Raise a Glass at the 32nd Annual Garden City BrewFest
RAISE A GLASS AT THE 32ND ANNUAL GARDEN CITY BREWFEST
Montana’s Original BrewFest is Back on Saturday, May 2
Montana’s original and irreplicable beer festival is back, taking place Saturday, May 2, at Caras Park in Downtown Missoula. This year’s event will feature over 60 beers, ciders, hard seltzers, wines, and a mimosa bar. Garden City BrewFest will take place from 12–7 pm and features local food trucks, live music from two Missoula-based bands, and a favorite local DJ, as well as a few pop-up vendors.
Kicking off the festival is local favorite DJ Coach Shane (12–1:30 pm). Next, a group that brings charm to any Missoula event, Mudslide Charlie, will be on stage from 2–4 pm. 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.
This will be the first major event to inaugurate the new canopies on the Caras Park pavilion and bandstand stage following their recent replacement and repainting in April. To accompany this special celebration, there will be a few “side quests” beyond beer that attendees can engage with. This includes a flower stand by Farm Hand Farm, a unique and funky apparel bar by 208 Tees, and, back by popular demand, axe-throwing offered by Pine & Iron. Paws Up will also have a presence, offering beer pong—play for a chance to win extra beer tokens!
While Garden City BrewFest is free for all to enjoy, those interested in sampling the brews must purchase a 7-ounce commemorative glass, wristband, and three tokens for $20. Additional tokens are $2 each. This event will also include 700 12-ounce glass steins for purchase at $30, which includes a wristband and three tokens. These are anticipated to sell out within the first two hours of the event, so get there early!
Food can also be purchased from some of Missoula’s favorite vendors: Big Dipper Ice Cream (weather permitting), Cruz Tacos, Servin’ Thyme, Puma Peruvian Cuisine, Raven Mad Concessions, and River City Eats. The Sentinel Kiwanis Club will also be serving up brats, a long-standing tradition at 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 presented by Missoula’s local brewing club, the Zoo City Zymurgists, where judges sample and evaluate each beer across a variety of categories. Awards will be presented around 4:30 pm.
Started in 1992, the event was originally called BRIW Fest, as the creators of the event were Bayern Brewing, the Rhinoceros, 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 since served as a major fundraiser for the organization’s projects and programs.
Major sponsors for this year’s Garden City BrewFest include Stockman Bank, Cranky Sam Brewing, the Trail 103.3, Jackson Contractor Group, and Plumb-Tech Plumbing and Heating. A special thanks to Paws Up, Mountain Hot Tub, A&E + SMA Design, Pink Grizzly, and Adventure Brews for their continued support of this event over multiple years.
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 (Downtown routes run approximately between 8:30 am and 10:30 pm) to travel to the event. 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 secure a safe ride home.
For more information, visit www.missouladowntown.com/garden-city-brewfest or call the Downtown Missoula Partnership at 406-543-4238.