Tap into Montana: A Brew Mecca

Livingston fest partners with Montana Brewer’s Association to celebrate craft brews

New & Notable

Tap into Montana and the Montana Brewer’s Association have teamed up for the fifth annual Tap into Montana Brew Fest, April 13 in Livingston. Twenty-nine Montana breweries will gather at Miles Park along the Yellowstone River to serve up samples of their brews to beer lovers from around the state.

The celebration of Montana craft beer kicks off with a week of craft-beer-related events April 7-13, culminating with the brew fest 3-7 p.m. Saturday (the VIP hour is from 2-3 p.m.).

Tap into Montana
Swing your partner to music by Chad Okrusch and Friends with local favorites, The Fossils.Photo © Erik Petersen Photography

Chad Okrusch and Friends with local favorites, The Fossils, headline the stage. Local food will be available for purchase from Zac’s Montana BBQ, Farmgirl Pizzeria, and The Office. New this year is the Ale-Lympics, featuring feats of strength and competitions by brewery industry professionals.

Tap into Montana is the only brew fest in the state that is founded and run by women: producer Rachel Anderson and Lanette Jones, co-owner of Katabatic Brewing. “The brewing industry is dominated by men and the fact that we are a woman-owned operation is certainly unique,” says Anderson. “This community is full of craft beer lovers and this event draws breweries and attendees from all over the state.”

She adds that the festival’s new partnership with the Montana Brewer’s Association “just made sense for us.” The MBA is a statewide association of breweries organized for the purpose of promoting the production and sales of the freshest and highest quality Montana made beers. The MBA currently hosts three Rendezvous Beer Festivals throughout the year.

“We couldn’t think of a more natural partner to help us continue to grow this already established event,” says Anderson. A portion of the proceeds from this year’s brew fest will benefit both the MBA and local community organization Montana Matriarch.

“Tap into Montana has proven to be a well-organized, successful event that our brewery members love being part of,” said Matt Leow, executive director of the Montana Brewer’s Association. “We are thrilled to be partnering with them for this year’s brew fest.”

Brew Fest Lowdown

Tap into Montana
“I love seeing the community pull together in celebration of Montana craft beer,” says Craft Beer Week and Tap into Montana co-founder Rachel Anderson.Photo © Erik Petersen Photography

Entrance into the brew fest includes a sampler glass and unlimited samples (no tokens or tickets required). Regular admission tickets are $30 in advance or $35 at the gate.

A limited number of VIP tickets are available for $100 and include entry into the brew fest an hour early as well as entry into the VIP/Brewer’s Dinner event the night before brew fest at the new Neptune’s Taphouse and Eatery, with free beer from Neptune’s and Katabatic, a catered dinner and a chance to hang out with brewers from around the state.

Tickets are on sale now at www.tapintomt.com or can be purchased locally in Livingston at Markouture, Katabatic Brewing, Neptune’s Brewery and The Office Liquor Store.

WindRider Shuttle will provide a free shuttle service to the brew fest from several locations around town between 1:30 and 7:30 p.m. Stops at The Buckhorn, Neptune’s Brewery, and The Office Lounge will run on a loop all afternoon. In addition, special room rates are available for those traveling from out of town at the Yellowstone Pioneer Lodge. YPL will also provide shuttle transportation to and from the brew fest.

Craft Beer Week

“I love seeing the community pull together in celebration of Montana craft beer,” says Anderson of the weeklong undertaking. “Business throughout town host beer-related events and people really look forward to attending those. It gives our businesses a boost during the shoulder season, before the tourists begin arriving for the busy summer.

Craft Beer Week events occurring throughout Livingston during the week leading up to the brew fest include:

  • All week: Special Beer and Food Pairings at The Murray Bar all week long.
  • Tuesday, April 9: Beer Trivia at Office Lounge and Beer Move at Neptune’s Brewery
  • Wednesday, April 10: Beer and Cheese Pairing at UnCorked; Beer and Bingo at The Office Lounge; and Beer Maven Beer 101 Class at Katabatic Brewing
  • Thursday, April 11: Beer Mile (begins at Neptune’s, ends at Katabatic); Blind Beer Tasting at the Office Liquor Store; and Darts and Beer Cocktails at The Whiskey Creek Saloon
  • Friday, April 12: Creek to Peak Soapbox Pre-Derby Show and Calcutta at The Buckhorn; Tap into Montana VIP & Brewer’s Dinner at Neptune’s Taphouse and Eatery; live music from the Dusty Pockets and Firestone Walker Tap Takeover at The Attic
  • Saturday, April 13: third annual Creek to Peak Adult Soapbox Derby at Myers Lane; Feel the Draft at United in Light Draft Horse Sanctuary; and Tap into Montana Brew Fest at Miles Park.