KettleHouse Brewing Company
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Craft brewing |
| Founded | 1995 |
| Founder | Tim O'Leary, Suzy Rizza |
| Headquarters | Missoula , United States |
Area served | Montana |
Key people | Tim O'Leary, Suzy Rizza |
| Products | Craft beer |
| Website | kettlehouse |
KettleHouse Brewing Company is a craft brewing enterprise headquartered in Missoula, Montana. Established in 1995 by founders Tim O'Leary and Suzy Rizza, the company has grown from a single taproom to operating two locations in Missoula and a significant production site in Bonner along the Blackfoot River. In collaboration with Top Hat Entertainment, KettleHouse inaugurated the KettleHouse Amphitheater near its Bonner brewery in 2017.
History
Tim O'Leary and Suzy Rizza started their brewing journey as homebrewers in Colorado before moving to Montana, where they launched the state’s inaugural brew-on-premise establishment in Missoula. Their approach to business prioritized sustainability, incorporating recyclable materials into their packaging.
In 2006, KettleHouse pioneered beer canning in Montana, which led to relocating to a larger facility on Northside in 2009 to accommodate increased production demands. Although both facilities operated at full capacity, state regulations limited annual output to 10,000 barrels. To focus on their primary market and taproom operations within Missoula, KettleHouse scaled back distribution beyond the local area beginning in 2012. O'Leary campaigned for an increase in production limits, resulting in the Montana Legislature raising the cap to 60,000 barrels per year with a 2,000-barrel ceiling on taproom sales in 2017.
That same year marked the opening of a new brewing and canning facility in Bonner capable of producing 30,000 barrels annually—surpassing the combined output of both previous taprooms. Expanding its business ventures, KettleHouse also launched the KettleHouse Amphitheater in Bonner during summer 2017, hosting performers such as Lyle Lovett.
Products
At its taprooms, KettleHouse features four flagship beers: Cold Smoke Scotch Ale, Double Haul IPA, Eddy Out Pale Ale, and Fresh Bongwater Hemp Ale. The Cold Smoke Scotch Ale stands as their top-selling and most decorated brew, having received four Gold medals at the North American Beer Awards and inspiring a popular ice cream flavor exclusive to Missoula. The introduction of Fresh Bongwater Hemp Ale generated controversy and prompted an inquiry by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.
Seasonals
In addition to its main offerings, KettleHouse presents various seasonal selections that rotate depending on location and time of year. Notable examples include Garden City Pale Ale and several cask-aged varieties. Nitro-dispensed beers are also available; Cold Smoke on nitro is particularly favored for its creamy texture. To commemorate the opening of the KettleHouse Amphitheater in 2017, the brewery released Te Bonner Lager aimed at concert attendees.
Awards
| Beer | Category | Medal | Year | Awarding Body |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Barrel Aged Freezout Stout | Smoke and Wood Flavored Beer | Bronze | 2024 | Montana Brewers Association |
| Barrel Aged Sapped Out Maple Stout | Wood Flavored Beer | Silver | 2011 | North American Beer Awards |
| Biere de Garde | Biere de Garde | Gold | 2015 | North American Beer Awards |
| Brick and Mortar Porter | Belgian-Style Dark Strong Ale | Silver | 2012 | North American Beer Awards |
| Cold Smoke Scotch Ale | Scottish Style Ale | Bronze | 2009 | Great American Beer Festival |
| Scottish Ales | Silver | 2010 | North American Beer Awards | |
| Scotch Ale | Gold | 2011 | North American Beer Awards | |
| Scottish Export | Bronze | 2011 | North American Beer Awards | |
| Scotch Ale | Bronze | 2012 | World Beer Cup | |
| Scottish-Style Ale | Silver | 2015 | Great American Beer Festival | |
| Scottish-Style Export | Gold | 2016 | North American Beer Awards | |
| Scotch Ale (Wee Heavy) | Bronze | 2021 | North American Beer Awards | |
| Scottish-Style Ale Scottish-Style Export | Gold | 2022 | North American Beer Awards | |
| Double Haul IPA | English-Style India Pale Ale | Gold | 2014 | World Beer Cup |
| Double Haul North | English-Style India Pale Ale | Gold | 2012 | North American Beer Awards |
| Double Haul South | English-Style Pale Ale | Bronze | 2012 | North American Beer Awards |
| Fresh Bongwater | English-Style Summer Ale | Silver | 2015 | North American Beer Awards |
| Gin Eddy | Barrel-Aged Beer | Silver | 2013 | North American Beer Awards |
| Ginseng Ginger Ale | Carbonated Soft Drinks | Silver | 2012 | North American Beer Awards |
| Haulapeno | Chili Beer | Gold | 2016 | North American Beer Awards |
| Hellgate Honey Hefe | American-Style Hefeweizen | Silver | 2021 | North American Beer Awards |
| KettleHouse Kommon | California Common | Silver | 2015 | North American Beer Awards |
| Kombrewski | Specialty and Experimental Beer | Silver | 2016 | North American Beer Awards |
| Muley Buck IPA | India Pale Ales | Silver | 2024 | Montana Brewers Association |
| Seeley Axe White | Gluten-Free Beer | Bronze | 2011 | Great American Beer Festival |
| Shady New England IPA | Hazy Pale Ales | Gold | 2024 | Montana Brewers Association |
| Zula Stout | American Stout | Silver | 2011 | North American Beer Awards |
See also
Bibliography
- Cederberg, Jenna. "Kettlehouse Withdraws Products from Kalispell Due to Local Demand…" The Missoulian, March 4, 2012.
- Eaton, Joe. "How Missoula Harnesses the Influence of Beer." City Lab, August 3, 2017.
- Moore, Michael. "Olde Bongwater Sparks Interest at State Crime Lab." The Missoulian, December 12, 1999.
- Newhouse, Ryan. Montana Beer: Exploring Breweries in Big Sky Country. Charleston, SC: American Palate, 2013.
- Nickell, Joe. "Collaboration Between Kettlehouse and Big Dipper Produces Coldsmoke Beer Ice Cream." The Missoulian, September 17, 2009.
- Tabish, Dillion. "Legislature Passes Bill Increasing Brewery Production Caps," Flathead Beacon, April 13, 2017.