2024 Schedule

Check out the Conference program for a full list of sessions, descriptions, and speakers!

Wednesday, september 18

2:00 - 5:00 pm

  • Water Chemistry and Adjustments for Brewing with Dr. Chris Palmer - Professor of Analytical Chemistry and Brewing Science, University of Montana and Dr. Bob Hall - Professor - Stream Ecology, Flathead Lake Biological Station and Board Member, Ronan Coop Brewery (University of Montana Campus)

6:00 - 8:00 pm

  • Welcome, Trade Show Set-up, and Registration (Rotunda)

  • Welcome Beers at Dram Shop (229 E. Front St.)

thursday, september 19

8:00 - 9:00 am

  • Registration (Rotunda)

  • Breakfast (Salon D)

9:15 - 10:55 am

  • Plenary Session (Salon D)

    • Welcome Address with Ethan Kohoutek - Board President, Montana Brewers Association

    • Video Messages with Sen. Jon Tester and Sen. Steve Daines

    • State of Montana Beer with Matt Leow - Executive Director, Montana Brewers Association

    • Keynote: Vibe Shift - Finding Beer’s Opportunities in the Age of Cross-Category Drinking with Kate Bernot - Lead Analyst, Sightlines

11:00 - 11:55 am

  • Breakout Sessions

    • Figuring Out Off-Flavors with Mark Bergstrom - Sales Manager, Bozeman Brewing Company (Salon E)

    • Meaningful Media Relations for Small Breweries with Sara Killeen - Owner/Editor in Chief, Montana Craft Beer Connection and Kate Bernot - Lead Analyst, Sightlines (Salon F)

    • Establishing Brewing Research at Montana State University: Mineral Movement as a Proof of Concept with Jamie Sherman - Barley Program Director, MSU Barley, Malt & Brewing Quality Lab, and Hannah Uhlmann - Lab Director, MSU BMBQ Lab (Salon G)

11:45 am - 12:30 pm

  • Lunch (Salon D)

12:00 - 1:30 pm

  • Trade Show (Rotunda)

1:30 - 2:25 pm

  • Breakout Sessions

    • Hops: The Background to the Bitter Backbone of Beer with Jake TeSelle - Owner, Crooked Yard Hops (Salon E)

    • Managing the Dynamics of an Evolving Craft Beer Landscape with Kimberly Clements - Managing Partner, PINTS LLC and Daniel Lust - Partner, PINTS LLC (Salon F)

    • Gluten Testing in Beer: A Discussion of the Current Methods for Analysis with Karina Edwards - Research Assistant, MSU Barley, Malt & Brewing Quality Lab, and Hannah Uhlmann - Lab Director, MSU BMBQ Lab (Salon G)

2:30 - 3:25 pm

  • Breakout Sessions

    • The Science and Art of Beer Competitions: From Crafting Winning Entries To Leveraging Your Feedback with Loy Maierhauser - COO, MAP Brewing Co. (Salon E)

    • Alcohol Policy: Q & A with Dacia English - Outreach & Education Coordinator, Montana Department of Revenue Alcoholic Beverage Control Division and Lisa Clayborn - Outreach & Education Specialist, DOR ABCD (Salon F)

    • Microbiology of Thiolized Yeast with Laura Burns - Director of Research and Development, Omega Yeast and Gregor Brower - Director of Technical Sales, Omega Yeast (Salon G)

3:30 - 4:25 pm

  • Breakout Session

    • Living for the Moment While Planning for the Future with Kelly Brunger - Financial Advisor, SG Long Financial (Salon E)

3:30 - 4:55 pm

  • Breakout Session

    • Brewers Roundtable with Mark Bergstrom - Sales Manager, Bozeman Brewing Company and Loy Maierhauser - COO, MAP Brewing Co. (Salons A & B)

6:00 - 8:00 pm

friday, september 20

8:00 - 9:00 am

  • Registration (Rotunda)

  • Breakfast (Salon D)

9:00 - 10:15 am

  • MBA Annual Membership Meeting (Salons F & G)

10:30 - 11:55 am

  • Plenary Session (Salon D)

    • Keynote: Resilience and Innovation - The Future of Craft Brewing with Marcus Baskerville - Founder, Fresh Consulting Co.

    • Tapping Into Montana’s Brewing History with Steve Lozar - Founder, Montana Brewery Museum

12:00 - 12:45 pm

  • Lunch (Salon D)

12:00 - 1:00 pm

  • Breakout Session (Salons A & B)

    • What is Pink Boots? Women in Beer History & Chapter Meeting

12:00 - 2:00 pm

  • Trade Show (Rotunda)

1:30 - 2:55 pm

  • Breakout Session

    • Malt Sensory With the Hot Steep Method: A Hands-on How-to Workshop, Followed by a Discussion of Local Malt Flavor with Karina Edwards - Research Assistant, MSU Barley, Malt & Brewing Quality Lab, and Hannah Uhlmann - Lab Director, MSU BMBQ Lab (Salons A & B)

2:00 - 2:55 pm

  • Breakout Session

    • Drink Montana-GROWN Beer: Leveling-Up Your Marketing by Using Local Ingredients with Sammie McGowan - Director of Marketing, Abundant Montana (Salon E)

3:00 - 3:55 pm

  • Breakout Sessions

    • Harnessing Home Field Advantage: How To Get More Out of Your Taproom with Oceania Eagan - Founder & Creative Director, Blindtiger Design (Salon E)

    • The Importance of Data with Kristen Ewer - Account Manager, Precision Fermentation and Seth Orr - Head Brewer, Sacred Waters Brewing Co. (Salon F)

    • Navigating Stacking: Q & A with Jess DeMarois - Owner/Attorney, JDMT Law, Dacia English -Outreach & Education Coordinator, DOR ABCD, Gabe Mariman - Co-Owner/General Manager, Bias Brewing, Joel Silverman - CEO/Attorney, Silverman Law Office, Hannah Talbott - President, Highlander Beer (Salon G)

4:00 - 5:00 pm

  • Plenary Session (Salon D)

    • Sustainability Findings with Heather Higinbotham - Owner, Last Best Planet Sustainability Consulting, Nolan Smith - Owner, Philipsburg Brewing Company, Jess Rahn - Intern, Montana Pollution Prevention Program, and Jason Brenden - Head Brewer and Director of Operations, Bridger Brewing

6:00 - 8:00 pm

Saturday, september 21

Join us at the Fall Rendezvous brewfest, 3:00 - 8:00 pm at Caras Park in Downtown Missoula!