A Much-Belated MBA Oktoberfest Recap
Due to some illness in the BarBEERians family, we’re a little slow in getting the recap of the Montana Brewers Association Oktoberfest up on the site. Don’t fret, however; here it is!
Needless to say, we were blown away by the first ever Oktoberfest celebration. The organization was stellar and the number of beers on tap was wonderful. Picking our top ten or even our favorites would be impossible; every brewery showed why Montana is a strong (if not the strongest) state for brewing in America. The Bozeman Fairgrounds were a perfect setting and size for the event, and we’re already looking forward to the next even the MBA puts on. We know Oktoberfest will now be around for a long, long time.
We personally have to thank Tony Herbert, Executive Director of the MBA, as well as the the MBA members and brewers/brewery employees for making the event run as smoothly as it did. Special thanks clearly have to go to our friends at the hometown Blackfoot River Brewery, Brian Smith especially, as well as our new friend Jason Goeltz from Bitterroot Brewing. You’re truly the beer ambassador of Montana. We also have to thank Corine Selby for graciously offering her basement as a place to sleep after a long night of fun and brews. We also have to thank all of the small breweries in Montana that really showed up and had a good time with the event (looking at you, Wibaux folks!). Lastly, a big thank you to everyone we’re missing. I’m sure there are plenty that we are, and we apologize, but needless to say if we forgot a few, you can blame all the delicious beers. We’ll try to remember better next time!
I’ve included a bunch of pictures from the event after the jump. Be sure to check them out.
Lee, Alan, and Miles enjoying one of many pints on the night.
Another shot of the crowd at the MBA Oktoberfest.
Sean and Trevor from the Blackfoot River Brewery. Both clearly enjoying the event.
Friends of the BarBEERians enjoy the Oktoberfest celebration in Bozeman.
The Wibaux crew took our award for craziest and most jovial at the event.
More than a few beers were lost during the duration of the night. Sad times.
Two of the beautiful BarBEERettes.
Matt
Matt is a freelance journalist, fiction, and nonfiction writer. He recently graduated from the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor with a degree in English and a subconcentration in creative writing. Matt enjoys watching Arsenal soccer games, Michigan football, and all things beer—especially stouts and anything imperial. He can be reached at mbemery@gmail.com.
