First-ever Craft Beer Relay planned in Bigfork

On Saturday Oct. 3, two rapidly growing trends will collide at Flathead Lake Lodge in Bigfork at the first ever Craft Beer Relay.

More than 1,000 participants will play games, run relays and drink beer at the event, which organizers say is the first of its kind.

Chase Averill of Flathead Lake Lodge had the idea for the event.

“I think from a business standpoint, it’s smashing two emerging industries together,” he said. “The fun run/adventure running and craft beer industries. That, and it seemed like a lot of fun.”

Participants in teams of four will play beer-related games and run relay legs while tasting beer from 12 Montanan breweries. Those breweries include Kalispell, Great Northern, Tamarack, Flathead Lake, Mighty Mo, Philipsburg and Cabinet Mountain brewing companies, among others.

Racers will play games such as tire bowling, giant beer pong and giant flip cup. Keg croquet is another game in which participants will steer an empty keg through a predetermined course like a giant version of the posh lawn game croquet.

Averill said the idea was based on a similar event people have been doing for years.

“The beer mile is kind of where the idea came from,” he said. “But this event will not be as binge-minded. There will be 12 sampling stations along the course and racers will only be drinking about a pint during the race.”

The beer mile is a timed drinking event where racers run a lap on a 400-meter track, drink a beer, then do it three more times. Averill and Road Creek Events employee Rob Brisendine, who helped plan the event, didn’t want to create too much of a “college” atmosphere.

“We’re looking to have fun in a more responsible manner,” Brisendine said. “We’re not seeing college-aged people come out. We’re seeing older people sign up.”

Brisendine has experience in the Flathead Valley, helping organize and put on events such as the Pond Hockey Tournament and Montana Dragon Boat Festival.

“In terms of logistics, with the blend of talent we have around here, we are not strangers to this type of event,” he said. “This is the first of this event and kind of a test model.”

Brisendine said he plans on bringing similar craft beer relays to craft beer cities such as Portland, Seattle, San Diego and Austin, Texas.

Teams can still sign up until Wednesday, Sept. 30. Teams are limited to four people at a cost of $140. Live music at the Flathead Lake Lodge will run from 4 to 8 p.m. Racers get a T-shirt and growler for signing up and winning teams can win prizes such as free beer for a year to the brewery of their choice.

The event begins at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Oct. 3 and the first races start at 1 p.m. with heats running every 20 minutes. Teams are coming from Montana, Canada and the Pacific Northwest.

“It’s going to be mass chaos I guess, in its best form,” Averill said.

To sign up visit www.craftbeerrelay.com.