Those of us who don't live in Miles City anymore would like to hear about the new brewery in town from the locals. What's good? What's not?

Crickets......

This either means that (a) the good people of Miles City are staying home because the pandemic is not over yet and people still need to get vaccinated; or (b) M&H has an incredible sale going on of 18 packs of Busch Light.

We picked up two growlers last night. The American Stout is good, pretty rich but in a pleasing way. Their Red was great, had all the flavor expected of a red and a nice dark hew and it went down easy. Looking forward to the creme ale and an oatmeal stout but I don’t drink a lot of beer, fills me up too fast! I’ve heard a few people who have cut back or quit drinking that would enjoy a non alcoholic craft beer that actually tastes like craft beer. Anyone else think there’s a niche for that?

Miles City's Most Famous Citizen Approves

What I like best about that picture, is that the sampler tray appears to consist of real-sized pours, not the usual 3-4 oz. glasses* that most breweries provide for a sampler.

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*Or, as Miles City's Most Famous Citizen would describe them, "thimbles."

Umm... exactly when did Bert replace Bobby K as "Miles City's most famous citizen"?

The stout sounds awesome. Glad to hear someone is making real beer instead of the crappy IPA swill that most places feature.

I prefer to think of Bobby K as "Miles City's Most Distinguished Citizen". Or is that "extinguished"?

Bert, having lived outside of Miles City for a couple of decades, is renowned in other parts... hence his "fame".

For the curious, https://www.32auctions.co...?r=1&t=all has some Otium packages. Auction lasts until April 20.

Atomicg, I like drinking beer, but I don't like getting drunk. I think a low alcohol craft beer with all the flavor of a normal craft beer would be hit. It would for me anyway.

Otium Brewing is great! A warm relaxed atmosphere. I really enjoy the Stout and the Irish Red. It has been fairly busy when I have been in so hopefully that keeps up!

Steve Z wrote:

Atomicg, I like drinking beer, but I don't like getting drunk. I think a low alcohol craft beer with all the flavor of a normal craft beer would be hit. It would for me anyway.

Try anything labeled "session". Plenty of session IPAs available out there.

Unlike Richard B, I am an IPA snob. I have tried both of their IPA offerings and they lacked character. My preference is Pacific NW hops with high impact and citrus finish. Deschutes does a good job. When I can find it, my preference is Deschutes Fresh Squeezed. They also make a brilliant double IPA though not available often. It must be on tap. I ordered an Lagunitas once at the Alamo theater in Denver. They served it in a can. Can you believe it? IT WAS IN A FRACKING CAN!

I am finished with that and will get back on track. Otium Brewing is a sorely needed business in Miles City and I love the place. Small though it may be the lovely, young, owners have created a warm, friendly atmosphere. The last time I was there the only food available was a snack tray. I drove past, a couple days ago and there was a "Roach Coach" parked outside. Many of the small craft brewers in Denver are doing the same. I don't know if they will continue with that or not. It seems like a good idea if they can keep it going. Bottom line is, I love the place. I just wish they had an IPA that appealed to me. Good luck in the future and long may they run. I am headed back to the urban jungle in June.

I have to agree with you, Tucker. Dry crisp IPAs with the classic C hops (Cascade, Centennial, Chinook) are my favorites. Milky New England IPAs....meh.

You guys are beer snobs. The ancient Greeks and Romans derided beer as inferior to its grape-based counterpart. The Roman historian, Tacitus, said "beer is a horrible brew fermented from barley or wheat, a brew that has only a very far removed similarity to wine."

Beer was a bit different back in the Time of Antiquity, Terry. Brewers didn't start using hops until the Middle ages. In Greco- Roman times they used a herb mixture called gruit. That, and brewing is a lot more complicated than making wine, with malting, mashing, sparging and boiling. I would imagine ancient beer wasn't very good.

That said, it was still good enough to fortify those beer-swilling barbarians to over run those pinky finger lifting Mediterranean wine drinkers. And the early Germanic tribes that were conquered by the Romans and converted to wine?

They became the French. Nuff said.

Hansen, I like to look for the same things in the beer I drink as I do in wine. Bouquet, taste, color, clarity and finish are all important. There are no legs to look for but there is a head from a correct pour and and the bubbles rising from the carbonation. As a closing note, the worse thing to happen in the world today is coffee in a paper cup.

You guys make beer drinking sound enjoyable. I generally only drink beer in the morning, Pabst Blue Ribbon with V-8 juice, and freshly squeezed lime. This makes for a really good and nutritious breakfast, especially when accompanied by a couple of pickled eggs.

That sounds like an amazing breakfast, tbh

At first, I was going to criticize the pouring of tomato juice into any beer, but since you paired it with pickled eggs, a thumbs up.

Makes me think of this:

NY Daily News: Clamato calamity! Montana bartender shot, dog killed after irate customer served Clamato instead of tomato juice, cops say

I'm looking forward to spending some time at Otium when I make my next visit to MC. Every community needs a quality local brewery. Heck, even Scobey has one now.

Otium has a new double IPA that really tickles my fancy. The color is a clear, bright amber and has a much mellower taste than most most doubles despite its 8.4 abv. The finish is slightly citrus with floral overtones. Yep, that's right, I said floral. It is unique, a pleasant surprise and drops my old favored Deschutes Fresh Squeezed into second place.

We are moving to Oregon. I will have plenty access to Deschutes but will miss the Otium double. Best of luck to the wonderful people at Otium and long may you run.

Tucker, sorry to hear you're departing Miles City once again. Where in Oregon are you headed to?

Hopefully not the part that wants to join idaho....

We will be living on a sailboat in Florence if our loan is approved. If not we hope so settle somewhere on the central coast. My son lives in Springfield not far from Homer and Marj.

I finally made it back to Miles City last week for a little fishing and hit the Otium brewery Thursday evening. Very nice. The Irish Red was excellent, both IPAs were delicious, but what really impressed me was the Boe's Gold. Wonderful maltiness that you don't find much in craft beer.

The old Cafe Utza building that houses part of Otium was a great place to have a couple of beers with old friends. The following day we hit the Trail's Inn for a bite and I had Otium's bitter that was on tap there. Again, another excellent beer. Nice that Miles City has such a quality brewery.

[Edited by Gunnar Emilsson (6/27/2022 11:07:03 AM)]