Libby brewery reaches two-year milestone

Local brewhouse now distributes statewide

A local brewing company reaches a milestone this weekend, giving the locals and the owners an opportunity to celebrate the success they’ve attained.

Cabinet Mountain Brewing Company will celebrate their two-year anniversary on Saturday and Sunday. The anniversary will offer customers their first beer free, there will also be a raffle and prizes.

Founders and owners Kristin Smith and Sarah Sorensen opened the brewery in July of 2014, and since then they’ve grown rapidly.

“Every week is better than the last,” Smith said.

According to Smith, during their first full calendar year of production, they produced almost 500 barrels, and they’re on track to double that number this year. The overall sales are at a minimum 50 percent more since last year, and their food service tripled since they expanded the menu back in April. Since opening the brewery, they’ve gone through 16 seasonals and approximately 12 to 15 limited brews.

“We’re always looking to the future,” Sorensen said. Smith and Sorensen are both planning to keep growing the brewery, which now distributes brews across the state.

“At this point, we are trying to keep up with the growing demand,” Smith said.

Cabinet Mountain has more than doubled its staff over the last two months, adding six new employees to the five-person workforce. Smith and Sorensen have also added more food to their menu since they’ve been open, with their most popular food item being their signature panini, which consists of grilled chicken, Monterey Jack cheese, guacamole, arugula and cilantro with a drizzle of Sriracha mayo.

According to Smith, their most popular item is their Yaak Attack IPA, which makes up 50 percent of all their sales. Since they’ve been open, they’ve been exporting the Yaak Attack throughout Montana, Smith said. Some sellers will purchase whole batches, approximately 330 gallons, at a time. On the food menu is paninis, sliders, soups and salads. The brewery also specializes in hand-crafted sodas.

“We’ve got a great local following,” Smith said. “It’s been pretty amazing, this community is supportive.”

The brewery also attracts tourists to the area.

According to Smith, Cabinet Mountain is the first brewery in Montana exclusively owned by women. As far as Smith and Sorensen know, the brewery is still the only brewery in Montana exclusively owned by women.

“Seeing all the happy customers and all the positive reviews is incredibly rewarding,” Smith said.

Before opening the brewery, Smith worked as a land planner in the public and private sector, and Sorensen worked as a dental hygienist.

“I had to find a job in Libby and all of them I was either overqualified or underqualified,” Sorensen said. “So I decided to make my own job.” When The Western News contacted Sorensen, she was currently picking blackberries, planning to bring 40 pounds of them back to the brewery for a new brew.

Sorensen was inspired to open a brewery after visiting one in Philipsburg. She wrestled with the idea for a couple weeks and brought it up to an acquaintance in her book club. That acquaintance was Smith, who then said to Sorensen, “Let’s just do it.”

Sorensen and Smith began researching soon after they decided to run with their idea. They researched demographics, the brewing process and small business ownership. Sorensen said she went back to college to take classes in accounting and entrepreneurship.

“I knew I liked beer but I didn’t know anything about brewing or owning a manufacturing company,” Sorensen said.

When they were looking for a location, Sorensen and Smith felt it was very important for the business to be located on Mineral Avenue.

Sergio Medina has worked at the brewery since it opened. He used to work as a border patrol agent in El Paso, Texas. He and his wife moved to Libby 11 years ago when she started working as a doctor at the Northwest Community Health Center. Medina said that he enjoys all of the drinks on the menu, but he says if he had a favorite, it would be their limited Black Paddle Oatmeal Stout.

“It’s been a wonderful experience,” Medina said.

Local musicians perform once a week and other musicians come to perform on the weekends. The bar also has trivia nights.

“We really appreciate all of our customers that have supported us, and we plan to be around in Libby for a long time,” Smith said.

Cabinet Mountain Brewery Company’s summer hours are Monday through Sunday, noon to 8 p.m.

To contact Cabinet Mountain Brewery, call (406) 293-2739.

Reporter Bethany Rolfson may be reached at 293-4124 or by email at Reporter@TheWesternNews.com.