Welcome back, trail trekkers and tall tale seekers. If you’ve ever wandered through the Pintler Mountains and found yourself in the historic mining town of Philipsburg, you know it’s a place where the past doesn’t just sit on a shelf—it lives in the bones of the buildings and the spirit of the people. At the heart of this revitalization are Kathy and Nolan Smith, the duo behind Philipsburg Brewing Company, who turned a “Montana business plan”—loving beer and realizing their town needed some—into a world-class destination.

From Bank Vaults to Beer Taps

The story of Philipsburg Brewing is told in two distinct chapters: The Vault and The Springs. Downtown, you’ll find The Vault, housed in the 1888 First National Bank building. The Smiths went to great lengths to preserve the historic charm, keeping the original stained-glass windows and the actual bank vault. Retrofitting a 19th-century bank to handle the weight of brewing tanks was no small feat, but it created an atmosphere where you can literally drink in the history.

But as the business grew, the 10-barrel system at the Vault couldn’t keep up with the demand for statewide distribution. Enter The Springs. Located on the site of the town’s first 1875 brewery, this location was once a water bottling plant in the 1990s. Today, it’s a 50-barrel production powerhouse and a summer oasis.

The Secret is in the Spring

What truly sets this brewery apart isn’t just the historic walls—it’s what’s in the water. Unlike most breweries that battle with city water, the Smiths own the rights to a natural mountain spring located right on the property. They use this pure spring water along with whole leaf hops to create a product that customers swear is cleaner and brighter.

This commitment to quality has earned them more than just local fans. Their Pumpkin Barley Wine has shocked the brewing world, winning Gold and Silver at the World Cup. Even their flagship wheat beer, Haybag, has taken home a World Cup Silver, proving that small-town Montana math can result in global success.

Packaging for the Montana Lifestyle

If you’ve seen their sleek, resealable aluminum bottles, you’re looking at a piece of industry-leading innovation. Philipsburg Brewing is the only craft brewery in the country using these specific bottles. Why go through the “unhinged” effort of importing capping machinery from Italy? Because the Smiths live the 406 life. They wanted a bottle that fit a lifestyle of fishing, rafting, and skiing—something that wouldn’t get diluted by river water or ruined by a bug doing the backstroke in your drink.

A Community Hub with a Conscience

The Springs isn’t just a factory; it’s a “bring the kids, bring the dog” summer destination. Open from Memorial Day to Labor Day, it features an amphitheater for live music, which the Smiths used to keep local musicians employed during the pandemic.

Sustainability isn’t just a buzzword here, either. Nolan’s efforts in upgrading historic buildings with modern insulation and lighting, along with a rigorous cardboard recycling program, have earned the brewery three Eco Star awards from the Montana Department of Environmental Quality.

Looking Forward

While many businesses dream of “bigger, bigger, bigger,” the Smiths are focused on legacy. Their five-to-ten-year plan involves handing more ownership and operations over to their employees, ensuring that the brewery remains a staple of the community for generations to come.

So, next time you’re cruising through the state, stop by. Whether you’re grabbing an Otter Water (a personal favorite of Kathy’s) or a high-gravity Tramway for a nightcap, you’re not just drinking a beer—you’re participating in a piece of Montana’s living history

Sources: PhilipsburgBrew.com

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