Lewis and Clark Brewing Co. -- Helena, MT

Beautiful Helena, Montana with Mount Helena

I've been sidetracked with watching Mad Men and Lost -- catching up from what I missed during law school -- so its about time I finish up entries from our epic post-bar exam road trip.  My last entry was kind of depressing because Blackfoot Brewing's beers all need some improvement.  Helena, Montana's other brewery is Lewis and Clark Brewing Company (L&C) and their beers are much more impressive.  Unfortunately, we were there right between them moving out of their old location and moving to a new facility.

I've been following L&C on their facebook page and their new facility is really awesome.  They took an old paint factory (also formerly a jail and miscellaneous other things) and gutted it, made space for new brewing tanks, added equipment to allow them to can their beer (canning is good because it keeps the beer in darkness, in Montana glass recycling is virtually nonexistent, and its easier to store and ship).  Their new place also has a large tap room with enough space that they can have live music.

The L&C background: Helena had a brewery called "Sleeping Giant Brewing Company" and it was part of the Brewhouse Pub & Grill where the brewery was in the basement and the restaurant was upstairs looking down onto the brewery.  I'm not exactly sure what happened to Sleeping Giant, but they are no more.  L&C was founded in 1995, and moved into the Brewhouse where Sleeping Giant used to be about 10 years ago.  L&C has been gaining popularity over the years and outgrew the Brewhouse, hence the new facility.  If you're from Montana or familiar with its history the name "Lewis and Clark" is a no brainer, but for those that don't know, the name comes from the fact that explorers Lewis and Clark spent most of their journey in Montana and explored the Missouri River just outside of present-day Helena.

Even though we missed L&C's new tap room we made it to the Brewhouse and got L&C's sampler.  So here they are:

Yellowstone Beer -- 5.1% ABV -- L&C's lightest beer; very floral smelling; light golden straw color; light body but lots of taste which is because its top fermented

Miner's Gold Hefeweizen -- 5.2% ABV -- served with a lemon; L&C's most popular beer is brewed unfiled in an American wheat style; won a Gold Medal at the North American Brewers Association Brew Fest; fruity; like the Lemon Heights Hef at Tustin Brewing Company; Kiki gives it two thumbs up

Prickly Pear Pale Ale -- 5.9% ABV -- hoppy, but light for a pale ale; not much flavor at first but then it lingers

Lewis and Clark Amber Ale --5.7% ABV -- copper color; creamy and malty


Tumbleweed IPA --6.4% ABV -- This beer beat 98 other IPAs and won a gold medal winner at the Great American Beer Festival; recently voted the best IPA in Montana; hopped three times with Centennial and Cascade hops makes this one REALLY hoppy and floral; unique linger

Back Country Scottish Ale -- 5.9% ABV -- roasted black barley gives this beer a dark color; the barley is Montana grown; sweet; a little chocolate, a little roasted flavor; smooth

Overall, Lewis and Clark Brewing makes really good beer and I don't think any of them disappoint.  I think the Tumbleweed IPA and the Miner's Gold Hef were my favorites.  Next time I'm in Helena I will be sure to make it to L&C's new taproom!
 

 For anyone wondering where a name like "Sleeping Giant Brewing" comes from its because this mountain, which caps off the north end of the Helena valley, is called the "Sleeping Giant."