Brewfest to raise money for trail
Gateway to Glacier Trail is featuring the third annual Pints-for-Paths Brewfest on the lawn at Heaven’s Peak Restaurant in West Glacier from 5 to 10 p.m. July 13.
This year’s Brewfest will feature more than 10 breweries, including a new entry from Desert Mountain Brewing, the valley’s newest brewery located in Columbia Falls. Other breweries featuring their best ales, ambers and lagers include Bitter Root Brewery, Flathead Lake Brewing Co., Blackfoot River Brewing Co., Madison River Brewing, Great Northern Brewery, Tamarack Brewing Co., Big Sky Brewing, Bayern Brewing, Ninkasi Brewing Co. and Glacier Brewing Co.
The special addition of a brewed soda tent is featured this year.
Live music will be provided by Shakewell, a band that delivers high-energy dance music with a groove guarantee. Heaven’s Peak Restaurant will feature barbecue favorites for a fresh, summer dinner to complement the variety of brews available.
The fun actually starts July 12, with a Pedaling Poker Run bike ride along the proposed route. Make a weekend of it and enjoy a variety of beers, live music, delicious food and Glacier Park views.
The event is a fundraiser for the Gateway-to-Glacier Trail. The trail is the vision of a separated bike and pedestrian path along U.S. 2 connecting the Flathead Valley with Glacier National Park.
Funds are being raised to build a section connecting Coram with West Glacier, approximately seven miles. It will connect to an existing 3.5-mile trail running from Hungry Horse to Coram. A separated path will be a safety benefit for locals cycling to Glacier Park and cross-country cyclists visiting the park on tours.
Completion of the full trail will connect Glacier National Park with more than 100 miles of trails in the Flathead Valley and beyond.
Gateway-to-Glacier Trail needs to raise maintenance funds and a local match to a variety of grants to make this vision a reality. The trail has been awarded a Flathead County Community Transportation Enhancement Program grant of $840,000 for trail construction costs. In order for the trail to have access to this CTEP program grant, the remaining funds need to be raised within one year. To date, Gateway-to-Glacier Trail has raised 89 percent of the necessary funds.
In addition the trail has been the recipient of grants from BNSF, the Cinnabar Foundation, Plum Creek Foundation and the Dennis and Phyllis Washington Foundation.
Admission to the brewfest is $15 per person in advance or $20 at the gate. Advance ticket locations include the Stonefly Lounge on U.S. 2 in Coram, the West Glacier Bar in West Glacier and the Hungry Horse Liquor Store on U.S. 2 in Hungry Horse.
The admission fee includes five tasting tickets, but additional tickets will be available for purchase.
For more information, visit gatewaytoglacier.com, find Gateway-to-Glacier Trail on Facebook or contact Biddy Simet at 250-4188 or biddys@hotmail.com.