Billings TrailNet celebrates Ales for Trails’ 21st birthday on September 9, 2022. The original Ales for Trails event began under Skypoint in downtown Billings in 2001, entertaining a few hundred guests with local microbrews and bicycle stunts. The event raised approximately $10,000 to grow and support the Billings trail system.
It was an idea that caught on and has grown to be a community favorite. Over the years, the fundraiser has added silent disco, giant beer pong, a fat-tire bike raffle and a brewers competition.
Founders of the event include George Moncure, former owner of Yellowstone Valley Brewing Co.; Mike Tuss, retired CTA principal; and Darlene Tussing, retired Alternate Modes Coordinator for the city of Billings.
Originally from Fort Collins, Colo., Moncure enjoyed that city’s miles of “exquisite bike trails, and liked how they affected the quality of life.” Moncure found others as enthusiastic about developing a trail system in Billings when he moved to the city and began brainstorming fundraisers to help the City of Billings develop trails. The group came up with the idea of a bike and brewfest, where fellow trail enthusiast Mike Tuss of Cushing Terrell (formerly CTA Architects and Engineers) came up with the name, Ales for Trails.
While the event changed locations over the years, from The Billings Depot to Dehler Park and now ZooMontana, it has continued to grow in popularity and entertain thousands of guests.
Since 2001, Ales for Trails has raised more than $1.4 million and has enabled Billings TrailNet, the event’s beneficiary, to give the City of Billings more than $750,000 for trail development, maintenance and trail amenities.
This year, guests at Ales for Trails will enjoy a selection of more than 50 local and regional microbrews, seltzers, wine and nonalcoholic drinks, plus silent disco, giant beer pong, a brewers competition, a photo booth and live music from Repeat Offenders.
Tickets to Ales for Trails are on sale online now through Sept. 8, 2022, at alesfortrails.com and will be available for purchase for an early bird discount at The Base Camp, The Spoke Shop, Yellowstone Fitness, or at the gate for full price.
No one under the age of 21 will be allowed through the gate, and Billings TrailNet urges its guests to drink responsibly at the event.