Festival in Whitefish features Montana-made spirits

Providing the opportunity to taste and learn more about Montana-made spirits, the Montana Distillers Guild is holding its fourth annual Distiller’s Festival this month in Whitefish.

The festival is Saturday, April 22 from 2:30-6 p.m. at Grouse Mountain Lodge.

The Montana Distiller’s Guild was formed in the fall of 2014 by a group of small-batch distillers and their supporters, dedicated to promoting this fast-growing industry representing a perfect triangle of manufacturing, agriculture and tourism. Montana distilleries use a diverse majority of Montana agricultural products in their process from traditional wheat, rye and barley to Flathead cherries, home-grown potatoes and locally harvested apples.

The festival will showcase 12 distilleries from around Montana: Bozeman Spirits Distillery, Dry Hills Distillery, Glacier Distilling Company, Spotted Bear Spirits, Whistling Andy Distillery, Headframe Spirits, Willie’s Distillery, Whistling Andy Distillery, Lakeside Distillery, Westslope Distillery, Portal Spirits Distillery, and Montgomery Distillery.

Attendees can expect samples of craft cocktails, spirits and light bites. VIP tickets cost $60 and include early admission from 2:30-3:30 p.m., eight drink tickets, commemorative glassware and a Montana Whiskey 101 class. General admission tickets cost $40 with doors opening at 3:30 p.m. and include six drink tickets and commemorative glassware.

“Twelve distilleries from around the state in one room offers a unique experience for folks to sample the diverse range of spirits being made in Montana,” said Guild Vice President and Director of Fundraising Lauren Oscilowski, with Whitefish’s Spotted Bear Spirits.

Tickets are available online via the Montana Distiller’s Guild website at montanadistillers.org. A limited number of tickets will also be available at the door.