E-Malt.com News article: US, MT: Flathead Lake Brewing Company launches first beer in a box in Montana

Flathead Lake Brewing Company has launched their newest product, beer in a box, and it’s the first of its kind in Montana. The company is now hoping the local beer community will take hold of the idea and let it unfold, Kpax.com reported on May, 16.

One local brewery is thinking outside the box, or rather they are turning to a box to get their specialty craft beer out to drinkers.

"There is nothing spectacular about it, it’s not really about the box, it's about functionality to get beer anytime, anywhere you want,"

Flathead Lake Brewing Company's Rob Robinson wanted to cover all the corners and give beer drinkers another option, something apart from the growlers, something bigger, something better.

"I always struggled with my growlers in the back, this doesn't do any of that."

The one gallon "tackle box" is virtually unbreakable and it's recyclable. When you drink it, it shrinks, the tap allows you to pour your favorite Montana made, micro brew similar to how wine is packaged in a box.

"For people floating down the river on a float trip they are not saddled with cans and bottles, but a flat container with and a flat box," Robinson explained.

The tackle box was designed with the average Montanan in mind, allowing an easy way to take your beer into the great outdoors.

Flathead Lake Brewing was the first to bring it to Montana, but they don't plan on keeping it all to themselves.

"This is for the people not for us, we're hoping it will increase volume of beer we sell. Its more important they can drink it at home," head brew master Tim Jacoby told us.

Once you drink it all up, Robinson says, you can bring the compressed plastic package back and fill it up again.

"So, that's why we are saying we will give you $2 off if you come back with the box."

And no matter where you take it, Flathead Lake brewing Company is hoping the new idea, won't get boxed in.

The brewery has 300 boxes ready to be filled at their Woods Bay tap room and another 300 boxes at the location in Missoula. They cost $26 to fill up and then it's $20 when you go to refill it.


17 May, 2011