SiG
MT
20
Text by Mark Baune BEER MAN
NOW AVAILABLE
GREAT FALLS
HELENA
HAVRE
The
Beverage
Company
malt
Munich, Vienna, Victory
hops
Perle, Hersbrucker
adjunct
n/a
5.9% 15
4.4
4.0
O K T O B E R F E S T
-Tis The Season-
OKTOBERFEST
It's interesting to think about cra breweries as an indicator of larger civic revival. For as
long as I can remember, doctors, lawyers, doctors, lawyers, accountants, mail carriers and the
average joe gathered for a pint at the business day's end and the local pub or tavern provided a
haven "where everybody knows your name."
Today that haven is the local taproom of cra breweries mostly established by young
entrepreneurs who are hell bent on renewing their small town's downtown vibrancy. In fact, a
recent study by C+R Research found that cra breweries are becoming a major part of Montana's
business landscape and, if you dig into data collected by the Montana Brewers Association, you
will find that the Big Sky state is ranked second nationwide, with roughly 80 breweries –about
9.6 per capita. e annual economic impact from breweries, according to the Montana Brewers
Association, is about $417 million statewide, with roughly 800 direct jobs. It's not surprising since
Montana is the nation's second leading producer of malt, and with key ingredients in abundance it
makes sense why there are so many breweries scaered across our fine state.
In my travels, I'm always on the lookout for the local people magnet, the place that draws the
curious beer lover in to try a pint of locally made IPA. Recently, I found myself surrounded by
the Crazy, Big Snowy and Lile Belt mountains in the small central Montana town of Harlowton.
If you are familiar with the history of this town, you may recognize the 106-year-old Montana
Bar building. is historic landmark became home to Gally's Brewing, the brainchild of brother
and sister team, Drew Galahan "Gally" and Shanda Speed. eir story is similar to other brewery
entrepreneurs, they too are enhancing their economically challenged community by providing
jobs and offering a gathering place where patrons can swap stories and share ideas.
Being third generation "Gallys", Drew and Shanda found the name very fiing as their Grandpa
Harold and Grandma Bessie ran a store called Gally's Variety Store located on the same street in
the '60s. It was oen referred to as the "Five and Dime", which explains why their flagship beer is
called the Five and Dime, a tasty 4-malt blonde ale with 5% ABV, 10 IBU's and nice citrusy notes.
e 1913 porter is fantastic and worth the drive to Harlowton! It's a smooth English style porter
that checks in at 7% ABV and 18 IBU's. It's packed with roasted and chocolaty flavors with a nice
alcohol balance.
e 8 Second IPA checks in at 8.8% ABV and 100 IBU's. It has eight varieties of Northwest hops
finished with steam-distilled hop oil from Glacier Hops Ranch in Whitefish, MT. e hops and
the hop oil make this an intense but delicious brew… my hat's off to their hand-craed perfection.
ey have a line-up of heavy hiers on tap that are prey darn good. So, grab your buddy and a
designated driver and head over to Harlowton. You won't be sorry you did!
Cheers, Beerman
BEERONOMICS
Build It, Brew It, and They Will Come
