Local brewers turn to kickstarter for funding

The couple behind the Backslope Brewing business that will open next summer on the U.S. 2 strip in Columbia Falls have turned to kickstarter.com to raise an additional $12,500 for the microbrewery.

Darin and Carla Fisher acquired brewing equipment from the former Desert Mountain Brewery and have begun remodeling work at their new place.

Darin, a Forest Service trails and stock manager and a Columbia Falls city councilor, has more than a decade of brewing experience. Carla has more than 15 years of customer service and management experience and currently manages the Montana Coffee Traders restaurant in Columbia Falls.

“We have submitted our licensing paperwork and are in the process of setting up our location,” the couple say on their kickstarter.com page. “We currently have a four-barrel system and need to add a few pieces of equipment to increase the efficiency of the system.”

According to plans, Backslope Brewing will offer five different beers on tap at all times — pale ale, IPA, Kolsch, porter and stout. They also plan to offer seasonal beers, including Scotch ale, ginger beer, imperial IPA, imperial stout, barley wine and various Belgian styles, such as dubble, tripple and saison.

“We have also acquired a few barrels from a local distillery — thanks Glacier Distilling — and will be running a small barrel aging program,” the couple said.

Donations to kickstarter.com will be used to purchase a high quality brewery pump, more serving kegs, a new brew kettle, high quality brewing hoses and other essential equipment.

No one who donates will be charged until the goal of $12,500 is pledged by Jan. 3 at 8:45 p.m. As of Dec. 11, they had 27 backers and had raised $3,160.

Depending on the amount, donors will have their name put on a plaque or Facebook list or be given special pint glasses, T-shirts, growlers, a rafting trip, a guided horsepacking trip, a snowmobile tour, a private party at the brewery or a special style beer named for them.

“In order to be adequately prepared for this venture, we spent a lot of time talking with other brewers and business owners in Montana and asking about their experiences and the challenges they faced when they started,” the couple said.

Challenges the Fishers are facing include construction, the state licensing process and not having sufficient beer on hand on opening date.

“We plan on brewing copious amounts of beer before we open and getting on a high-octane/low sleep brewing schedule to help us keep up with demand,” the couple said.

To donate, visit online at www.kickstarter.com/projects/881314505/backslope-brewing.