About 90 miles from Yellowstone National Park, Bozeman rests in the heart of Montana’s craft beer scene. You won’t have any problem finding a watering hole but deciding the right one can be a challenge. Fortunately, Bozeman has several award-winning breweries that each have a sincere passion for the brewing process.

Situated in the heart of Big Sky Country, Bozeman offers a relaxed vibe that’s perfect for hanging with friends or strangers. Pull up a chair at the bar after an adventurous day of hiking, skiing, or fly-fishing and sip on a refreshing brew overlooking the mountain backdrop. Below, you’ll find your guide to the 10 best breweries in Bozeman to check out when traveling through Montana.

 

10 Best Breweries in Bozeman

Bozeman Brewing Company | MAP Brewing Company | Mountains Walking Brewing | Outlaw Brewing | Bridger Brewing | Madison River Brewing Co | Nordic Brew Works | Bunkhouse Brewery | Union Hall Brewing | Bar 3 BBQ and Brewing |

 

1. Bozeman Brewing Company

Known as the Bozone, the Bozeman Brewing Company has served thirsty customers for nearly 20 years. The company has operated longer than any brewery in Bozeman and always finds ways to shake things up. The Bozone’s tasting room has come a long way since the days it had no sign out front, but the establishment is now a Bozeman staple. Located beside the Bozeman Brewery Historic District, the tasting room features 16 delicious craft beers on tap.

From small-batch seasonal ales to sours, you’ll find the beer that hits the spot during the season you visit Bozeman. With 20+ beers on the menu, deciding on the right can, bottle, or brew can be tough at Bozeman Brewing Company. The staff divides beer concoctions into Classics (year-round) and Mavericks (unique releases) for customers to enjoy.

Year-round favorites to include on your must-try list include the Bozone Amber Ale, Hopzone IPA, Plum Street-Porter, and Gallatin Pale. For a Montana ski trip, the Pinhead Pilsner hits the spot after riding the slopes. After a hiking or cycling expedition in the Bozeman backcountry, try the Hey Bear Honey Kölsch for a refreshing drink. Don’t forget to check out the bottles of the Bozeman Underground collection that include the Funky Virtue Brett Tripel 2019, Hopsour D.H. American Sour 2020, and many more.

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2. MAP Brewing Company

MAP Brewing’s mission is to provide customers high-quality Montana beer with unbeatable hospitality. The scenic mountain backdrop eases nature lovers, and the MAP taproom is the community that welcomes all beer lovers. To complement your beer of choice, the MAP Grill whips up Yellowstone Grassfed beef, salads, and tasty appetizers in the kitchen.

The award-winning brewery has earned numerous accolades in recent years, and it’s always exciting to see what’s on tap next. With 15 combined year-round and seasonal beers, you’re sure to find the craft beer that soothes your palate. You’ll find everything from Scottish ales and IPAs to stouts and Kölsch classics.

The Soul Charger soothes your taste buds after an exciting day in the mountains, and the Party Lager fits with any celebration. Try the 80 Chain oatmeal stout for bold roasted coffee flavor and dark chocolate notes. The Midas Crush is a West Coast Style IPA that combines fruity elements for a refreshing taste. For the seasonal brews, the Gravity Rider German Amber pairs with those chilly fall nights, and the Strawberry Rhubarb Sour is an easy-drinking sour during summer.

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3. Mountains Walking Brewing

The Mountains Walking Brewery crew has an incredible passion for the brewing process, and their dedication, combined with the natural elements of Bozeman, creates sensational brews. Using time-tested brewing traditions, Mountains Walking Brewing explores the realm of possibilities when crafting every beer. Each team member makes a sincere commitment to serve customers world-class beer paired with multi-course meals.

You’ll find a wide range of ales, lagers, IPAs, stouts, and sours that can only be produced in Bozeman’s climate. The Nice Fella Italian Pilsner has a crisp, smooth taste with aromas of citrus, guava, and grass. Sample a German classic with the Slow-Pour Pilsner or the Belgian-style Table Wit Witbier.

The Grazing Clouds New England IPA is a gold medal winner bursting with tropical flavors, and the West Coast Junegrass Northwestern IPA has a crisp finish with aromas of citrus and candied pineapple. For those with a sweet tooth, try the Proof Is In the Puddin’ Brown Ale or maple-infused Black is Beautiful Imperial Stout. The Sweets Cherry Chocolate Sour Ale and Twisted Karma Raspberry Sour highlight the sours menu, and the Mountain Mocha Hard Seltzer is the brewery’s first seltzer.

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4. Outlaw Brewing

Outlaw Brewing is a family of beer nerds who have a rebellious spirit to bring you the best brews Bozeman has to offer. The staff is constantly innovating their craft and isn’t afraid to bend the rules to pour customers a unique ale in their glass. From the outlaws at the bar to the brewers in the back, Outlaw Brewing takes pride in using their beer expertise to develop authentic brews.

Their standard brew collection includes the German-style Pot Shot Pilsner, Yuppie Hammer IPA, and Gambler Amber Ale. The rotating list of seasonal beers contain flavors that quench your thirst regardless of when you visit Montana. For those crisp fall afternoons, Outlaw brews their own Oktoberfest beer. The Mexi-Cali Lager has a light, citrus taste that’s refreshing on sweltering summer days. Sample The Capone Oatmeal Stout for bittersweet chocolate notes or the Patio Pounder IPA for a blast of tropical flavor.

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5. Bridger Brewing

The award-winning Bridger Brewing Company combines craft beer, mouthwatering pizza, and live music to give customers an eclectic brewpub experience. With the inspiration of snowy peaks and flowing rivers, Bridger Brewing brings beer lovers of all backgrounds together to their tasting room. The brewery hosts many charitable events throughout the year to give back to the Bozeman community.

Bridger Brewing’s beers on tap rotate seasonally, and you never know what type of enriching flavors you’ll taste. The Bridger Berliner Weisse is a forward-thinking spin on an old-world classic with notes of biscuit, dough, and citrus. Sample the Bone Dust White Ale for a soothing North American style ale with hints of coriander, white pepper, and oranges. Other beers to keep on your radar include the Bridger Blonde Ale, Mad Mile Cream Ale, Vigilante IPA, and Ghost Town Coffee Stout.

The food menu uses local ingredients to create delectable appetizers, salads, and pizzas to pair with your beer. For a light and healthy meal, try the Last Bite of Summer, Caesar Classic, Bridger Chop, or Bridger Pane. If your belly is aching after a busy day enjoying the outdoors, pizza options include the Bison Pepperoni, Italian Sausage Supreme, T-Rex, Firebird, Highland, and others.

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6. Madison River Brewing Co

Just 15 minutes outside of Bozeman, Madison River Brewing rests in the outdoorsman’s paradise of the Gallatin Valley. The rustic town of Belgrade treats hikers, cyclists, skiers, anglers, and other nature enthusiasts to delicious craft beers. Situated in a world-class fly-fishing country, the brewery’s namesake is one of the pristine rivers in its backyard. Most brews carry the name of a fishing fly, and the cozy taproom offers respite after an exciting day on the river.

From American-style wheat ales to oatmeal stouts, Madison River Brewing has a wide range of brews to satisfy your preference. The Copper John Scotch Ale uses the finest smoked malt for intense flavor, and the Salmon Fly Honey Rye combines a unique blend of malted barley and Montana honey. Quench your thirst with the crisp, German-style Parachute Pilsner or the Rubber-legged Raspberry Wheat.

The Juice Double IPA is hopped to the max, and the Irresistible Amber has an incredibly smooth finish. Seasonal brews include the Earl Grey Pale Ale, Dropper IPA, Golden Willie Cream Ale, and New Montana Pale Ale. Madison River Brewing continues to expand their market, and you can find their brews in Wyoming, Idaho, and North Dakota.

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7. Nordic Brew Works

Located on Bozeman’s west side, Nordic Brew Works offers a warm Montana atmosphere with craft brews, cocktails, and wood-fired pizza. Whether you’re looking for a cozy evening with friends or need to relax after a day on the slopes, Nordic Brew Works is open for all beer lovers in Bozeman. Visitors and locals join together for a unique taproom experience and to snack on irresistible locally-sourced ingredients from the kitchen.

Nordic Brew Works frequently updates their list of available brews to keep its menu fresh. The Man-Bun American IPA combines lighter malts and fruity flavors for a refreshing finish. Taste the Easy Answers Pineapple Lager for a burst of tropical infusion or the German-style Postcards From Helles. Other craft brews include the Captain Seahorse West Coast IPA, Invisible Penguin IPA, and Lazy Lightning Mountain IPA.

If someone in your group is craving something other than beer, there is a complete list of cocktails, wines, and non-alcoholic beverages. Pizzas serve as the main feature of the food menu, but the kitchen also whips up salads and sandwiches. The Pigs of Parma, Carbonara, Montana Mushroom and Quattro Formaggi are just a handful of their oven-fired pizzas.

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8. Bunkhouse Brewery

Bunkhouse Brewery invokes Montana’s rich brewing heritage to produce beer with purpose and passion. The staff’s drive to make traditional Montana brews is enhanced by their love for the local Bozeman community. With weekly specials throughout the year and Community Pint Nights, Bunkhouse brings you one of Bozeman’s liveliest beer-drinking atmospheres.

The beer menu at Bunkhouse Brewery isn’t the most extensive in Bozeman, but each brew packs a punch with authentic taste. Bandit’s Moon X bursts with notes of coconut and tropical fruit, while the Blood Orange and Ginger Sour combine citrus and a light spicy finish.

The American-style Canyon Line Blonde Ale has a crisp, clean taste, and the Bonjour Mon Ami Petit Mild contains rich caramel notes. Sample the Running Iron IPA for notes of citrus, honey, and pineapple combined with a blast of tropical fruit. Sol and Oats: Remixed uses locally-grown Cascade Hops, and 3 Tres Tangerine Tripel is a crisp, Belgian-style brew with hints of tangerine.

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9. Union Hall Brewing

Located on Main Street, Union Hall Brewing is Bozeman’s newest brewing company and has already made a splash in the community. Their team lives by the motto “In beer we trust” and believes that beer is the perfect item to bring all sorts of people together. From blue-collar workers to CEOs, Union Hall Brewing welcomes anyone looking for a refreshing brew.

Their list of staples leans towards IPAs and includes beers with light, fruity finishes. The West Coast Hoptoad IPA combines orange and grapefruit flavors, and the Plow Chaser IPA has a smooth tropical honeydew flavor. Other year-round brews include the chocolatey Bold Bertha Stout, pear and tropical passionfruit Hay Shaker Dry Hopped Blonde, and the Doc Holliday Huckleberry Shandy.

The rotator list includes an Extra Bold Bertha Stout that warms your palate during frigid Montana winters. For an easy-drinking chocolate and caramel brew, the Rusty Spur Amber Ale hits the spot. The Union Hall team pair each craft beer with delicious bites from the kitchen and frequently reshapes their food menu.

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10. Bar 3 BBQ and Brewing

Although the Bar 3 BBQ and Brewing Bozeman location is currently closed for remodelling, you can drive 15 minutes down the road to Belgrade for a delectable BBQ and beer pairing. Situated on Belgrade’s Main Street just minutes away from Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport, Bar 3 is the perfect place to fill your growler. The food menu features Big Sky style dishes combined with Southern flair for an incredible BBQ experience.

From amber ales to imperial IPAs, Bar 3 produces a wide variety of beers on tap for customers to sample. Its list of ales includes an Imperial Red Ale, Scotch Ale, Alpenglow Amber Ale, and Belgreat Brown Ale. The Iron Horse Imperial IPA packs a punch, and the Last Chair Winter Witbier complements snowy afternoons on the slopes. Other brews include the Bomber Espresso Stout, AWS IPA, Nunatak Vienna Lager, Bare Knuckle Stout, and Nitro 64 Lemongrass White IPA.

 

Which of the breweries in Bozeman sounds like it will be your favorite? Let me know in the comments below.