Ten Mile Creek Brewery, 48 N. Last Chance Gulch, Helena, MT 59601 phone: 406-502-1382  
website: TenMileCreekBrewing.com Hours: Open 12 - 8pm daily

Experience before you go............

So many wild fires, it's so dry, and the smoke, there's so much smoke it's kind of hard to breathe! But I've got to tell you, spending a long weekend with your niece, her hubby and their 5 loving and well behaved kiddos all under 12 years old was well worth any black lung my wife and I might develop when we're in our 70's and 80's. Helena, Montana....home of the Fighting Saints of Carroll College. Great little college town with lots to offer and some very nice breweries to boot.

So on Saturday while walking the downtown area and we walk right by Ten Mile Creek Brewery. Since its 1:45 in the afternoon and we'd just finished a big lunch, no one wanted to join me. And since we started this HoppinBreweryTour.com more than a year ago, it's very difficult for me to first of all drive by a brewery, let alone walk by one.......so in I went.

Ten Mile Creek is a very nice space with an outdoor front patio area that leads into the main brewery that's warm and inviting. Along the right wall is the bar without bar stools....great idea!! The bar also appears to be a little higher so bellying up to the bar is what I did. Carly from LaCrosse, Wisconsin who attended University of Wisconsin-Stout greets me with a big smile and a warm welcome. Now since I lived in LaCrosse and graduated from Stout, Carly and I were instant best buds. I told her to fix me up with a flight of what they're known for so Carly started to pour. First up was The Grass - Lemongrass Wheat Ale (6.0%, 25 IBU), next up was the Betelgeuse - IPA (7.0%, 65 IBU) then we had the Queen City - Pale Ale (6.1%, 56 IBU) and bringing up the rear we finished off with Last Chance - Porter (6.1%, 29 IBU). My favorite was the Betelgeuse which is pronounced just like the Michael Keaton movie....brewed with Montana 2 - row malted barley, a touch of white wheat malt and El Dorado hops has huge juicy tropical fruit flavor with pear watermelon and stone fruit aromas.

To my right, up walks Clancy. He's one of the many Montana Firefighters who are in the middle of fighting all of these wild fires that are a result of a very dry and hot summer out west. Clancy works 9 days and gets 2 off, so he's at one of his favorite breweries for a cold one. He was recognized as being good with a chainsaw which led to the start of a career fighting these dangerous fires. And this late summer, early fall has been a real doozy! But as of this last weekend, they got some much needed rain and snow and the fires are mostly out. Clancy also does perimeter clearing during the off season, which is cutting down the trees in a 600 foot diameter clearing around homes and businesses creating a safe zone which protects the structure.....that's a lot of firewood. Be careful out there Clancy and it was great meeting & talking with you.

This tour was one of six during our 10 days in Montana/Wyoming/Idaho. So hang on to your mugs and come along with us as we experience some fabulous breweries.

Until next time and remember.........

Go get'cha one!!