Eli Brown

Sometimes, the best things come from the darkest of times. For 6 years I have been hard at work within the hospitality industry in Missoula Montana; Missoula is another representation of the new mountain town economics conquering the Rocky Mountain West, sweeping those of us that have long called these places home aside in the process. All the while, investment from the coast continues to pour in, slowly reshaping both the urban environment as well as the ethical system that has long been present in this strange little corner of the world. Meanwhile, the hospitality industry continues to suffer. Those places designed to satisfy tourists suffer in the winter, and local hangouts are slowly forced to price out their regulars in order to keep pace in the summer. All the while, those people trying to make a career out of making others feel at home continue to be chewed up and spit out, either compromising their ethics or their pocketbook, which in turn threatens their very existence in the place they love. The place I love. I just recently was once again abused by the industry here and, after finally getting out, took a trip to the coast to try and get some perspective - the wine pictured here is a product of a very similar sort of process, making it a wonderful pairing on our contemplative journey. ‘Zoonotic Spillover’ was produced by Poppelvej winery directly following the COVID-19 lockdowns, launched to help bolster the struggling wine industry at that time. It was intended by winemakers to find humor in the darkest of times, and this sentiment is reflected in the flavor profile; Mourvèdre offering it’s typically gamey, rich fruit aroma, while simultaneously being up for a slight chill due to the semi-carbonic fermentation, making approachable what might otherwise be very intense. ‘Zoonotic Spillover’ is the perfect accompaniment for a reflective chat about the flawed world in which we reside, reminding us that beauty can sometimes be rescued from the dark. Hopefully Missoula’s hospitality industry can find its muse before it’s too late. PC: @kadenharrisonphoto

So proud to have been a part of this program, and beyond excited that it is finally receiving the attention it deserves. While I did not attend BAR 5 day the year this documentary was filmed (I graduated with the class the following year), this film will be an incredible look into the most challenging and rewarding educational experience I have ever been lucky enough to be a part of. I can’t recommend BAR 5 Day highly enough for any aspiring bar professional; it truly changed my life. If you are in Austin or San Jose be sure to catch it on the big screen. If not, help us spread the word.

The best thing about this industry has never been the drinks. It’s the people. This World Cocktail Day, we’re calling on the community to help us invest in them. 🤩 Raise the Bar exists to build real infrastructure for the emerging leaders doing the work to solve challenges facing our community. Your contribution funds that goal directly. 🙌🏽✨ Today, we’re launching our community fundraiser to continue bringing two incredible Raise the Bar awardees’ projects to life, and we need you to make it happen. 🚀 ➡️ @d.n.a.haus , created by @dessertsandalcohol is a BIPOC- and Queer-focused consulting/events agency and artist collective built to connect, celebrate, and uplift a network of creatives, bartenders, chefs, and multi-hyphenates. They are ready to host their first events with support from this grant. ➡️ @wildernesswineguy is launching a free, online educational resource designed specifically for bars and bartenders looking to build or refine a spirit-free program. Through five focused modules, the course offers foundational insights and actionable tools for implementing successful, profitable N/A programs. These two have dreamed, organized, and are ready to act. Now it’s our community’s turn. 🙏🏽 We’re running this campaign until we hit our $20K goal. Every dollar goes directly to funding these grants. If you’ve ever been supported by someone in this industry, or hoped to be, this is your chance to pay it forward. 🫶🏽🔥 🍵 $5: Cost of a coffee, every bit adds up 🍸 $20: Cost of a cocktail + tip, a meaningful contribution toward a grant 🥃 $50+: Cost of a round for the crew, goes directly toward making a project real Donate, share, or tag someone who believes in what we’re building. 💪🏽 Link in bio.

Missoula to Bozeman to Big Sky to Livingston, all in the span of 48 hours.

Annual Valentine’s Day Running Tally with a man that I’m more and more obsessed with every time I make this post: Eli: 8 Wren: 9 Kitten: 7

‘Once it becomes a part of you, something you can’t live without, you will know it’s done. The process is the vow, after all. It always has been, and it will continue to be.’ I love you, Bailey. P.S. I still am enthralled with the Black and White. Some things never change. Also, thank you @quinnstonephoto . Truly everything we could have asked for.

A few more favorites: horizontal pics ✨💫🫶🏼

WEDDING FAVORITES: Vertical Shots ✨💫 1. I mean, iconic. 2. Basically us at @dramshopmt any regular Tuesday 3. I got asked by the bartenders are Flippers how wedded bliss is two weeks post-wedding and so I’ll say it again, iconic. 4. Maybe my favorite shot period. 5. Hot husband 6. 🥹🥹🥹 7. HOW SWEET 8. GOD I LOVE HIM SM 9. and his mom 🫶🏼 10. All of the men in my life are Aries and Virgos and I think that’s significant 11. @noah.durnell did such an incredible job officiating and it wouldn’t have been the same without him 12. *we’re talking about next week’s Griz game 13. HOT HUSBAND I love him so much!!! 14. I asked for a French tip and got all white nails and it actually ended up being the best- such fun. 15. @k_wick 🫶🏼 16. The after party 🎉 @quinnstonephoto killed it 🫶🏼🎉💫✨

For all the folks who have been curious about this whole Raise the Bar thing, its finally time… The topic of the project I have been working on for the last six months is N/A beverage, specifically in regards to N/A cocktails. Over the course of the project, I designed a a scalable, open-source framework that enables bars to implement elevated non-alcoholic programs tailored to their specific operations. This structure allows businesses to move beyond a one-size-fits-all model, offering varying levels of engagement based on resources, staffing, and concept alignment. The result is a differentiated beverage experience that enhances guest satisfaction and unlocks a previously underutilized revenue stream. While I began the project with an entirely different mindset I have realized now that this project isn’t in opposition to the spirits world—it’s in dialogue with it. It expands the language of celebration, of craft, and of connection. Today marks the day of my proposal to the committee who will be deciding who the two $10,000 grants are awarded to, as well as the release date for a conversation between myself and @blisterreview founder @jonathan.ellsworth that dove deep into the philosophy and language surrounding N/A beverage within the U.S. I highly recommend checking out that conversation for further insight into the project! I also want to say thank you to @miguel.f.lancha_drinks , who has been everything I could have asked for in terms of a mentor over the course of this project. His incredible knowledge base, unique, analytical perspective, and awesome personality made this entire experience life changing. I also want to say thank you to @raisethebar_mentorship as well as @unclenearest for creating such a thoughtful and meaningful program. I know exactly how far a mentor can go within this industry, and y’all’s recognition of the need is truly heartwarming. Finally, thank you to @luciacreed , the real mastermind behind this project (though she will never admit it). We couldn’t have done it without you. Anyone interested should go apply for next year’s session today, and join this incredible group in raising the bar.

Listen to the episode through the link in bio.

Great Gatsby is happening tonight!!!! Join us for our third edition of the Literary Libations series tonight at 5pm @thegrottomissoula for a journey back to the Roaring Twenties! Presented in collaboration with @liquid_lifestyle_mt , the event will go as long as supplies last, so get there early to make sure you get a seat. With drinks themed from the novel, exclusive immersive menus, and decorations straight from the 20’s, tonight’s experience is sure to impress. Come alone or bring a friend - either way, we look forward to seeing you there.

3 things ⬇️ 1. There is always a hidden element. Alice in Wonderland featured a series of riddles which, if solved, earned the guest an off menu cocktail. 1984’s secret was a little more hidden, with a single reference tucked away at the end of the menu, once again revealing a different drink. The Great Gatsby will have a slightly different model, based more around the era which defined this incredible work. Join us Monday, April 14th for your chance to find it… 2. While the collaboration is hosted by @thegrottomissoula , the drinks, menus, and themes were designed by @liquid_lifestyle_mt , a beverage catering company based in Missoula that operates in Montana, Northern Idaho, and Eastern Washington. Founded by @wildernesswineguy , the company specializes in bringing craft cocktails to events of any size - check out the link in our bio for more information. 3. The Literary Libations series is Missoula’s first example of the ‘pop up bar’ concept which is taking the country by storm. Often featuring a collaboration between two beverage based companies, these sorts of events are designed to allow bartenders to think outside the box, taking on challenging drinks that wouldn’t be possible at scale. As such, they are once in a lifetime opportunities, with menus which exist only for that event. You don’t want to miss it! Join us this coming Monday, April 14th at 5pm for Great Gatsby, and come experience these three features for yourself!