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Montana Brewery Oral History Project, 2016-2017

Overview of the Collection

Creator
Warhank, Anneliese, Archivist/Oral Historian, Montana Historical Society
Title
Montana Brewery Oral History Project
Dates
2016-2017 (inclusive)
Quantity
20 .mp3 access files
20 .pdf access files
Collection Number
OH 2334 (collection)
Summary
The Montana Brewery Oral History Project includes 20 interviews from individuals who in some way helped shape the Montana craft beer industry in the 1980s and 1990s.
Repository
Montana Historical Society, Library & Archives
Montana Historical Society Research Center Archives
225 North Roberts
PO Box 201201
Helena MT
59620-1201
Telephone: 4064442681
Fax: 4064445297
mhslibrary@mt.gov
Access Restrictions

Collection is open for research.

Languages
English
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Historical Note

The Montana Brewery Oral History Project was established in 2016 by Anneliese Warhank, Archivist and Oral Historian at the Montana Historical Society in Helena. Its aim was to gather the stories from those individuals who worked in the brewing industry prior to and during the legislative debates surrouding the legalization of on-site sales. In the 1980's and 90's although breweries in surrounding states could sell full site pints directly to their customers through taprooms, Montana law prohibited the on-site sale (a residual effect of Prohibition). Something needed to change, so beginning in the 1995 Montana Legislative session a small group of Montana brewers brought forth a bill the modify the law. This bill was strongly opposed by the tavern owners of the state, who wanted to protect the interests of their own industry. The bill was defeated in 1995 and once more in 1997. It was not until an agreement was made with the Montana Taverns Association during the 1999 session that a revised version of the bill was passed into law.

While the first two interviews were conducted by Anneliese in 2016, a $4500 grant from Humanities Montana allowed the project to expand. An advisory board, comprised of members of the Montana brewing industry and Montana historians met in early 2017 to define the main interview topics and to identify potential individuals to interviews. With the assistance of a contract oral historian, an additional 18 interviews were conducted during the following spring and summer. A contract transcriptionist transcribed those 18 interviews in their entirety. All participants were given the opportunity to review these transcripts before they were posted online.

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Content Description

Montana Brewery Oral History Project (2016-2017) Includes 20 audio recordings and 20 transcripts collected as part of the project. All interviews with brewers cover the expectations they held when they first opened their doors vs. reality, the role they feel breweries play in the state socially and economically, and the source of their equipment and brewing supplies. Many also discuss the taproom bills presented in the 1995 (HB 554), 1997, and 1999 (HB 442) legislative sessions, as well as the 2017 bill to increase annual production limits from 10,000 bbl to 60,000 bbl for breweries with functioning taprooms (HB 541).

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Use of the Collection

Alternative Forms Available

Transcripts are available in both digital form and hard copy.

Restrictions on Use

Researchers must use collection in accordance with the policies of the Montana Historical Society. The Society does not necessarily hold copyright to all materials in the collection. In some cases permission for use may require additional authorization from the copyright owners. For more information contact an archivist.

Preferred Citation

Item description and date. Collection Title. Collection Number. Unique OH #. Montana Historical Society Research Center, Archives, Helena, Montana.

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Administrative Information

Arrangement

Interviews are predominantly arranged alphabetically by narrator's last name.

Acquisition Information

Acquisition information available upon request.

Separated Materials

Digital photographs were transfered from this collection to the MHS Photo Archives.

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Detailed Description of the Collection

  • Description: OH 2334_1: Kristi Blazer interviewKristi Blazer interview transcript
    1 digital audio files (.mp3 file 46 minutes, 24 seconds)
    0.1 linear feet (12 page transcript)
    Kristi Blazer interviewed July 14, 2017. Interviewed by Anneliese Warhank in Craig, MT. Discusses how she became a lobbyist for the Montana Beer and Wine Distributors Association, lobbying for the MBWDA during the '99 legislative session, concerns the MBWDA held with some of the earlier concepts for the taproom bill, any feedback or concerns expressed from the domestic breweries during the session, working with both microbreweries and domestic breweries, lobbying on the 2017 bill to increase annual production to 60,000 bbl, and the Alcohol Beverage Coalition.
    Dates: 2017 July 13
  • Description: OH 2334_2: Tim Bozik interviewTim Bozik interview transcript
    1 digital audio files (.mp3 file 80 minutes, 30 seconds)
    0.1 linear feet (21 page transcript)
    Interviewed June 21, 2017. Interviewed by Brain Shovers at Bitter Root Brewing Co. in Hamilton, MT. Tim discussed getting involved in the brewing business and beginning his brewery in the Bitterroot and revamping an old buidling, brewing and branding his beer, distribution issues, the brewery's set-up (equipment and drainage system). Jason discusses the Montana Brewery Association and the 2017 bill to raise the annual barrel rate to 60,000 bbl for 10,000 to retain rights to sell on-site.
    Dates: 2017 June 21
  • Description: OH 2334_3: John & Sandy Campbell interview
    1 digital audio files (.mp3 file 66 minutes)
    0.1 linear feet (9 page transcript)
    John and Sandy Campbell interviewed May 25, 2017. Interviewed by Anneliese Warhank at their home and former site of Lang Creek Brewing Co. in Marion, MT. Discusses getting involved in the homebrewing scene in Montana, entering in to the brewing business. Brewing, bottleing and distributing their beer across the Pacific Northwest, meeting Beer Critic Michael Jackson who visited their brewery. Selling their brewery and eventually being involved in the shuttering of the brewery's doors. How they've stayed in the brewing community.
    Dates: 2017 May 25
  • Description: OH 2334_4: Brian Clark interviewBrian Clark interview transcript
    1 digital audio files (.mp3 file 59 minutes, 11 seconds)
    0.1 linear feet (13 page transcript)
    Interviewed May 24, 2017. Interviewed by Anneliese Warhank at Fun Beverage Inc. in Kalispell, MT. Discusses the history behind the three-tier system, the distributions rights of brewers in the state of Montana, how he got involved in the beverage distribution business and becoming a supporter of smaller craft breweries in the 1980's, working with bars and grocery stores to sell the product, working with Montana breweries such as Bayern and Big Sky in the 1990s, lobbying on the tap room bills during the '95, '97' and '99 state legislative sessions, working with the domestic out-of-state breweries,
    Dates: 2017 May 24
  • Description: OH 2334_5: Todd Daniels interviewTodd Daniels interview transcript
    1 digital audio files (.mp3 file 85 minutes, 56 seconds)
    Interviewed March 29, 2017. Interviewed by Brain Shovers in Bozeman, MT. He discusses purchasing Kessler Brewing Co. in the 1990s, distribution issues, the formation of the Montana State Brewers Association, lobbying for taproom bills presented at the 95, 97, and 99 state sessions, choosing to shut down brewing operations.
    Dates: 2017 March 29
  • Description: OH 2334_6: Dan Fallon interviewDan Fallon interview transcript
    1 digital audio files (.mp3 file 30 minutes, 9 seconds)
    0.1 linear feet (7 page transcript)
    Dan Fallon interview July 18, 2018. Interviewed by Brian Shovers in Helena, MT. Discusses how his family came to own what would eventually become McDantim. How his father, Mert Fallon, an aerospace engineer, developed a gas blending system, the McDantum Trumix Blender, that had a dramatic impact on draft beer and can be found in bars and taprooms all across the U.S. and the U.K. Working with local restaurants and breweries in Helena in the '90s, and the roles he feels taprooms play in Montana today.
    Dates: 2017 July 18
  • Description: OH 2334_7: Tim France interviewTim France interview transcript
    1 digital audio files (.mp3 file 34 minutes, 56 seconds)
    0.1 linear feet (8 page transcript)
    Interviewed June 21, 2017. Interviewed by Brian Shovers at Worden's Market in Missoula, MT. Discusses how he became the owner of Worden, selling homebrewing equipment in the store, selling beer from some of Montana's earlier craft breweries and regional breweries in the '80s as well as international beers, how he determines what beers to carry and what Montana beer's have sold the most in his store, canning the beer, working with distributors, his thoughts on the brewing laws in the state.
    Dates: 2017 June 21
  • Description: OH 2334_8: Jim Haider interviewJim Haider interview transcript
    1 digital audio files (1 .mp3 file 20 minutes, 24 seconds)
    0.1 linear feet (7 page transcript)
    Interviewed July 6, 2017. Interviewed by Brain Shovers in Helena, MT. Discusses how he learned the craft as a homebrewer, opening Sleeping Giant Brewing Co. in the mid-90's, distributions issues, the formation of the Montana State Brewers Association, lobbying for the taproom bills in the '95, '97, and '99 legislative sessions.
    Dates: 2017 July 6
  • Description: OH 2334_9: Hal Harper interviewHal Harper interview transcript
    1 digital audio files (1 .mp3 file 33 minutes, 12 seconds)
    0.1 linear feet (8 page transcript)
    Interviewed April 14, 2017. Interviewed by Brian Shovers in Helena, MT. Discusses how he got interested in politics and became elected as a state representative. Also discusses his efforts to sponsor bills in the '95 and '97 legislative session in attempt to legalize on-site sales at breweries.
    Dates: 2017 April 14
  • Description: OH 2334_10: Sam Hoffman interviewSam Hoffman interview transcript
    1 digital audio files (1 .mp3 file 42 minutes, 16 seconds)
    0.1 linear feet (13 page transcript)
    Interviewed June 7, 2017. Interviewed by Anneliese Warhank at Red Lodge Ales in Red Lodge, MT. Discusses learning the craft as a homebrewer, starting Red Lodge Ales in Red Lodge in the late 90's, distributing his beer as a self-distributor, obtaining brewing equipment and supplies, opening his first taproom, bottling, building a new brewery, language surrounding the hours beer can be served and consumed in taprooms and the allowance of decks and patios, operating his brewery under a brewer's license and selling his beers in a taproom under a beer and wine license, his thoughts on the 60,000 bbl legislation in the '17 legislative session, the Alcohol Beverage Coalition, branding.
    Dates: 2017 June 7
  • Description: OH 2334_11: Jurgen Knoller interviewJurgen Knoller interview transcript
    1 digital audio files (1 .mp3 file 86 minutes, 53 seconds)
    0.1 linear feet (21 page transcript)
    Interviewed May 8, 2017. Interviewed by Anneliese Warhank at Bayern Brewing Co. in Missoula, MT. Discusses how he came to Missoula to work at Bayern Brewing in the 1980's. Building a customer base, bottling and distribution in the early years to modern day. Lobbying for the tap room bills in the 1990s. Implementing a taproom into the brewery and the rules and regulations he had to comply with. Branding of the beer. Lobbying for the 60,000 bbl limit increase in the 2017 legislative session.
    Dates: 2017 May 8
  • Description: OH 2334_12: Steve Lozar 2017 interviewSteve Lozar 2017 interview transcript
    1 digital audio files (1 .mp3 file 80 minutes, 57 seconds)
    0.1 linear feet (15 page transcript)
    Interview April 8, 2017. Interviewed by Anneliese Warhank at the Montana Historical Society. Topics include the effects of prohibition on the brewing industry in the state of Montana from the 1910s through the modern era.
    Dates: 2017 April 8
  • Description: OH 2334_13: Jim Lueders interviewJim Lueders interview transcript
    1 digital audio files (1 .mp3 file 32 minutes, 43 seconds)
    0.1 linear feet (8 page transcript)
    Interview April 24, 2017. Interviewed by Brian Shovers at Wildwood Brewery in Stevensville, MT. He discussed getting involved in the homebrewing scene in Missoula in the 80's, working at Bayern, working to start Wildwood in Stevensville, and distribution issues.
    Dates: 2017 April 24
  • Description: OH 2334_14: Brad Martens interviewBrad Martens interview transcript
    1 digital audio files (1 .mp3 file 28 minutes, 17 seconds)
    0.1 linear feet (7 page transcript)
    Interviewed May 16, 2017. Interviewed by Brain Shovers at the Rhinoceros Bar in Missoula, MT. Discusses opening the Rhino Bar in the 80's and what prompted him to feature a wide variety of craft beer, the Alcohol Beverage Coalition, his views on the taproom bills in the 90's and the 60,000 bbl increase passed in the 2017 legislative session, and his relationship with breweries.
    Dates: 2017 May 16
  • Description: OH 2334_15: Bjorn Nabozney interviewBjorn Nabozney interview transcript
    1 digital audio files (1 .mp3 file58 minutes, 45 seconds)
    0.1 linear feet (14 page transcript)
    Interviewed April 24, 2017. Interviewed by Brian Shovers at Big Sky Brewing Co. in Missoula, MT. Discusses how he and his schoolmates built up the idea for the brewery from a school project and how they implemented those plans into a legitimate business. How they've branded their beer. Distributing and legal issues they've encountered with domestic breweries. How the 2017 60,000 bbl bill would affect their brewery whose production rate has always restricted them for selling beer on-site.
    Dates: 2017 April 24
  • Description: OH 2334_16: Tim O'Leary interviewTim O'Leary interview transcript
    1 digital audio files (1 .mp3 file 75 minutes, 8 seconds)
    0.1 linear feet (15 page transcript)
    Interviewed May 16, 2017. Interviewed by Brian Shovers at KettleHouse Brewing Co. founded in Missoula, MT and interviewed at their third location in Bonner, MT. Discusses learning how to brew beer as a homebrewer and getting into the business running a U-Brew brewery in the mid '90s in Missoula, branding the brewery and beer, distribution issues and working with tavern owners, operating a brewery with multiple locations including the new location in Bonner, MT, the Montana State Brewers Association and lobbying for the taproom bills in the '95, '97, and '99 legislative sessions.
    Dates: 2017 May 16
  • Description: Oh 2334_17: Max Pigman interviewMax Pigman interview transcript
    1 digital audio files (1 .mp3 file 39 minutes, 39 seconds)
    0.1 linear feet (10 page transcript)
    Interviewed May 1, 2017. Interviewed by Brian Shovers at Lewis & Clark Brewing Co. in Helena, MT. Discusses how he learned the craft as a homebrewer, purchasing the Sleeping Giant Brewing Co. in 2002, changing the name to Lewis & Clark Brewing Co. and branding his beer, distribution issues, operating his brewery under a brewer's license and selling his beers in a taproom under a beer and wine license, growing his brewing operation, the brewing process, canning his beer.
    Dates: 2017 May 1
  • Description: Oh 2334_18: Todd Scott interviewTodd Scott interview transcript
    1 digital audio files (1 .mp3 file 62 minutes, 59 seconds)
    0.1 linear feet (12 page transcript)
    Interviewed July 6, 2017. Interviewed by Brian Shovers at Bozeman Brewing Co. in Bozeman, MT. Discusses his brewery branding, how he got in to brewing beer, working at Spanish Peaks Brewing Co., starting Bozeman Brewing Co. and revamping an old building, canning and distribution. Montana State Brewer's Association and the Montana Brewer's Association.
    Dates: 3017 June 30
  • Description: OH 2334_19: Steve Lozar 2016 interviewSteve Lozar 2016 interview transcript
    1 digital audio files (1 .mp3 file 70 minutes, 36 seconds)
    Interviewed January 29, 2016. Interviewed by Anneliese Warhank at his Montana Beer Museum in Polson, MT. Discusses how the first brewers in the territory brewed their beer, obtained their supplies, and distributed their product. Discusses how the industry grew as the territory became a state, communities and towns forms, and breweries became staples across the land, common styles of beer brewed, how breweries operated prior to the establishment of the three-tier system, the large impact prohibition had on both breweries and related industries, the pro-temperance movement in the state, how some breweries survived during prohibition and their efforts to start brewing again during the Great Depression and into the World War II era, advertising efforts of breweries and how they connected with their communities, the original Montana State Brewers Association, the eventual demise of Montana breweries in the 1950's and 1960's, and what spurred the rebirth of the craft brewing industry in Montana in the 1980's.
    Dates: 2016 January 29
  • Description: OH 2334_20: Brian Smith interviewBrian Smith interview transcript
    1 digital audio files (1 .mp3 file 95 minutes, 32 seconds)
    0.1 linear feet (22 page transcript)
    Interviewed March 21, 2016. Interviewed by Anneliese Warhank in Helena, MT. Discusses how he learned the art of brewing through homebrewing, opening a homebrewing supply store in Helena in the 1990's (Howling Wolf), transitioning to a microbrewery, his extensive lobbying for the taproom bills in the 1995, '97, and '99 legislative sessions, transitioning from a homebrew supplier to starting a brewery, how brewery taprooms differ from bars, how their brewing practices have evolved, and how the industry statewide is evolving.
    Dates: 2016 March 21

Names and SubjectsReturn to Top

Subject Terms

  • Beer--Montana.
  • Brewing.
  • Oral history--Montana.

Personal Names

  • Warhank, Anneliese (interviewer)

Corporate Names

  • Bayern Brewing Co.
  • Big Sky Brewing Co.
  • Bitter Root Brewing Co.
  • Blackfoot River Brewing Co.
  • Bozeman Brewing Co.
  • Fun Beverage Inc.
  • Kessler Brewing Company (Helena, Mont.)
  • KettleHouse Brewing Co.
  • Lang Creek Brewing Co.
  • Lewis & Clark Brewing Co.
  • McDantim Gas Blending Technologies
  • Montana Beer and Wine Distributors Association
  • Red Lodge Ales
  • Rhinoceros Bar
  • Sleeping Giant Brewing Co.
  • Wildwood Brewing Co
  • Worden's Market

Geographical Names

  • Breweries--Montana.

Other Creators

  • Personal Names

    • Blazer, Kristi, Lobbyist for the Montana Beer and Wine Distributors Association (narrator)
    • Bozik, Tim, Owner Bitter Root Brewing Co. (narrator)
    • Campbell, John and Sandy, Former owners Lang Creek Brewing Co. (narrator)
    • Clark, Brian, President of Fun Beverage Inc. (narrator)
    • Daniels, Todd, Former owner Kessler Brewing Co. (narrator)
    • Fallon, Dan, Owner McDantim Gas Blending Technologies (narrator)
    • France, Tim, Owner Worden's Market (narrator)
    • Goeltz, Jason, General Manager Bitter Root Brewing Co. (narrator)
    • Haider, Jim, Former owner Sleeping Giant Brewing Co. (narrator)
    • Harper, Hal, 1948-, Former Montana State Representative (narrator)
    • Hoffman, Sam, Owner Red Lodge Ales (narrator)
    • Knoller, Jurgen, Owner Bayern Brewing Co. (narrator)
    • Lozar, Steve (narrator)
    • Lueders, Jim, Owner Wildwood Brewing Co. (narrator)
    • Martens, Brad, Owner Rhinoceros Bar (narrator)
    • Nabozney, Bjorn, Owner Big Sky Brewing Co. (narrator)
    • O'Leary, Tim, Owner KettleHouse Brewing Co. (narrator)
    • Pigman, Max, Owner Lewis & Clark Brewing Co. (narrator)
    • Scott, Todd, Owner Bozeman Brewing Co. (narrator)
    • Shovers, Brian (ivr)
    • Smith, Brian, Owner Blackfoot River Brewing Co. (narrator)

    Corporate Names

    • Montana Brewery Oral History Project (fmo)

Anneliese Warhank
2018

CC Attribution
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

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