RAISE A GLASS TO CRAFT BEER AND COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS

AT GARDEN CITY BREWFEST 2025

Often imitated but never replicated, Montana’s original and largest beer festival will take place Saturday, May 3, in Caras Park in Downtown Missoula. This year’s event will feature over 60 beers, ciders, hard seltzers, and wines. Garden City BrewFest will take place from 12-7 pm and features local food trucks and live music from two Missoula-based bands and a favorite local DJ.

Kicking of the festival is local favorite DJ Coach Shane (12-1:30 pm). Next, bluegrass group Spruce Alley Sally will be on stage 2-4pm. Closing out the night, Joan Zen brings the dance party with its R&B/funk sound to the Caras Park stage from 4:30-7 pm.

While Garden City BrewFest is admission-free for all to enjoy, those interested in sampling the brews can purchase a 7-ounce commemorative glass, wristband, and four tokens for $20. Additional tokens are 2 for $3.00. Back by popular demand, five hundred 12-ounce glass steins will be available for purchase at $30, which includes the wristband and four tokens. Food can also be purchased from some of Missoula’s favorite food vendors: Big Dipper Ice Cream, Clove Cart Pizza, M-80 Chicken, Puma Peruvian, Raven Mad Concessions, and River City Eats. The Sentinel Kiwanis Club will also be serving up brats, a long-standing tradition for this event. Proceeds from sales at the Sentinel Kiwanis booth support youth in the Missoula community.

One aspect that sets this event apart from others around Missoula is the Garden City Beer Awards, judged and provided by Missoula’s local brewing club, the Zoo City Zymurgists, who sample and judge each beer for a variety of awards that will be presented around 4:30 pm.

In addition to enjoying the brews, food vendors, and music, locals can also sign up for a Cornhole Tournament organized by students in the University of Montana Entertainment Management (UMEM) program. The price is $10 per two-person team, and each team is guaranteed two games in the double-elimination tournament. Prizes include custom-made cornhole boards, gift cards from local merchants, tickets to shows at the Kettlehouse Amphitheater, and a trail ride with lunch for two at Paws Up.

Started in 1992, the event was originally called BRIW Fest, as the creators of the event were Bayern Brewing, the Rhinoceros, the Iron Horse, and Worden’s Market. It was the first brewfest in recent Montana history and offered special beers that were not typically available for purchase. The event was gifted to the Missoula Downtown Association in 2003 and has served as a major fundraiser for the organization’s projects and programs.

Major sponsors for this year’s Garden City BrewFest include Bayern Brewing, Stockman Bank, Trail 103.3, Jackson Contractor Group, MariMint, Republic Services, and TDS Fiber.

Garden City BrewFest coincides with opening day of the Saturday Markets in Downtown Missoula. Community members are encouraged to bike, walk, or utilize Mountain Line to travel to events. If driving, ample parking is available in the Central Park, Park Place, and ROAM parking garages. Parking is free throughout Downtown on weekends. Garden City BrewFest attendees are encouraged to drink responsibly and get a safe ride home. For more information, visit www.missouladowntown.com/garden-city-brewfest or call the Downtown Missoula Partnership at 406-543-4238.