SunRift Beer Co. has signed a new long-term lease in the former Alano Club building north of the Kalispell Center Mall along the railroad tracks, according to Eric Peterson, property and leasing manager of Goodale & Barbieri Co. and WSPGB Land II.

The area where the brewery is located will be part of the redevelopment of Kalispell over the next few years when the histroic downtown railroad tracks are removed.

“We are extremely excited to have this opportunity. The historic beauty and setting of this development area is second to none, and we are honored to be a part of celebrating downtown Kalispell and participating in the core area of the Flathead Valley community,” said Craig Koontz, team brewer and proprietor of the forthcoming brewery, in a press release.

Koontz previously was a brewmaster for Tamarack Brewing Co. and more recently was head brewer for West Seattle Brewing Co.

SunRift Beer Co. has begun construction and is excited to be a part of the downtown core, Peterson said.