Brewery goes big
<p>A view from the floor of the Flathead Lake Brewing Company in Bigfork as one of two new tanks is delivered through the roof of the building on Thursday morning, April 7. Director of Brewery Operations David Brendgard said, “We are really excited about the growth of the craft brew industry in the state of Montana. We fell honored to be a part of what is happening here.” (Brenda Ahearn/Daily Inter Lake)</p>
<p>Employees at the Flathead Lake Brewing Co. move two new tanks into place on Thursday, April 7, in Bigfork. According to Director of Brewery Operations David Brendgard the new tanks, one with a capacity for 60 barrels and one with a 120 barrel capacity, are project to increase productivity by 2,000 barrels per year. (Brenda Ahearn/Daily Inter Lake)</p>
<p>Chuck Harmon of Harmon Crane and Rigging, Inc., hoists the first of two new tanks which were delivered to the Flathead Lake Brewing Co. on Thursday, April 7, in Bigfork. (Brenda Ahearn/Daily Inter Lake)</p>
<p>Stacks of cans of the Flathead Lake Brewing Co. Centennial IPA. According to Director of Brewery Operations David Brendgard the brewery will be releasing their Two River Pale Ale in cans starting in May. They are also in the process of making an aromatic ale exclusively for Glacier National Park called Lone Walker. (Brenda Ahearn/Daily Inter Lake)</p>
Flathead Lake Brewing Co. in Bigfork on Thursday added a pair of new tanks to its arsenal of brewing equipment, effectively increasing the brewery’s capacity by 25 percent.
Around 10 a.m., crews began dropping the new tanks through the roof of the brewing shop after using a crane to pull out a removable section of the roof.
David Brendgard, director of brewery operations, said the roof was designed with a modular piece because brewery staffers expected to increase capacity at some time. That time, he said, came a lot earlier than expected.
“Last summer was the first time at this location and we were already at capacity,” Brendgard said. “This will definitely streamline the process for the brewery.”
Brendgard said bright new beer tanks — 3,720 and 1,860 gallons — should boost capacity by 25 percent.
They will be used in the finishing phase of the brewing process, where the beer is carbonated before it’s packaged. The first beer to be run through the new tanks will be the Two Rivers Pale Ale, which then will be canned for the first time.
Brendgard said the growth is reflective of the success of not just Flathead Lake Brewing Co., but brewers throughout the industry.
“It speaks volumes about how well-received craft beer is in Montana,” he said.
The tanks were trucked to Bigfork from Wisconsin.
For more information on Flathead Lake Brewing Co., visit www.FlatheadLakeBrewing.com.
Reporter Seaborn Larson may be reached at 758-4441 or by email at slarson@dailyinterlake.com.