USA, MT: Snow Hop Brewery slated to open in the Helena Valley at the end of this year

A new brewery is slated to open in the Helena Valley at the end of 2017, making it the fourth craft brewery in the Helena area, the Helena Independent Record reported on June 18.

Snow Hop Brewery is owned by Steve and Barbie Edwards, who developed an affinity for beer after spending their honeymoon in Germany and Austria almost 20 years ago.

“We drank a lot of beer,” Steve Edwards said.

When they returned, they bought a hefeweizen home brewing kit. It wasn’t up to German standards, but their product improved over time. Eventually, the Edwardses decided to take the next step.

With all three existing breweries full of people more often than not, the couple decided Helena would be a good place to set up shop and finally brew the hefeweizen they’d been missing.

During a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the Lewis and Clark Brewing expansion, Gov. Steve Bullock said there are 68 breweries in the state providing 700 jobs and $100 million in economic output.

After looking for a place to renovate or build a brewery for several years, the Edwardses found land to purchase in the Helena Valley off McHugh Drive.

Edwards said he expects the location away from downtown will attract people from the valley. He said housing developments in the neighborhood are growing rapidly and will give residents the opportunity to walk a few minutes to craft beer.

Snow Hop broke ground this spring, and construction plans are to create a modern feel with plenty of concrete and glass inside with some outdoor seating. The taproom will be large with plenty of seating, and while Snow Hop isn’t building a kitchen, people will be able to bring in pizza from Mountain Ranch House, which is located on the same block.

They purchased equipment to brew 10 barrels at a time and plan to start with an IPA, amber, kolsch, stout and a session.

The head brewer, Becky Peppelman, is preparing for a month-long trip to Europe. She plans to travel to Poland, the Czech Republic and Austria to get ideas for a specialty beer.

“I’m hoping to find something unique,” she said.

Peppelman has been brewing for 10 years after getting into homebrewing. She spent six years brewing at Blackfoot River Brewing and did sales at Madison River Brewing. She’s also helped more women get involved with craft beer whether through the Pink Boots Society or having dinner parties with beer tastings.

“Female brewers are just really rare,” she said.

The Edwardses weren’t necessarily looking for a local brewer, but said Peppelman had more than experience.

“She had that passion. It can pay off,” he said.

While the Edwardses are anxious to be open for business, they said any competition between the other breweries will be healthy. They’ve already fostered a relationship with the local breweries who have answered questions and given advice.

“These brewers have bent over backwards,” he said.

19 June, 2017