MTLohbrewery.xml Guide to the Montana Brewery Oral History Project 2016-2017 Montana Brewery Oral History Project Anneliese Warhank Montana Historical Society, Research Center Archives 2018
225 North Roberts PO Box 201201 Helena, MT 59620-1201 mhslibrary@mt.gov https://mhs.mt.gov/research
Finding aid encoded by Anneliese Warhank2018. English Finding aid based on DACS (Describing Archives: A Content Standard), 2nd Edition. English Montana Historical Society, Research Center Archives OH 2334 Warhank, Anneliese, Archivist/Oral Historian, Montana Historical Society Montana Brewery Oral History Project 2016-2017 20 .mp3 access files 20 .pdf access files 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. English

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.

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).

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

Transcripts are available in both digital form and hard copy.

Collection is open for research.

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.

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

Acquisition information available upon request.

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

This collection is indexed under the following headings in the online catalog. Researchers desiring materials about related topics persons, or places should search the catalog using these headings.

Warhank, Anneliese Lozar, Steve Shovers, Brian Blazer, Kristi, Lobbyist for the Montana Beer and Wine Distributors Association Bozik, Tim, Owner Bitter Root Brewing Co. Goeltz, Jason, General Manager Bitter Root Brewing Co. Campbell, John and Sandy, Former owners Lang Creek Brewing Co. Clark, Brian, President of Fun Beverage Inc. Daniels, Todd, Former owner Kessler Brewing Co. Fallon, Dan, Owner McDantim Gas Blending Technologies France, Tim, Owner Worden's Market Haider, Jim, Former owner Sleeping Giant Brewing Co. Harper, Hal, 1948-, Former Montana State Representative Hoffman, Sam, Owner Red Lodge Ales Knoller, Jurgen, Owner Bayern Brewing Co. Lueders, Jim, Owner Wildwood Brewing Co. Martens, Brad, Owner Rhinoceros Bar Nabozney, Bjorn, Owner Big Sky Brewing Co. O'Leary, Tim, Owner KettleHouse Brewing Co. Pigman, Max, Owner Lewis & Clark Brewing Co. Scott, Todd, Owner Bozeman Brewing Co. Smith, Brian, Owner Blackfoot River Brewing Co. Montana Brewery Oral History Project Montana Beer and Wine Distributors Association Bitter Root Brewing Co. Lang Creek Brewing Co. Fun Beverage Inc. Kessler Brewing Company (Helena, Mont.) McDantim Gas Blending Technologies Worden's Market Sleeping Giant Brewing Co. Red Lodge Ales Bayern Brewing Co. Wildwood Brewing Co Rhinoceros Bar Big Sky Brewing Co. KettleHouse Brewing Co. Lewis & Clark Brewing Co. Bozeman Brewing Co. Blackfoot River Brewing Co. Breweries--Montana. Beer--Montana. Brewing. Oral history--Montana. Foods and Nutrition Oral Histories Kristi Blazer interview OH 2334_1 1 digital audio files .mp3 file 46 minutes, 24 seconds 0.1 linear feet 12 page transcript 2017 July 13 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. Tim Bozik & Jason Goeltz interview OH 2334_2 1 digital audio files .mp3 file 80 minutes, 30 seconds 0.1 linear feet 21 page transcript 2017 June 21 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. John & Sandy Campbell interview OH 2334_3 1 digital audio files .mp3 file 66 minutes 0.1 linear feet 9 page transcript 2017 May 25 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. Brian Clark interview OH 2334_4 1 digital audio files .mp3 file 59 minutes, 11 seconds 0.1 linear feet 13 page transcript 2017 May 24 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, Todd Daniels interview OH 2334_5 1 digital audio files .mp3 file 85 minutes, 56 seconds 2017 March 29 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. Dan Fallon interview OH 2334_6 1 digital audio files .mp3 file 30 minutes, 9 seconds 0.1 linear feet 7 page transcript 2017 July 18 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. Tim France interview OH 2334_7 1 digital audio files .mp3 file 34 minutes, 56 seconds 0.1 linear feet 8 page transcript 2017 June 21 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. Jim Haider interview OH 2334_8 1 digital audio files 1 .mp3 file 20 minutes, 24 seconds 0.1 linear feet 7 page transcript 2017 July 6 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. Hal Harper interview OH 2334_9 1 digital audio files 1 .mp3 file 33 minutes, 12 seconds 0.1 linear feet 8 page transcript 2017 April 14 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. Sam Hoffmann interview OH 2334_10 1 digital audio files 1 .mp3 file 42 minutes, 16 seconds 0.1 linear feet 13 page transcript 2017 June 7 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. Jurgen Knoller interview OH 2334_11 1 digital audio files 1 .mp3 file 86 minutes, 53 seconds 0.1 linear feet 21 page transcript 2017 May 8 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. Steve Lozar 2017 interview OH 2334_12 1 digital audio files 1 .mp3 file 80 minutes, 57 seconds 0.1 linear feet 15 page transcript 2017 April 8 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. Jim Lueders interview OH 2334_13 1 digital audio files 1 .mp3 file 32 minutes, 43 seconds 0.1 linear feet 8 page transcript 2017 April 24 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. Brad Martens interview OH 2334_14 1 digital audio files 1 .mp3 file 28 minutes, 17 seconds 0.1 linear feet 7 page transcript 2017 May 16 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. Bjorn Nabozney interview OH 2334_15 1 digital audio files 1 .mp3 file58 minutes, 45 seconds 0.1 linear feet 14 page transcript 2017 April 24 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. Tim O'Leary interview OH 2334_16 1 digital audio files 1 .mp3 file 75 minutes, 8 seconds 0.1 linear feet 15 page transcript 2017 May 16 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. Max Pigman interview Oh 2334_17 1 digital audio files 1 .mp3 file 39 minutes, 39 seconds 0.1 linear feet 10 page transcript 2017 May 1 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. Todd Scott interview Oh 2334_18 1 digital audio files 1 .mp3 file 62 minutes, 59 seconds 0.1 linear feet 12 page transcript 3017 June 30 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. Steve Lozar 2016 interview OH 2334_19 1 digital audio files 1 .mp3 file 70 minutes, 36 seconds 2016 January 29 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. Brian Smith interview OH 2334_20 1 digital audio files 1 .mp3 file 95 minutes, 32 seconds 0.1 linear feet 22 page transcript 2016 March 21 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.