Big Sky Blog

The following article was posted on the Great Falls Tribune website a few days ago, but I can’t find the link to it anymore.

The cost of beer is rising, but it’s not causing Americans, or Montanans for that matter, to slow their consumption.

Montana came in fourth in 2006 for average beer consumption per capita, according to a USA Today article.

Montanans, on average, each guzzle down 41 gallons of beer per year, or a little more than one 12-ounce can of beer per day.

Nevada tops the nation for beer consumption with 44.2 gallons per year per person on average. New Hampshire and North Dakota also beat out Montana for the No. 2 and 3 spots.

Utah, unsurprisingly, came in last, drinking 18.9 gallons of beer each year, or a little more than a half a can of beer per day.

Nationwide, Americans drink about 30 gallons of beer per year. That number was up over the 2005 average, despite beer costs having risen about 3 percent since last May.

That is good news for many Montanans who grow barley and other beer ingredients.

More good news for some Montanans is that barley prices are also up, which helps explain the rising price of the carbonated beverage. Eighteen months ago, a bushel of barley brought in $2.56 on average. Now it sells for $3.50.

If you’re visiting Great Falls (or live here), do yourself a favor and check out the newest eatery: Dimitris Greek restaurant! It just opened a few days ago, and serves up some amazing food – whether you like Greek food or not, you’ll find something to love. The owners, Jim and Jody, are already semi-legends in Great Falls – they own the ultra-cool-retro “Fifth Street Diner” downtown, so they know what they’re doing.

Don’t forget – if you’re ever stuck for something fun to do, take a stroll through the Big Sky Blog Archives! The archives go all the way back to August 2004 – nearly an eternity in blog-years.

One of the most beloved of all Montana bloggers, our very own Karbon Kounty Moos, is going through some terrible times right now.

Goodbye to my beautiful girls and their healthy calves. Goodbye to years of selective breeding…They’re calling this herd tainted…There are scarier things than disease: Ignorance and arrogance. Taxes and capital gains

Go read the whole story, and let Moos know that she has lots of friends and support.

Although I’ve never been there, I have it on reliable authority – my friend Keri – that Lindey’s Steak House in Seeley Lake is THE place to go for awesome steak. She stopped by Lindey’s while en route to Flathead this week and snapped the following pictures.

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At Lindey’s website you’ll discover that the selection is pretty limited, although I don’t think that discourages anyone (except PETA loons):

“They don’t even have menus, just a sign perched by your table listing three entree selections – all steak, all 16 oz. portions. And the side dishes, which include potatoes you’ll crave for months, garlic bread, and pickled watermelon rind, are served family style. The cost is moderately priced and they don’t take reservations.”

So my questions for you: have you been to Lindey’s? And what other unique Montana (non-chain) steakhouses get a 5-star rating from you?