Issue link: https://www.e-digitaleditions.com/i/1453344
Headwaters Crafthouse TEXT BY MARK BAUNE BEER MAN S MT 20 | SIGNATURE MONTANA A Hop and a Tap Above The Rest GREAT FALLS HELENA HAVRE The Beverage Company If there is one thing that Montana has down, it's the fantastic breweries located within the Treasure state. And there's nothing beer than a freshly pulled pint of my favorite beer. According to the Brewer's Association, at the end of 2020, nearly 9000 breweries and brewpubs were licensed to operate in the United States. Montana's breweries are no slackers either; they rank right up there with the best of them. I recently visited one with a top-notch selection of 40 rotating taps, with microbrews not only from Montana but from around the globe. Whether you're a cra beer junkie, an aspiring beer connoisseur, or just like to drink, Headwaters Crahouse in Helena is bringing a whole new level of satisfaction to happy hour. Power couple Joan and Michael More introduced central Montanans to a world of cra beers when they opened Headwaters Crahouse last April. Aer selling her popular Helena eatery, Murry's, Joan was anxious to launch her savvy business experience into something else. When Farmers State Bank advertised space for lease in its new digs, she knew it was time to combine her skills with Michaels's passion and extensive home brewing knowledge of beer and plunge headfirst into a new adventure. While the cra brewing phenomenon has its roots in tradition, today's brewery is an experience where the seing is as much of a draw as the dra selection. Headwaters Crahouse is no exception. is hip and cleverly designed taproom offers a diverse list of 40 rotating selections, including 31 microbrews from Montana and around the globe, seven wines, and two non-alcoholic beverages on tap. e extensive beer list rotates consistently, and those seeking to try a variety of brews can take advantage of a carefully curated beer flight. e Mores quickly 86ed printed menus opting for a more modern approach to showcasing their offerings. ree, soon to be four, digital menu boards, all organized by tap number and updated in real-time, are prominently displayed on the massive windows behind the bar. ey don't serve food, but you are welcome to bring your own to enjoy with their offerings. I like to sit back and enjoy my good fortune with the likes of Deschutes Brewery's Abyss series, a barrel-aged Imperial Stout. Its hints of molasses, licorice, and other flavors make it something not just to quaff but contemplate. I have plenty of time to do just that, especially at 13% ABV. Another good one is the Rusty Nail from Fremont Brewing in Seale, WA. is Imperial Stout begins life as e First Nail, an oatmeal stout of epic proportions with brewer's licorice, smoked barley, and pale malt and is aged on cinnamon bark. It becomes e Rusty Nail aer spending 15 months in 12-year-old bourbon barrels. It's a definite palate pounder that leaves you wanting another sip, and at 13.3% ABV, sipping is warranted. Oskar Blues Ten FIDY is another bourbon barrel-aged Imperial Stout. At 12.5% ABV, the notable flavors of vanilla, oak, and bourbon permeate the pitch-black depths of FIDY. ese are just a few of my favorites, but with 40 rotating taps, there is always an excuse to visit, revisit and visit again. Till next time…cheers! • Beer Man Headwaters is open om 12 noon to 8 p.m. Sunday through Wednesday and 12 noon to 9 p.m. ursday through Saturday. A live tap list is available to peruse on the business' website. www.headwaterscrahouse.com Michael and Joan More opened Headwaters Crafthouse, 2125 Last Chance Gulch, last April within the new Farmers State Bank in Helena, MT.