Muddy Creek Brewery: Hot Break!

[SeeMont]

Muddy, As someone who was at and working at the MBA Fest, Congrats. Glad you finally got that Mud out of your kegs. Loved the Pumkin as well as your stout. Look forward in visiting your establishment. For the rest of you, This beer was voted the best from over 150 entries, was some tough competition. Good Job.

 

[brewshki]

Congrats!

 

[MuddyCreek]

Thank you SeeMont. I asked Chris about that keg and he said he had to pour quite a bit out to get it cleared up. We don't filter aside from cold crashing and pulling the yeast cake off the bottom of the ferms as well as the brites before we keg. Unfortunately, both the first and last keg tend to have a bit of extra mud in them.

Clearly I need to pay some extra attention to this. I was really hoping we could compete the stout a bit more aggressively. (A really wonderful beer Ivan the Terrible won the Stout/Porter competition, but I was hoping our Muddy Creek Stout might have a shot.) I'm wondering if clarity isn't part of our issue there. We'll work more diligently on this going forward.

 

[SeeMont]

You stout was great, I know your stout was in the running but that is a tough area at least this year. I came back to thirds on your brews. For a brewery that has only be open for a few months, you have done great, There was a lot of competition and a lot of great brews.

 

[MuddyCreek]

I really appreciate that. We've worked very hard. Thank you.

 

[Punity]

oh btw its called KICK kettle fining now that im at work.

 

[MuddyCreek]

Well, tonight the award winning pumpkin ale goes on tap at the brewery. We're also going to start sending out kegs officially for distribution regionally starting next week.

We'll start slowly, but over the next months we hope to be distributing a pretty impressive chunk of product over the state. We may even try to save up for a canning run or two.

In local news, we have a newspaper article coming out Sunday talking about the festival and I'll be putting out a couple pale ales for Halloween. One is our standard pale ale, and the other, I believe we'll be putting on Nitro as a nod to our well-respected friends at Kettlehouse who occasionally put their pale Eddy Out on nitro.

We have a 3rd beer, the single malt that should be coming out pretty soon after aging as well. Big Johnson Single Malt will be making it's world debut sometime in the next few weeks after we feel it's aged enough.

We're planning a pretty exciting Halloween party! Costumes, Music, Prizes and Ghost Stories featuring the historic buildings in the area (including our own.) It ought to be a good time.

 

[rlmiller10]

We have a 3rd beer, the single malt that should be coming out pretty soon after aging as well. Big Johnson Single Malt will be making it's world debut sometime in the next few weeks after we feel it's aged enough.

Does that Big Johnson refer to a line of t-shirts that was out about 25 years ago? http://www.bigjohnson.com/ actually I guess they are still around.

 

[MuddyCreek]

No, it doesn't refer to them specifically, although I remember those shirts well. I was in middle and high school when they were strictly forbidden. The folks who donated the fresh hops are surnamed "Johnson" and so we went with "Big Johnson".

 

[Punity]

How did the hop profile turn out in that one? I know it was just a guess but interesting to hear what it ended up doing.

 

[MuddyCreek]

It's kegged and aging as I type. I will draw some this afternoon and let you know. Last I tasted it, Big Johnson was very mild. (As you'd expect with the fresh hops. Kat, my other brewer made it as a bitter.) I think we may put it on the Randall to zip it up a bit when we serve it, although it is very smooth now.

I will see if I can identify the hops family after a tasting or two. If I can't I'll ask a few other people to taste it and lend their palates. I have no doubt we can narrow down the hops. In terms of bitterness, I would expect we're looking at something in the 15 to 20 IBU range. It's really very mild.

 

[MuddyCreek]

Big Weekend!

We headed off to the Ales for Trails benefit in Anaconda MT this weekend. We also provided beer for our local Roller Derby team's home bout as well as their after-party and I brewed another batch of the Jack Smashed Pumpkin ale on Sunday.

Overall, quite a busy, very nearly overwhelming weekend.

We had a great time in Anaconda. The Ales for Trails benefit was a blast. They had a ton of people and we ended up serving nearly a barrel of beer. (three different products, our stout, our amber and an I.P.A.) We love helping different community oriented groups and this one is really great as they actually purchase 1/2 of the products. So that's awesome.

We've been really happy to sponsor the local Roller Derby team and this weekend they won their home bout. So that was GREAT! They ladies have worked their tails off and really improved and it's been amazing watching them get better and better. Last week we did a fund-raiser for them in the taproom and gave 1/4 of all the pint sales to their club as well as an additional $100 if there were more than 100 pints sold. Well, they made it. So we happily wrote the check and gave them the fundraising donation.

The team is called the Copper City Queens (Butte MT's nickname is "The Copper City") and we'll be putting a special row of mugs in our "Fishin' Hole" mug membership for the Queens. Later on, when I can get to this thread from another machine I'll add some photos of the queens from their fundraising party. They're quite a lovely group of ladies.

 

[MuddyCreek]

Another weekend has come and gone. So I can't quite figure out to track the migratory patterns of craft beer drinkers. If somebody ever gets around to tranq'ing, tagging and monitoring one of these critters for a few years I'd sure like to see the data.

last week we were really slow. Course there were other events going on so that's not all that surprising. I was being a bit facetious about the whole tracking thing. This weekend was much much better. In fact it was downright great.

It's starting to feel as though the weather is beginning to pull people back indoors and hunting season is winding down a bit. Montana's long cold season is about to begin in earnest and that's probably a good thing for us. (Hey, it's a business.)

And the last bit of good news, we brewed a true hefeweizen last week. So far the fermentation (just a day or so in now) is going very strong so I'm excited to see how she comes out. In other news, our second batch of the Jack Smashed Pumpkin ale turned out perfectly. That will come out just in time to replenish our dwindling supply.

In other news, we picked up three new handles locally this weekend. We're very pleased about that.

 

[MuddyCreek]

Hey, we're starting to get out into the world! We've begun distributing around the state a bit. Exciting stuff. You can now find Muddy Creek beer in neighboring Missoula, Helena and Bozeman. Soon we'll expand into Great Falls and Billings as well.

I'll get a list of the places were in from our distributor and post them. I know there aren't too many Montana, Idaho folks, but for those of you who are on here - You can enjoy Muddy Creek if you like.

 

[Subdivisions]

Hey, we're starting to get out into the world! We've begun distributing around the state a bit. Exciting stuff. You can now find Muddy Creek beer in neighboring Missoula, Helena and Bozeman. Soon we'll expand into Great Falls and Billings as well.

I'll get a list of the places were in from our distributor and post them. I know there aren't too many Montana, Idaho folks, but for those of you who are on here - You can enjoy Muddy Creek if you like.

I just noticed you're on Galena St. Ever thought of doing an all Galena beer??

Congrats on the success so far!!

 

[Punity]

Just wanted to thank Muddy publicly.

I recently suffered a disaster in my life and he's been nothing but forth coming with well wishes and offers of support. Even though we are states away its nice to have people so close.

I hope to get back on my feet here soon and couldn't do it without people like Muddy in my life.

 

[MuddyCreek]

That's nice but I'm worried about you right now.

Punity and I have spent quite a bit of PM minutes talking about the various issues that small brewery guys like us have to work with on a day to day basis. We have fairly different situations but there is some common ground there that allows us to bounce ideas off one another in a really friendly and collaborative environment.

We've talked about everything from recipe ideas to scaling to distribution. We've even talked about the challenges of visiting with an appeasing extraordinary brewers like you fine folks. The number one rule there, never stop listening - as you all have so much passion for brewing you clearly put a great deal of thought and care into what you're doing. Therefore it only makes good sense to pay attention and listen.

Anyway, Punity has had something pretty terrible happen professionally. I'll let him fill you in on the details if he wishes. Act of God kind of thing. It pretty much sucks but at the same time it perhaps leaves an opportunity.

I just think you need to look at this is a chance to do things the way you want to do them from the start and use your experience and skills to capitalize. I know it's hard.

Keep your chin up and keep kicking.

 

[treacheroustexan]

That's nice but I'm worried about you right now.

Punity and I have spent quite a bit of PM minutes talking about the various issues that small brewery guys like us have to work with on a day to day basis. We have fairly different situations but there is some common ground there that allows us to bounce ideas off one another in a really friendly and collaborative environment.

We've talked about everything from recipe ideas to scaling to distribution. We've even talked about the challenges of visiting with an appeasing extraordinary brewers like you fine folks. The number one rule there, never stop listening - as you all have so much passion for brewing you clearly put a great deal of thought and care into what you're doing. Therefore it only makes good sense to pay attention and listen.

Anyway, Punity has had something pretty terrible happen professionally. I'll let him fill you in on the details if he wishes. Act of God kind of thing. It pretty much sucks but at the same time it perhaps leaves an opportunity.

I just think you need to look at this is a chance to do things the way you want to do them from the start and use your experience and skills to capitalize. I know it's hard.

Keep your chin up and keep kicking.

Best wishes Punity. I saw that earlier today on social media.

 

[Punity]

Yea basically if anyone doesn't know here my brewery burnt down. Well "my" brewery, pretty much the one I was running but didn't own.

Now I'm at a crossroads of where to go with this. I have every option in front of me at the moment and it's just gonna take me some time to figure out what is best for me.

The dream is awlasy to own my own place and I think the universe is telling me it's time to explore those options but at the same time I feel like I just can't leave the previous owner in the dust.

However with people like Muddy and y'all here it does help to have others to lend an ear.

 

[MuddyCreek]

So co-own. 50-50 takes some financial pressure off you but gives you control over the brewing side.

;- )

Sorry, shouldn't be throwing extra stuff at you right now. I know you have alot to deal with. On another note... what if you just tell folks the beer is pasteurized!

 

[Punity]

So co-own. 50-50 takes some financial pressure off you but gives you control over the brewing side.

;- )

Ha yea if that was possible. Hes already let it be known there isn't a possibility of me getting ownership stake but that was something I knew when I started there.

 

[MuddyCreek]

Well there ya go then.

 

[Punity]

Haha true story. I might just be a rebel and do both.....I can make that work right? Sleep is a crutch.

 

[MuddyCreek]

And this is the part I hate.

We had a brewer leave. Kat - our first employee moved to Seattle. We're a little sad, but the world continues to spin. So we had to hire a new brewing assistant. I'll have to go through the process of teaching somebody the ins and outs of the brewery. We had 7 candidates in total, I interviewed 6. 3 were really pretty good, 2 were excellent.

I had some choices. I could go with a couple people part time, 1 person part time, 1 person full time, etc. My 2 excellent choices have brewing experience. (Home brewers.) They both have made some beer. One guy has brought some in, it was pretty good. They both submitted recipes. They both interviewed well.

1 works at a local restaurant two or three nights a week, the other goes to school and has a family. What I really want to do is hire a part time guy and work him/her into a full time position, training that person to eventually handle brews, transfers, racking, kegging, etc. That will take some time, but you know - that's the hope.

Anyway, long story short - I had to go with one of the candidate and let the other one know I didn't choose to go that route right now. Basically, he has school and my concern in a nutshell is, as a pretty promising young brewer I know he's going to do well and I'm going to WANT to push him to go full time, but he can't. He's a student and has a family etc. That means I've got a part time guy that can't really evolve beyond that. Which would be fine if that was all he/she was ever going to be - but this guy has some real promise. Know what I mean? So I would be really tempted and frustrated at the same time because I'd have to hire ANOTHER part time person also with brewing experience to make up the other half of the shift and then I'd eventually be wanting to give THAT person more hours.

But it sucks because, you know, I'm human. I hate to tell somebody "I'm not hiring you because ultimately I'm trying to do you a favor." It doesn't seem like that when you get the notification that you didn't get the job. On the other hand, When you don't have a boss that's asking you to stay a bit later when you have a test coming up in two days or wanting you to skip a trip to your in-laws (Well that MAY be a bonus...) or whatever else you may find that it wasn't such a bad thing not getting the job.

Still, it kinda sucks. I really like the guy. We have a great candidate for the job. Every bit as good as the one we couldn't hire. I was thrilled to get two guys with such solid backgrounds. I just wish I could take them both.

Well there you have it. You want the dirt - there's some grimy dirt. When Non-HR guys have to do the HR stuff.

 

[WilliamSlayer]

That.... was an awesome problem to have.

 

[brewshki]

So going well?

 

[WilliamSlayer]

Bet the holidays kicked their butt. Craft beer is IN right now. Hope lots of folks were enjoying a 'winter warmer ' courtesy of Muddy Creek!

 

[MuddyCreek]

Sorry guys. Been busy. We did have a bit of a rush over the holidays. We also sent off to a competition in Oregon. Unfortunately we did not medal, however we enjoyed the opportunity to compete again.

We are once more expanding the brewhaus. We're buying some new equipment and I plan to be putting some stuff on the market soon. I don't know if anyone is looking for 10 bbl system, but if you are - let me know.

We're buying a slightly smaller but more agile system that will solve some of our power problems. We've been distributing around the state and we've also been putting somewhere in the zone of 9 distinct products in the taproom aside from our soft drinks. That means we've been busting ass to keep everything stocked up. Our 10 bbl system has been a trooper for us, but we really need something that can kick out batches a bit more quickly and it would be nice to have the flexibility to push out a 4 bbl batch now and then without having to do nearly as much work as an entire full batch.

So, we bit the bullet and picked something else up. We're excited about it although it will take a bit of getting used to the new system. I'm confident we'll be in good shape sooner than later though.

We spent our first year getting established and building a clientele. This is our year to really assert ourselves in the market place, expand our distribution both locally and regionally and focus on competing. We'd like to get some hardware if we can. As I said we attempted to medal in Oregon this month and fell short. There were many fine beers in the competition and we congratulate all the breweries who did medal and we hope to see you guys again next year.

For now we're focusing on improving our core product line across the board, introducing one or two new things and moving bit by bit into the higher end craft brewing spectrum. We started out intentionally brewing "everyman's" craft beer. We wanted to help people in our community begin the process of shifting away from MCB toward craft beers. Now that the process has begun and our clientele has a core of beers that they love, we are going to begin challenging them with more aggressive examples of craft beers and more progressive styles.

It's going to be a good year!

 

[brewshki]

Sorry guys. Been busy. We did have a bit of a rush over the holidays. We also sent off to a competition in Oregon. Unfortunately we did not medal, however we enjoyed the opportunity to compete again.

We are once more expanding the brewhaus. We're buying some new equipment and I plan to be putting some stuff on the market soon. I don't know if anyone is looking for 10 bbl system, but if you are - let me know.

We're buying a slightly smaller but more agile system that will solve some of our power problems. We've been distributing around the state and we've also been putting somewhere in the zone of 9 distinct products in the taproom aside from our soft drinks. That means we've been busting ass to keep everything stocked up. Our 10 bbl system has been a trooper for us, but we really need something that can kick out batches a bit more quickly and it would be nice to have the flexibility to push out a 4 bbl batch now and then without having to do nearly as much work as an entire full batch.

So, we bit the bullet and picked something else up. We're excited about it although it will take a bit of getting used to the new system. I'm confident we'll be in good shape sooner than later though.

We spent our first year getting established and building a clientele. This is our year to really assert ourselves in the market place, expand our distribution both locally and regionally and focus on competing. We'd like to get some hardware if we can. As I said we attempted to medal in Oregon this month and fell short. There were many fine beers in the competition and we congratulate all the breweries who did medal and we hope to see you guys again next year.

For now we're focusing on improving our core product line across the board, introducing one or two new things and moving bit by bit into the higher end craft brewing spectrum. We started out intentionally brewing "everyman's" craft beer. We wanted to help people in our community begin the process of shifting away from MCB toward craft beers. Now that the process has begun and our clientele has a core of beers that they love, we are going to begin challenging them with more aggressive examples of craft beers and more progressive styles.

It's going to be a good year!

Good luck!

 

[gl_az]

Sorry guys. Been busy. We did have a bit of a rush over the holidays. We also sent off to a competition in Oregon. Unfortunately we did not medal, however we enjoyed the opportunity to compete again.

We are once more expanding the brewhaus. We're buying some new equipment and I plan to be putting some stuff on the market soon. I don't know if anyone is looking for 10 bbl system, but if you are - let me know.

We're buying a slightly smaller but more agile system that will solve some of our power problems. We've been distributing around the state and we've also been putting somewhere in the zone of 9 distinct products in the taproom aside from our soft drinks. That means we've been busting ass to keep everything stocked up. Our 10 bbl system has been a trooper for us, but we really need something that can kick out batches a bit more quickly and it would be nice to have the flexibility to push out a 4 bbl batch now and then without having to do nearly as much work as an entire full batch.

So, we bit the bullet and picked something else up. We're excited about it although it will take a bit of getting used to the new system. I'm confident we'll be in good shape sooner than later though.

We spent our first year getting established and building a clientele. This is our year to really assert ourselves in the market place, expand our distribution both locally and regionally and focus on competing. We'd like to get some hardware if we can. As I said we attempted to medal in Oregon this month and fell short. There were many fine beers in the competition and we congratulate all the breweries who did medal and we hope to see you guys again next year.

For now we're focusing on improving our core product line across the board, introducing one or two new things and moving bit by bit into the higher end craft brewing spectrum. We started out intentionally brewing "everyman's" craft beer. We wanted to help people in our community begin the process of shifting away from MCB toward craft beers. Now that the process has begun and our clientele has a core of beers that they love, we are going to begin challenging them with more aggressive examples of craft beers and more progressive styles.

It's going to be a good year!

Wow, that is interesting. It is the first time I think I have heard of a successful brewery changing over to a smaller rig. I can certainly understand the desire for agile over brute bulk, but still...So for your more popular flagships then I assume you will either be brewing 2x as often or just doubling up on brew day?

I wish you, your partners and staff continued success and the best of luck!