Two Montana breweries use one of the oldest standing football rivalries in the country as the back- bone for a collaboration brew bet.

If you live anywhere in the state of Montana, chances are you’ve heard of the age-old rivalry between the University of Montana and Montana State University... especially when it comes to the annual “Brawl of the Wild” football game. This November, in it’s 117th year, the game gave two Montana breweries the chance to raise the stakes a bit.

Draught Works Brewery, in Missoula, challenged Bozeman-based MAP Brewing Company to a challenge based on the outcome of the football game, played this year in Bozeman. The brewery based in the winning team’s hometown would host the brewery based in the losing team’s home- town to create a a collaboration beer. Not only would the beer be brewed and sold at the winning team’s taproom, but the losing brewery would also have to send their brewers dressed in the winning team’s colors to the collaboration brew day.

After a week of friendly back-and-forth on social media, on November 18th, both breweries fol- lowed the game anxiously. Although the Grizzlies fought hard and got off to an early lead, they couldn’t hold the Bobcats back, and Montana State University emerged victorious with a score of 31-23.

The bet was lost and Draught Works’ fate was sealed. MAP Head Brewer Doug Child and Draught Works’ Head Brewer Kyle Sillars will be brewing an Imperial Stout together on Monday, December 18. Both men are excited to collaborate, even though the crew from Missoula isn’t too excited about donning Bobcat colors for the day. “We’re excited to work with such a great brewery,” said Child, “and I can’t wait to invite them back to taste the final product.”

ABOUT MAP BREWING COMPANY

Map Brewing Company opened its doors in October of 2015. Started by Patrick Kainz and Dash Rodman, the goal of Map is simple - craft and drink great beer. Through hard work, enthusiasm, and passion, we know that every great adventure starts with a Map.