Montana Beers

[beesy]

Hey all,
Heading to Billings, Montana in 2.5 weeks for work and wondering if there are any beers there I need to try out. I see there are a few microbrews there I will definately hit up. I will be driving to Yellowstone for a few days afterwards and would definately stop at some microbrews on the way if anyone knows of any. I am from Ohio, never been to North West area, so 411 on some beers that would be new to try would be appreciated.

:rockin:

 

[Matt Foley]

Big Sky brewing is in Missoula which is out of your way. However, you can get their Moose Drool in many bars throughout the state. It is, in my opinion the best american brown ale made. There is a little brew pub in W. Yellowstone, MT. Wolfpack or something like that. My wife was there a while back and liked the beer. Have fun.

 

[beesy]

My administrator's son lives in Missoula and he and I are both going. Today he said, "You'll be drinking Moose Drool." I asked him he was serious, and he was, so that one is on my list. I did read that the microbrews in Billings could only sever from 4-8 pm and only serve 3 pints to a customer. Anyone have any insight on this??

 

[SoCalChris]

I live just north of Yellowstone. You'll be in a great spot for some local brews.

In Livingston (50 miles North of Yellowstone, you'll go through here on the way to Yellowstone), hit up Neptune's Brewery. Their Toad Back Bock is very good. Unfortunately, I haven't had much of a chance to try any of their other brews yet, but have heard that they're very good.
http://www.neptunesbrewery.com/

If you want to head 20 minutes out of the way, Bozeman also has a few good breweries. In Bozeman, check out the Bozeman Brewing Company. My work will often have a keg or two of their beer ordered for special occasions. All three of their beers are good, I especially like the Plum Street Porter.
http://www.bozemanbrewing.com/

Near the Bozeman Airport is another brewery, Madison River (They sponsor the local Home Brew Club). All of their beers that I've tried are excellent, and the owner is very supportive of home brewers. He has offered yeast, has sold bottles at his cost, sells damaged kegs for their scrap value, and is willing to let the homebrew club use the breweries facilities and equipment.
http://www.madisonriverbrewing.com/

Also, at most stores in the area you can pick up beer from the Big Sky Brewing Co. in Missoula. Their Moose Drool and Trout Slayer are excellent.

I haven't heard about that restriction on microbreweries serving from 4-8, maybe that just a Billings thing?

 

[Matt Foley]

I am from Montana and went to school in Missoula, but I have been away for about 10 years. It is my understanding that breweries do have restricted hours for serving by state law. This seems strange for a otherwise fairly alcohol liberal state. I think that small breweries, less thatn 10,000 barrels can have a tap room and serve. The big breweries tap rooms must close by 8 pm and cannot serve more thatn 48 oz. to any one patron per day. Go figure. The good news is that almost every drinking establishment in town will have a selection of Montana brews available.

 

[e lo]

Man, do I love the Moose Drool. SWMBO grew up in Missoula, and she got me hooked on it. Can't find it out here in MI, unfortunately. I knew she was in love when she shared her last bottle with me (she used to bring back a case as her carry-on whenever she went to visit home, back when you could do that sort of thing). I'm also a big fan of Big Sky's Trout Slayer ale.

 

[EdWort]

Moose Drool is a tasty beer.

 

[BeehiveBrewer]

+100000 on the Moose Drool. I went to school in Missoula as well, and I love their beer.

If you get down Jackson, Wy way, check out Snake River Brewing. I love their beers as well.

Jealous,
Beehive

 

[EinGutesBier]

Just about anything from Big Sky is good. I remember there being something from the Devil's Tower area and Yellowstone. I think the one from Yellowstone was called "Old Bone Ale" or something. Nice session beer - had it on tape in Medora, ND.

 

[beesy]

Thanks for the 411 guys. Moose Drool was straight. Also had Fat Tire (cloned it, never had real, kick moose drool ass)--New Belgium Sprinboard spring ale --very tasty -- Had about 4 different Yellowstone Valley Brewing beers (all but their ESB). Their Black Widow Oatmeal stout is probably one of the best I ever had ( a little bit more caramel than others). Their hucklewiezen was ok. WOuld be good to have one or two on a hot day, but it was like 48 in day and 20 at night when i was there. Actually made it to Big Sky to their brewery there. Pretty good, for what I had (yes, brew pubs stop selling at 8pm (--boo Montana legislation.):rockin::rockin:

 

[AnonyBrew]

MTPilot says he works at a brewery in MT. Might wanna ask him or hook up.

https://www.homebrewtalk.com/showthread.php?t=67400

 

[BrewWench]

Awesome! I didn't get to respond before, but my husband and I lived in Bozeman for a few years and that's where we got our homebrewing start (with the help of Madison River Brewing, actually!) Glad you got to try Fat Tire! Almost all New Belgium beers are excellent - and I miss their Springboard!

Did you have Big Sky's Scapegoat Pale Ale? In my opinion that's one of the best pale ales I've ever had.

 

[BrewBrain]

What's with all the damn Griz on this board?

 

[BrewWench]

What's with all the damn Griz on this board?

Hey, I'm not a damn Griz! I'm a, uh, what were we? Bobcats or something? (never really got involved in teh sports.)

 

[Brewtopia]

Originally posted by EinGutesBier
I think the one from Yellowstone was called "Old Bone Ale" or something

Grand Teton Brewing Company has "Bone Warmer Amber Ale". I have a 1 quart, 1.8 oz. bottle in my beer fridge right now but, have yet to try it.

Montana Brewing Company is in Billings. I believe HBT member MTpilot works there.

 

[BrewBrain]

Hey, I'm not a damn Griz! I'm a, uh, what were we? Bobcats or something? (never really got involved in teh sports.)

Well, when I was there in the early 90's, it was good to not be interested in the sports.

I'll be in Billings with side trips to Bozeman and surrounding areas in August for two weeks sucking down as many micros as I can find. Luckily, my BIL is a big fan of the small breweries and should be a willing accomplice.

 

[Cregar]

Man, do I love the Moose Drool. SWMBO grew up in Missoula, and she got me hooked on it. Can't find it out here in MI, unfortunately. I knew she was in love when she shared her last bottle with me (she used to bring back a case as her carry-on whenever she went to visit home, back when you could do that sort of thing). I'm also a big fan of Big Sky's Trout Slayer ale.

I lived about 8 years in Missoula, from 1974 to 1982. I still have a bunch of relatives living there on both sides of the family.

Big Sky Brewing makes some AWESOME beers!

 

[BrewWench]

e lo - you're right, Big Sky now makes Trout Slayer. That's weird - when I was there last year it was still brewed by Bayern. I juts Googled it because we're planning a brewery tour of Montana this summer too.

 

[Matt Foley]

What's with all the damn Griz on this board?

It's hard to argue with success Go Griz!

 

[AnonyBrew]

Just got back from a trip visiting the folks in Havre. Had Moose Drool for 1st time, not bad. Go Cats!

 

[BrewBrain]

I was in Billings last month and tried the local micros;

Red Lodge had the pale ale (quite different from typical CA pales) and the Glacier Ale, which I really liked.

Ah hell, I'm a bit druk and can't think of the other names. First namers.

Angry Hanks is one. Had the IPA and liked it a lot. Mild and drinkable, but definitely an IPA by technical definitions. If all the IPA's out here in CA weren't ridiculohopped others might not taste like pale ales.

Other place was Clark's or Carlos's or Kevin's or something. I had the IPA there and liked it. It was very assertively hopped, but not the grapefruit NW hops. It was pine pine pine. My brother thought maybe pine-sol, but he's a beer butthead.

Went to Montana Brewing Company next and followed the crowd like an idiot into a black and tan. I liked it fine, but wish I would have just tried a beer so I could report back.

Drinking a black and tan at a new brewery is sort of like busting your cherry on a mannequin..

edit; oh, yeah. Griz blow goats. Go Cats!

 

[beesy]

Moose Drool was straight, but nothing out of sight. I think i talked to a few before i went there, and it was hyped up a little, so i guess maybe it was just hard to meet the expectations people were throwing out there for it. Loved the New Belgium brews and the Yellowstone Valley brews. Thier balck widow oatmeal stout was very tasty!!! Had it on tap at that Walkers Tapas Bar right across from the hotel. The hucklewizen was intersting too!

 

[truckmann]

Montana Beer Trip!
BeerTrips.com - The Montana Rivers, Parks and Breweries Adventure

I wish I could afford to do this.

 

[MTHarrington]

Don't forget about this one!
The Kettlehouse

The Old Bong Water is a delicious hemp porter...
and the best IPA I have sampled:
Double Haul IPA

 

[MNBugeater]

Ha..I had this conversation with MTPilot a while back because a beer drinking buddy and I are convinced that no good beer comes from Montana. I was in Billings this past summer and couldn't find a decent beer and every beer i tried outsate taht was brewed in Montana was not that good.

 

[MTHarrington]

What beer were you drinking then, in BILLINGS? it's a big state buddy, go a little further West.

 

[HoppyDaze]

What's with all the damn Griz on this board?

Go Bobcats!!!

 

[Ceedubya]

Ha..I had this conversation with MTPilot a while back because a beer drinking buddy and I are convinced that no good beer comes from Montana. I was in Billings this past summer and couldn't find a decent beer and every beer i tried outsate taht was brewed in Montana was not that good.

Did you try any that were not from Billings, kinda hard to judge the whole state on from a few breweries in one town. Moose Drool? YUM! Pig's Ass Porter? DOUBLE YUM!

What's with all the damn Griz on this board?

Go Bobcats!!!

2008 Griz 35 Cats 3
2007 Griz 41 Cats 20
Total Cat/Griz series history begining in 1897: Griz 67-35-5
NUFF SAID

 

[HoppyDaze]

ok ok, but Bozeman > Missoula every day of the year. You can have Div 1 AA football. I'll take the fishing in Bozeman; thanks

Troutslayer is a very good beer. I just cant seem to remember all the other beer I used to drink there when I was in college. Imagine that...But I know judging all of MT through Billings is laughable.

 

[Ceedubya]

Troutslayer is a very good beer. I just cant seem to remember all the other beer I used to drink there when I was in college. Imagine that...But I know judging all of MT through Billings is laughable.

Yeah, I lived in Billings for 5 years and the day the tore down a great Mom and Pop cafe to build a Taco Bell, was the day I decided to get out.

ok ok, but Bozeman > Missoula every day of the year. You can have Div 1 AA football. I'll take the fishing in Bozeman; thanks

Truth be known, I didn't go to UM either but since I live in Helena I attend several games a year and have adopted them as my team. I would much rather live in Bozo though if I had to choose between the two since it it a little less.... well.... crunchy.