Question: Which country in the world produces the most coffee?

Queries like these are being answered at bars, pubs, breweries and restaurants around the valley as Flathead residents are putting on their thinking caps to win prizes at trivia nights.

Spots like Kalispell Brewing Company, The Scoreboard Pub and Whitefish Lake Restaurant have used these knowledge nights to bring in people of all stripes on otherwise slow evenings.

Maggie Doherty, the “Beer Ambassador” at Kalispell Brewing Company, said trivia has been a boon for her fledgling pub.

“It’s been an overwhelmingly positive response,” she said. “When we started opening on Mondays, it was our slowest day. Now with trivia, Mondays can be some of our strongest nights.”

Several of the trivia spots give bar-credit or chips for free drinks. Others, like Mackenzie River Pizza North Kalispell and the Whitefish Lake Restaurant, hand out swag from local businesses.

Ross Strauser, the owner of Big Mountain Radio and the trivia master at the Whitefish Lake Restaurant, said he gives out more than 60 prizes a night.

“We have a prize wheel with 16 prize sponsors,” he said. “We give out fresh Loula’s [Cafe] pies, which are always popular. We give away Great Northern [Brewing Company] beer, gifts from Crystal Winters and a ton of Whitefish Credit Union branded stuff.”

The Whitefish Lake Restaurant has been sold out since Jan. 1 for the Wednesday night event, with more than 80 people turning out to win prizes while they eat.

At Tamarack Brewing Company in Lakeside, trivia nuts answer 15 questions in five different categories.

“It generally does very well,” said Graham McDonald, Tamarack’s “Trivia Guy.” “We have lots of regulars who come back every week and play.”

At many of the area’s trivia nights, folks who aren’t typically barflies will attend for the fun and interesting way to socialize.

“I think folks are looking for a really fun way to hang out with a friend,” Doherty said. “And the challenge of trivia is a nice plus.”

For Flathead Valley residents, these local watering holes and eateries provide a fun opportunity to strain your brain and win fabulous prizes for doing so.

Answer: Brazil.

Flathead Valley Trivia Events:

• “Tasting Room Trivia” at Kalispell Brewing Company; Mondays from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Questions are procured by the ImagineIF Libraries in Kalispell. One round of 20 questions with a break in the middle. Four categories. First place wins a $25 gift certificate, second wins $15 gift certificate and third wins four free beer tokens. Kalispell Brewing Company is located at 412 Main St., Kalispell; 756-2739.
• “Tamarack Trivia” at Tamarack Brewing Company; Tuesdays from 7 to 8 p.m. Questions are one round of 15 questions, with three each in five categories. Common categories include a Jeopardy! round and a “name that tune.” Winners get a $20 gift card to the brewery. Second place wins a four-pack of Tamarack’s canned beer. Creator of the funniest team name wins “Golden Pint” and a free beer. Tamarack Brewing Company is located at 105 Blacktail Road, Lakeside; 844-0244.
• “Trivia Night” at Flathead Lake Brewing Company Pubhouse; Wednesdays from 6:30 to 8 p.m. The trivia night has moved from the Woods Bay location to the new pubhouse in Bigfork. Television screens are employed in certain questions, and clever categories make the four rounds of five questions a challenge to even the most savvy trivia-goer. Winners get $5 for every member of their team and occasionally prizes for second place or best team-name are awarded as well. Flathead Lake Brewing Company Pubhouse is located at 116 Holt Drive, Bigfork; 837-2004.
• “Trivial Beersuit” at The Scoreboard Pub and Casino; Wednesdays from 7:30 to 9 p.m. Trivia consists of four rounds of 10 questions each. Teams can be as large or as small as you desire. Winner gets a $25 gift certificate at the pub. The Scoreboard Pub and Casino is located at 75 Woodland Park Drive, Kalispell; 756-8888.
• “Trivia Night” at Mackenzie River Pizza (North location in Kalispell); Wednesdays from 6:30 to 8 p.m. The questions are asked in five rounds, and can be pretty difficult, bar-goers said. Musical rounds between the questions allow for more prizes to be given out at the already prize-happy bar. Mackenzie River Pizza North Kalispell is located 45 Treeline Road, Kalispell; 756-3030.
• “Trivia Night” at Whitefish Lake Restaurant; Wednesdays from 7 to 9 p.m.; This packed trivia night requires reservations at the Whitefish Lake Restaurant, and has been sold out since the New Year. Big Mountain Radio presents the questions and posts the categories online that day. Between every question, the host goes from table to table with a “name that tune” game. Sixteen local sponsors bring prizes on the trivia prize wheel and 18 teams are allowed with five people on each. Whitefish Lake Restaurant is located 1200 U.S. 93 North, Whitefish; 862-5285.

Reporter Ryan Murray can be reached at 758-4436 or rmurray@dailyinterlake.com.