PHOTOS by JASON O'NEIL
WRITING by CLAIRE BACHOFNER
INCLUDED IN THE LOCAL VOL. 1

​When Jill Roberts and Colleen Casey opened the doors of The Hawthorn in 2015, they sought to create a gathering place in downtown Helena that honored their core values: robust community, authentic connection, wonderful flavors, and ultimate hospitality. If you ask me (or anyone in town) they nailed it.

PHOTOS by JASON O'NEIL
WRITING by CLAIRE BACHOFNER 
INCLUDED IN THE LOCAL VOL. 1

I dare you to find a place more “local” than Gulch Distillers. Owned by two heartful Helena Natives, Tyrrell Hibbard and Steffen Rasile, every batch of grain-based spirits are made using only Montana-grown grains in a facility that was once the Montana Distillery and Bottling Warehouse. The names of the spirits are locally-inspired. Every cocktail incorporates locally-grown produce whenever possible as well as house-made syrups and shrubs. The artwork is local, the website is local, the locals are local. Okay, you get it. LOCAL. What’s more? It’s all really, really good.
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The location of Gulch Distillers is perfect. It’s tucked on a little side street, just a bit off the beaten path of downtown Helena. Once you set foot in the tasting room, there’s no turning back. Your curiosity will pique as you smell the various spirits in process. You’ll hear cocktail shakers shaking, people having quiet conversation, light-hearted laughter, good music at a great volume. Watching the staff work their magic- measuring, stirring, mixing, pouring, it’s a bit like walking into the coolest chemistry class ever, and you get to drink the potion.