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Bayern Brewing, Inc.
Location1507 Montana St., Missoula, Montana, United States Missoula, Montana
Opened1987
Annual production volume10,000
Owned byJürgen Knöller
Websitehttps://www.bayernbrewery.com/
Active beers
Name Type
Bayern Amber Lager
Bayern Pilsner Lager
Montana Lager Lager
Dragon's Breath Lager
Inconceivable Lager
Seasonal beers
Name Type
St. Wilbur Weizen Lager
Oktoberfest Lager
Killarney Lager
Maibock Lager
Groomer Lager
Face Plant Lager
Dump Truck Lager
Dump Truck Citra Charged Lager
Doppelbock Lager
Dancing Trout Lager
Inactive beers
Name Type
30th Anniversary Celebration Pilsner Lager

Bayern Brewing, Inc. is located in Missoula, Montana, United States, and is the oldest brewery in the state. It was founded in 1987 by Trudy, Reinhard Schultz, and Donald Gamer. It is named after Bayern, the state located in the southeastern half of Germany. The brewery is focused on German food and beer and tries to implement environmentally friendly policies.[1]

History

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Founding 1987-2002

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Trudy Schulte, one of the original owners, came from a brewing dynasty in Bavaria and grew up in German brewing culture. The Schultes immigrated to Missoula from Bavaria and opened their bar, restaurant, and brewery on leased property soon after. Ironically, despite being in the same building and separated by a single door, Bayern was forced to go through a distributor to transport their beer from the brewery to their bar and restaurant combo due to Montana state law at the time. According to Montana state law, the brewery could also not be an official brewpub, as those were not legal to operate within the state at the time. During the first several years of operation, supplies, especially yeast, were difficult to come by. However, the euro was at a lower value than the dollar, making German equipment more accessible and cheaper than American machinery, despite its high quality. Then, in 1991, after the fall of the Berlin Wall and the reunification of Germany, the Schultes decided to sell their American dream and move back to their homeland, investing instead in former Soviet-occupied East Germany.[2] At this point, Jürgen Knöller, a fellow Bavarian and the Master Brewer of Bayern Brewing, stepped in and purchased the brewery.

Knöller has been the primary owner of Bayern Brewing since he purchased Bayern Brewing in 1991. His interest in brewing began when he was a teenager in Bavaria, Germany. Since the original owners and Knöller were raised in Bavaria, Germany, the brewery's name stems from their home, as Germans call Bavaria Bayern. Knöller graduated from Doemens' Masterschool for Brewing and Soft Drink Technology in Munich, after nine years of professional training. After he graduated in 1987, he was hired as the Master Brewer in the newly founded Bayern Brewing in Missoula, Montana. Knöller bought out the original owners in 1991 and has been running and operating Bayern Brewing ever since.[1] Bayern practices “Reinheitsgebot” or “the Bavarian Purity Law” which states that only water, hops, grain, and yeast may be used to brew beer and additives like fruits are to be left out.[3]

Expansion

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Knöller went on and hired the current master brewer, Thorsten Geuer. In 2002, after his years as an apprentice at the Hasbro Früh brewery in Cologne, Germany, his internship at Bayern, and finally his formal study at Berlin's brewing college, VLB Berlin, where Thorsten received his bachelor's degree.

Bayern Brewing has been situated in three distinct locations across Missoula, Montana throughout its history, and has moved twice to better accommodate its growing business. Initially, the brewery was located near the train depot in downtown Missoula, specifically on N. Higgins. Subsequently, Bayern Brewing developed a plant on 2600 S. Third St. W., and later expanded further to its current location at 1507 Montana St.

Previously, Montana state law capped craft brewery production at 10,000 barrels. Bayern had to continue growing without producing more than the 10,000 barrel limit. However, with the passing of House Bill 541 in 2017, production limits were raised to 60,000 barrels, giving Bayern room to expand further.[4] House Bill 541 was officially passed and signed in the Edelweiss Bistro by Governor Steve Bullock.[4] In 2017, Bayern began canning their beer for the first time and introduced a 32-ounce “crowler” can.[5]

Throughout its history, Bayern has remained committed to being a community-oriented business, commissioning local artist Monte Dolack to design some of its labels that include depictions of local wildlife and landscapes.[6] Dolack is responsible for designing most of the labels and advertisements for the beers produced and served at Bayern Brewing. He has designed the labels of some of the breweries' most notable brands: Doppel Bock, Pilsner, Dancing Trout, Maibock, and Oktoberfest.

Edelweiss Bistro

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In 2015, Bayern Brewing opened Edelweiss Bistro to generate more revenue. The bistro serves a variety of authentic German food, which is fresh and reflective of its Bavarian roots. Customers can choose a large variety of options, including käsespatzle, curry wurst, schnitzel, and sauerkraut.[7] Keeping with their tradition of sustainability, Knöller sources his pork from a local and humane provider, and purchases high-quality food.

Sustainability

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Knöller has made efforts to improve the sustainability of Bayern Brewing. The company has been recycling their glass bottles since 2010, and they have developed cardboard “eco-packs” as a way to motivate its customers to return glass bottles to Bayern. If customers bring in their eco-packs, which are reused and recycled, they are given a 5 cent discount on every bottle that they return. The eco-packs have a one-time deposit of 3 dollars, and the customer can keep reusing those eco-packs and receive discounts from Bayern Brewing. There are specific requirements for the bottles that Bayern Brewing can use, but all of the requirements are listed on the eco pack. Knöller invested in a custom-made bottle washing machine for Bayern Brewing in order to make their glass recycling process possible. According to Master Brewer, Geuer, “between 30 and 60 percent” of the glass they use is recycled. Bayern also donates its brewing waste to local farmers to feed cattle and other animals.

In 2007 Bayern began to phase out the name "Trout Slayer" for one of its best-selling beers. For much of the beer's history, it was known simply as "Light Wheat Ale" until it leased the name "Trout Slayer.” Kalispell businessman Brian Beck later trademarked it. Knöller did not want to continue to pay high licensing fees, and he wanted to rename the beer to reflect Bayern's more eco-friendly policies. In 2007, Knöller wanted to name the beer “Dancing Trout” for the beer to reflect Knöller's philosophy of environmental preservation.[8][9] The new Dancing Trout also became the Official Beer Sponsor of Montana's Trout Unlimited with a portion of its sales' profit donated to help preserve trout and their habitat.[10] A new Trout Slayer Ale with a different recipe was released by Big Sky Brewing Co. later that year.[11]

Products

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Knöller imports hops specific to Germany, and many of his beers adhere to the set standards of various German institutions.[12] Bayern produces many different beers specific to Germany, and they are produced in German fashion. They produce a Pilsner, a Doppel Weizen, Hefeweizen, Dark Marzen, and others.

Awards

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Beer Category Medal/Award Year Bestower
Bakken Bock German Bock Silver 2019 US Open Beer Championship[13]
Bayern Helles Lager Helles Lager Silver 2013 North American Beer Awards[14]
Dark Doppelbock German-Style Strong Doppelbock Gold 1999 North American Beer Awards[15]
Doppelbock German-Style Strong Doppelbock Silver 2001 North American Beer Awards[15]
Doppelbock Gold 2012 North American Beer Awards[16]
Doppelbock Bronze 2010 North American Beer Awards[17]
Dopple/Strong Bock Gold 2015 US Open Beer Championship[18]
Dopple/Strong Bock Bronze 2020 US Open Beer Championship[19]
Dragon's Breath Dark Heff South German-Style Dunkel Weizen/Weissbier Silver 2010 US Open Beer Championship[15]
Judges Award 2010 US Open Beer Championship[15]
German Wheat Silver 2012 US Open Beer Championship[20]
Dump Truck German-Style Heller Bock/Maibock Bronze 2010 US Open Beer Championship[15]
Face Plant German Wheat Bronze 2012 US Open Beer Championship
German Wheat Bronze 2014 US Open Beer Championship[21]
German Wheat Bronze 2016 US Open Beer Championship[22]
German Wheat Gold 2017 US Open Beer Championship[23]
Belgian-Style Wit (White), Kristall Weizen, DunkelweizenWeizen Bock Bronze 2022 North American Beer Awards[24]
Eisbock Strong Lager Gold 2024 Montana Brewers Association[25]
Maibock German-Style Heller Bock/Maibock Silver 2000 North American Beer Awards[15]
German-Style Heller Bock/Maibock Silver 2003 North American Beer Awards[15]
Bock Gold 2012 US Open Beer Championship
Bock Silver 2013 US Open Beer Championship
Montana Helles Lager Helles Lager Bronze 2015 North American Beer Awards
Munchner Helles Bronze 2013 US Open Beer Championships[26]
Pilsner German Lager/Pilsener Bronze 2012 US Open Beer Championship
Schwarzbier German-Style Schwarzbier Silver 1999 North American Beer Awards[15]
Schwarzbier Bronze 2015 US Open Beer Championship[18]
St. Walter Hefeweizen German Style Hefeweizen Bronze 2022 World Beer Cup[27]
Bavarian-Style Hefeweizen Gold 2022 North American Beer Awards[28]
Wheat Ale Gold 2024 Montana Brewers Association[25]

See also

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Other breweries in Missoula, Montana

Taprooms only

References

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  1. ^ a b Hampson, Tim (2008). The Beer Book. London: Dorling Kindersley. p. 19. ISBN 978-1405333016.
  2. ^ Acitelli, Tom (November 30, 2016). ""The Backstory on Montana's Oldest Brewery."". All About Beer Magazine.
  3. ^ ""Bayern Brewing Company."". Montana Office of Tourism.
  4. ^ a b Erickson, David (July 10, 2017). "Lawmakers gather in Missoula to celebrate raising brewery production limit". missoulian.com. Retrieved 2018-05-01.
  5. ^ "Bayern Brewing Releases Beer in Cans, Sets German Christmas Celebration Schedule". Growler Fills | Craft Beer Enthusiasm. 2017-12-04. Retrieved 2018-05-01.
  6. ^ Inbody, Kristen (July 27, 2016). "Bayern Brewing is Montana's oldest". Great Falls Tribune. Retrieved 2018-05-01.
  7. ^ Erickson, David (December 12, 2015). "Edelweiss Bistro: Bayern Brewing opens Missoula's only authentic German eatery". missoulian.com. Retrieved 2018-05-01.
  8. ^ Erickson, David. "Lawmakers gather in Missoula to celebrate raising brewery production limit". missoulian.com. Retrieved 2018-05-01. [verification needed]
  9. ^ Erickson, David. "Lawmakers gather in Missoula to celebrate raising brewery production limit". missoulian.com. Retrieved 2018-05-01. [verification needed]
  10. ^ "Bayern Brewing Releases Beer in Cans, Sets German Christmas Celebration Schedule". Growler Fills | Craft Beer Enthusiasm. 2017-12-04. Retrieved 2018-05-01. [verification needed]
  11. ^ "Bayern Brewing is Montana's oldest". Great Falls Tribune. Retrieved 2018-05-01. [verification needed]
  12. ^ "The Backstory on Montana's Oldest Brewery". All About Beer. November 30, 2016.
  13. ^ "2019 U.S. Open Beer Championship – Grand National Champion and Medal Winners". US Open Beer Championship. Retrieved 10 March 2024.
  14. ^ "NABA 2013 Winners" (PDF). North American Brewers. Retrieved 9 March 2024.
  15. ^ a b c d e f g h "Beer Me! — Bayern Brewing — Missoula, Montana, United States". beerme.com.
  16. ^ "NABA 2011 Winners" (PDF). North American Brewers. Retrieved 10 March 2024.
  17. ^ "NABA 2010 Winners" (PDF). North American Brewers. Retrieved 10 March 2024.
  18. ^ a b "2015 U.S. Open". US Open Beer Championship. Retrieved 10 March 2024.
  19. ^ "2020 U.S. Open Beer Championship – Medal Winners". US Open Beer Championship. Retrieved 10 March 2024.
  20. ^ "2012 U.S. Open". US Open Beer Championship. Retrieved 10 March 2024.
  21. ^ "2014 U.S. Open". US Open Beer Championship. Retrieved 10 March 2024.
  22. ^ "2016 U.S. Open". US Open Beer Championship. Retrieved 10 March 2024.
  23. ^ "2017 U.S. Open Beer Championship Medals Winners & Grand National Champion". US Open Beer Championship. Retrieved 10 March 2024.
  24. ^ "NABA 2022 Winners" (PDF). North American Brewers. Retrieved 6 March 2024.
  25. ^ a b "2024 Montana Beer Awards Winners". Montana Brewers Association. Retrieved 14 March 2024.
  26. ^ "2013 U.S. Open". US Open Beer Championship. Retrieved 10 March 2024.
  27. ^ "Montana Breweries bring home two gold and two bronze from World Beer Cup". Montana Brewers Association. 10 May 2022. Retrieved 4 March 2024.
  28. ^ "NABA 2021 Winners" (PDF). North American Brewers. Retrieved 6 March 2024.


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