The story...
Every pint of beer has a journey, beginning in Montana's fields and ending at your tap. Along the way, it's shaped by the hard work of many hands and the dedication of our agricultural community. Montana Farm Bureau hopes to remind our friends and neighbors of the vital role our wheat and barley growers and broader agriculture industry play in bringing that final product to life.
Pictured right to left: Scott Kulbeck, Montana Farm Bureau Executive Vice President, Karl DeJonge, Gallatin County Farm Bureau member and owner of Gallatin Valley Farms and Gallatin Valley Malt, John Acheson, Co-Owner of Madison River Brewing Company
The result is a Montana-made Hefeweizen crafted with Montana-grown wheat, malted and brewed entirely in the state. Farm Bureau members even helped name the beer through a contest, with Sweetgrass County member Taylor Standley choosing Windmill Wheat—a name that reflects both Montana agriculture and the Farm Bureau's iconic windmill symbol.
More than just a beer, Windmill Wheat is a value-added agricultural product that supports Montana farmers, maltsters, brewers and rural businesses while raising awareness of the state's world-class wheat industry during a challenging time of drought and low commodity prices. A portion of proceeds also supports Montana Farm Bureau's mission, including agricultural education and youth development.
The concept originated after Montana Farm Bureau's 2025 Celebrate Ag Weekend at Montana State University, when Executive Vice President Scott Kulbeck's wife suggested creating a beer to commemorate the event and the people who make agriculture possible. That suggestion led to a partnership with Madison River Brewing Company and Gallatin Valley Malt Co. to bring the idea to life.
Sweet Grass County Farm Bureau member, Taylor Standley, winner of the beer naming contest
The process...
Montana Farm Bureau member and farmer, Karl DeJonge, plants, grows, and harvests the wheat that crafts this Montana Hefeweisen on his farm in Manhattan. They also raise barley, seed potatoes, & more.
The harvested wheat then makes its way to Gallatin Valley Malt for the malting process. The three main steps are steeping or soaking in water, germination, and kilning or drying the wheat.
Finally, the malted wheat ends its journey at Madison River Brewing, where the brewing and canning processes occur. The distinguishing factor of a Hefeweizen is its use of wheat, but also yeast in brewing.
The impact...
Montana Farm Bureau wants to 'pour' into the future of agriculture across the state; all proceeds from beer sales go to our Montana Farm Bureau Foundation. The foundation provides agriculture education materials to schools, awards scholarships to Montana youth, provides grants to fund community-based programs, and so much more. To learn more about the Montana Farm Bureau Foundation, click here. If you want to see Windmill Wheat at a location near you, kindly reach out to your local distributor that carries Madison River Brewery products with the sale sheet found here.