Breweries in Montana produce a wide range of beers in different styles that are marketed locally, regionally, and nationally. Brewing companies vary widely in the volume and variety of beer produced, from small nanobreweries and microbreweries to massive multinational conglomerate macrobreweries.
In 2012 Montana's 38 brewing establishments (including breweries, brewpubs, importers, and company-owned packagers and wholesalers) employed 220 people directly, and more than 4,700 others in related jobs such as wholesaling and retailing.[1] As of September 2015, there are 60 breweries in operation in the state of Montana. [2]
Including people directly employed in brewing, as well as those who supply Montana's breweries with everything from ingredients to machinery, the total business and personal tax revenue generated by Montana's breweries and related industries was more than $98 million.[1] Consumer purchases of Montana's brewery products generated more than $21 million extra in tax revenue.[3] In 2012, according to the Brewers Association, Montana ranked 3rd in the number of craft breweries per capita, with 36.[4]
For context, at the end of 2013 there were 2,822 breweries in the United States, including 2,768 craft breweries subdivided into 1,237 brewpubs, 1,412 microbreweries and 119 regional craft breweries.[5] In that same year, according to the Beer Institute, the brewing industry employed around 43,000 Americans in brewing and distribution and had a combined economic impact of more than $246 billion.[6]
Legal information
Definitions
According to the Montana Code Annotated 2009, section 16-1-106:[7]
| “ |
(5) (a) "Beer" means:
- (i) a malt beverage containing not more than 8.75% of alcohol by volume; or
- (ii) an alcoholic beverage containing not more than 14% alcohol by volume:
- (A) that is made by the alcoholic fermentation of an infusion or decoction, or a combination of both, in potable brewing water, of malted cereal grain; and
- (B) in which the sugars used for fermentation of the alcoholic beverage are at least 75% derived from malted cereal grain measured as a percentage of the total dry weight of the fermentable ingredients.
(b) The term does not include a caffeinated or stimulant-enhanced malt beverage. |
” |
and section 16-3-213, Brewers or beer importers not to retail beer—small brewery exceptions:[8]
| “ |
(2) (a) For the purposes of this section, a "small brewery" is a brewery that has an annual nationwide production of not less than 100 barrels or more than 10,000 barrels.
(b) A small brewery may, at one location for each brewery license, provide samples of beer that were brewed and fermented on the premises in a sample room located on the licensed premises. The samples may be provided with or without charge between the hours of 10 a.m. and 8 p.m. No more than 48 ounces of malt beverage may be sold or given to each individual customer during a business day. |
” |
Licensing
The roots of Montana’s liquor licensing system date back to 1933, when Prohibition ended and taverns sprung up throughout the state. In 1947, the state enacted a quota system, allowing one tavern for every 1,500 residents of a city. However, the taverns in existence at the time were grandfathered in, and what the state considers to be an excess of liquor licenses now exists in Montana cities.[9]
History
- 1863 - "Gilbert Brewery" was founded by Henry Gilbert, Christian Ritcher, and William Smith, making it one of the Montana Territory's first breweries, though it was not the first.[11] Originally called "Thorn-Smith Brewery" and then "Virginia Brewery", the brewery continued until Montana Prohibition laws went into effect around 1916–1918. The brewery re-opened in 1934 but closed for good in 1974.[12]
- 1926 - Montana became the first state to repeal Prohibition enforcement. The petition to lift the ban stated its purpose was "to restore constitutional rights and liberty in the state of Montana by repealing all laws relative to prohibition except those relating to minors."[13] Efforts to reinstate the law two years later in 1928 failed.[14]
- 1997 - The cabaret license was created as a reaction to the fast-rising prices of regular liquor licenses. Cabaret licenses are more affordable and allowed restaurant owners to sell wine and beer.[15]
Breweries
406 Brewing Company
406 Brewing Company is a microbrewery and tasting room in Bozeman. It was opened by Matt Muth, a home brewer since college, in 2011, as the second brewery within Bozeman's city limits. Due to its recent opening, its production is limited, with no brews made regularly. It plans on offering food service in the near future.[16][17]
| Beer[18] | Type | abv% | Season |
| English Pale | English Pale Ale | | |
| JAMBER Ale | Amber Ale | | |
| May Fest | Amber Ale | 5.5 | |
| Porter | Porter | | |
| Session Pale | American Pale Ale | 4.6 | |
Angry Hank's Microbrewery
Angry Hank's Microbrewery| Location |
Billings |
|---|
| Opened |
2006 (2006) |
|---|
| Owner(s) |
Tim Mohr |
|---|
Angry Hank's Brewing is located in a former service station in a part of Downtown Billings known locally as the Brewery District. It was opened in 2006 by Tim Mohr, who had worked as a brewer at Red Lodge Ales for five years.[19] The Angry Hank from which the brewery gets its name is not part of the organization, but instead a Miller Genuine Draft-drinking friend of the family who always seemed angry. The idea for the name came when someone, in an attempt to console Hank said to him, "Don't be angry Hank," just as Mohr and his family were having troubles deciding on a name for the then-proposed establishment.[20]
Angry Hank's does not bottle its beer, and sells about 90% of its beer on site. Popularity of the relatively new brewery, credited in part by Mohr to nearby downtown hotel tourists and the taproom's hours coinciding with happy hour, has led to a stretched supply. Given such, the owner is considering expanding in the near future.[20]
| Beer | Type | abv% | Season |
| Bah Humbock | Dunkler Bock | 6.8 | Winter |
| Blonde Ale | Golden Ale/Blond Ale | 4 | |
| Dirty Girl Dunkel Weizen | Dunkelweizen | 5.5 | Summer |
| Dog Slobber Brown Ale | Brown Ale | 5 | |
| English Pale Ale | English Pale Ale | 5 | Spring |
| Espresso Porter | Porter | 5.3 | |
| Fried Dynamite Stout | Sweet Stout | 5.8 | Autumn |
| Frost Killer Scottish Ale | Scottish Ale | 5.5 | Autumn |
| Grizz Whizz | Wheat Ale | 4 | Summer |
| Head Trauma India Pale Ale | India Pale Ale (IPA) | 6 | |
| Mood Swing | Brown Ale | 5 | Summer |
| Münchner Helles | Premium Lager | 4.5 | Autumn |
| Octoberfest | Oktoberfest/Märzen | 5 | Autumn |
| Pastey White Boy Prohibition Style Ale | Cream Ale | 4 | Summer |
| Smoked Porter | Porter | | Special |
| Street Fight Imperial Red Ale | Amber Ale | 6.5 | |
Awards
Bayern Brewing
Main article:
Bayern BrewingBayern Brewery was opened in 1987 as the "only German brewery in the Rockies," and today is the oldest operating brewery in Montana. Brewers Thorsten Geuera and Jürgen Knöller are both from Germany and use all German equipment and recipes.[21] Knöller was born and raised in Bavaria, Germany (Bayern in German, hence the company's name), where he was apprenticed. He graduated as a Masterbrewer from Doemans' Masterschool for Brewing and Soft Drink Technology in Munich in 1987, after which he became the brewmaster for Bayern Brewing.[22]
All beer at Bayern is brewed according to Reinheitsgebot, otherwise known as the German Beer Purity Law or the Bavarian Purity Law. The law, originating in the city of Ingolstadt in the duchy of Bavaria, Germany in 1516,[23] concerns the standards for the sale and composition of beer. In the original text, the only ingredients that could be used in the production of beer were water, barley, and hops. The law also set the price of beer at 1-2 Pfennig per Maß.
At almost 10,000 barrels of brew a year, Bayern is the second largest brewery in Montana after Big Sky Brewing. Knöller has had facilities at three different locations, but the most recent move in 2002 was structured so that it could be expanded to produce up to 100,000 barrels per year if needed.[21]
| Beer | Type | abv% | Season |
| Amber | American Dark Lager | 5.3 | |
| Dancing Trout Ale (formerly Trout Slayer) | German Kristallweizen | 5.6 | |
| Dark Wheat | Dunkelweizen | 5.6 | Winter |
| Doppelbock | Doppelbock | 8.4 | Winter |
| Dortmunder Uber Gans | Dortmunder/Helles | | |
| Dragons Breath Dark Heff Ale | Dunkelweizen | 5.6 | Special |
| Dump Truck | Heller Bock | 6 | Summer |
| Face Plant | Doppel weizen | 7.5 | Winter |
| Killarney | American Dark Lager | 5.7 | Spring |
| Maibock | Maibock | 6.5 | Spring |
| Oktoberfest | Oktoberfest/Märzen | 6 | Autumn |
| Pilsener | Pilsener | 5 | |
| Schwarzbier | Schwarzbier | 4.8 | |
| St. Wilbur Weizen | German Hefeweizen | 5.6 | Summer |
| Traditional Dark | Dunkel | 5.3 | |
Awards
| Beer | Category | Medal/Award | Year | Bestower |
| Dark Doppelbock | German-Style Strong Doppelbock | Gold | 1999 | North American Beer Awards |
| Doppelbock | German-Style Strong Doppelbock | Silver | 2001 | North American Beer Awards |
| Dragon's Breath Dark Heff | South German-Style Dunkel Weizen/Weissbier | Silver | 2010 | US Open Beer Championship |
| | | Judges Award | 2010 | US Open Beer Championship |
| Dump Truck | German-Style Heller Bock/Maibock | Bronze | 2010 | US Open Beer Championship |
| Maibock | German-Style Heller Bock/Maibock | Silver | 2003 | North American Beer Awards |
| | | Silver | 2000 | North American Beer Awards |
| Schwarzbier | German-Style Schwarzbier | Silver | 1999 | North American Beer Awards |
Beaver Creek Brewery
Beaver Creek Brewery| Location |
Wibaux |
|---|
| Opened |
August 8, 2008 (2008-08-08) |
|---|
| Owner(s) |
Jim Devine
Sandy Stinnett
Russell Houck |
|---|
| Website |
beavercreekbrewery.com |
|---|
Located at the edge of Eastern Montana, Beaver Creek Brewery describes itself as "an oasis in a desert of no microbreweries". As of 2008, the brewery was brewing at its capacity of about 200 barrels a year, and, despite its low production, has a distribution area spanning hundreds of miles because of the low population density of the region.[24]
The brewery was set up in Wibaux's historic old business district with equipment salvaged from the former Milestown Brewing Company in a former grocery store that had been closed since 1986.[25] As of 2012, Beaver Creek Brewery is the only brewery in the southeast region of Montana.
| Beer | Type | abv% | Season |
| Castor Mexican Amber | Amber Ale | 4.6 | |
| Choke Cherry Wheat | Fruit Beer | | Spring |
| Paddlefish Stout | Stout | 6.3 | |
| Pale Ale | American Pale Ale | 6.6 | |
| Redheaded IPA | India Pale Ale (IPA) | 7.3 | |
| Rough Rider Wheat | Wheat Ale | 4 | Autumn |
| Rusty Beaver Wheat | Wheat Ale | 7.6 | |
| Sippin Pumpkin Ale | Spice/Herb/Vegetable | | Autumn |
| Wibaux Gold | Golden Ale/Blond Ale | 5.5 | |
Big Sky Brewing Co.
Big Sky Brewing Company| Location |
Missoula |
|---|
| Opened |
1995 (1995) |
|---|
| Annual production volume |
38,000 US barrels |
|---|
| Owner(s) |
Neal Leathers, Bjorn Nabozney, and Brad Robinson |
|---|
| Website |
bigskybrew.com |
|---|
Big Sky Brewing Company is a microbrewery in Missoula, founded in 1995 by Neal Leathers, Bjorn Nabozney, and Brad Robinson.[26]
| Beer | Type | abv % | Season |
|---|
| 406 Series Saison Belgian Farmhouse Ale | Saison | | |
| Barley Wine | Barley Wine | | |
| Belgian Brown Ale | Belgian Ale | 7.8 | Special |
| Biere de Noel | Abt/Quadrupel | 8.75 | Winter |
| Bobos Robust Porter | Porter | 6.2 | Winter |
| Bohemian Rhapsody Czech-Style Pilzner | Bohemian Pilsener | | |
| Bottleworks XI Anniversary Ale | American Strong Ale | 11 | Special |
| Bourbon Barrel Aged IPA | India Pale Ale (IPA) | 6.2 | Special |
| Buckin’ Monk Tripel | Abbey Tripel | 10.5 | |
| Cowboy Coffee | Porter | | |
| Crystal Ale | Golden Ale/Blond Ale | 4.7 | Summer |
| Double IPA | Imperial/Double IPA | 7.8 | Special |
| E.S.B. (Extra Special Bitter) | Premium Bitter/ESB | 5.2 | |
| Elephant Rock Imperial Saison | Saison | | |
| Extra Pale Ale | American Pale Ale | 4.7 | Special |
| Heavy Horse Scotch Ale | Scotch Ale | 6.7 | Autumn |
| Imperial Ale | Belgian Strong Ale | 15.5 | Special |
| Imperial Stout | Imperial Stout | | |
| IPA | India Pale Ale (IPA) | 6.2 | |
| Ivan the Terrible | Imperial Stout | 8.75 | Special |
| Kriek Ale | Fruit Beer | 10 | Special |
| MDX | American Strong Ale | 10 | Special |
| Mexican Lager | Pale Lager | 4.6 | Special |
| Montana Trout Slayer Ale | Wheat Ale | 4.7 | |
| Moose Drool | Brown Ale | 5.3 | |
| Olde Bluehair Barleywine | Barley Wine | 8.75 | |
| Barrel Aged Ivan the Terrible | Imperial Stout | | Special |
| Powder Hound Winter Ale | English Strong Ale | 6.2 | Winter |
| Scape Goat Pale Ale | American Pale Ale | 4.7 | |
| Slow Elk Oatmeal Stout | Sweet Stout | 4.9 | |
| Smoove Cherry Ale | Fruit Beer | 8.75 | Special |
| Summer Honey | Golden Ale/Blond Ale | 4.7 | Summer |
| Weekend at Bernie\'s Pilsner | Bohemian Pilsener | | Special |
| Wit | Belgian White (Witbier) | 4.7 | |
Awards
| Beer | Category | Medal | Year | Bestower[27] |
| Barley Wine | Barley Wine-Style Ale | Bronze | 2001 | North American Beer Awards |
| Bière de Noël | Belgian-Style Dark Strong Ale | Gold | 2006 | North American Beer Awards |
| | | Gold | 2003 | North American Beer Awards |
| Bourbon Barleywine | Wood- and Barrel-aged Strong Beer | Silver | 2005 | Festival of Wood and Barrel-Aged Beer |
| Ivan the Terrible Imperial Stout | Imperial Stout | Gold | 2003 | Festival of Wood and Barrel-Aged Beer |
| Moose Drool Brown Ale | Brown Porter | Silver | 2006 | Los Angeles County Fair Competition |
| | | Gold | 2003 | North American Beer Awards |
| Powder Hound Winter Ale | Old Ale | Bronze | 2003 | North American Beer Awards |
| | | Gold | 2002 | North American Beer Awards |
| Scape Goat Pale | American-Style Pale Ale | Gold | 1999 | North American Beer Awards |
| Summer Honey Seasonal Ale | Specialty Honey Beer | Gold | 2006 | Los Angeles County Fair Competition |
| | | Bronze | 2006 | North American Beer Awards |
| | | Silver | 2003 | North American Beer Awards |
| | | Bronze | 2002 | North American Beer Awards |
| | | Silver | 2000 | North American Beer Awards |
Bitter Root Brewing
Bitter Root Brewing is a brewpub in Hamilton, opened in 1998 by Tim Bozik and his daughter Nicol.
| Beer | Type | abv % | Season |
|---|
| Amber Ale | Amber Ale | | |
| American Amber Ale | Amber Ale | 5.45 | |
| Belgian Dubble | Abbey Dubbel | 6.5 | |
| Belgian Honey Trippel | Abbey Tripel | 9.75 | |
| Belgian Style Amber Ale | Amber Ale | | |
| Belgian Trippel | Abbey Tripel | 8.73 | |
| Belgian WitBier | Belgian White (Witbier) | 4.96 | |
| Black IPA | Black IPA | | |
| Bourbon Imperial Stout | Imperial Stout | 7.2 | |
| CollaBEERation Baltic Porter | Baltic Porter | 9 | |
| ESB | Premium Bitter/ESB | | |
| Hefeweizen | German Hefeweizen | | |
| Helles Bock | Heller Bock | | |
| Huckleberry Honey Ale | Fruit Beer | 5.9 | |
| Imperial IPA | Imperial/Double IPA | 9.35 | |
| India Pale Ale | India Pale Ale (IPA) | | |
| Irish Amber Ale | Irish Ale | 5.53 | |
| Irish Stout | Sweet Stout | 3.82 | |
| Nut Brown Ale | Brown Ale | | |
| Oatmeal Stout | Sweet Stout | | |
| Oktoberfest Lager Beer | Oktoberfest/Märzen | 5.68 | |
| One Year Aged Barley Wine | Barley Wine | 8.24 | |
| Pale Ale | English Pale Ale | | |
| Poor Richards Ale | Old Ale | 6.1 | |
| Porter | Porter | | |
| RYE Pale Ale | Specialty Grain | 6.33 | |
| Sawtooth Ale | Golden Ale/Blond Ale | | |
| Scottish Style Amber Ale | Scottish Ale | | |
| Single Hop Ale - CTZ | India Pale Ale (IPA) | 6.33 | |
| Single Hop Ale - Glacier | India Pale Ale (IPA) | 6.25 | |
| Single Hop Ale - Simcoe | India Pale Ale (IPA) | 6.3 | |
| Single Hop Ale - Summit | India Pale Ale (IPA) | 6.25 | |
| Smoked Hefeweizen | Smoked | | |
| Summer Saison | Saison | | |
| Winter Warmer | English Strong Ale | 6.46 | |
| Zaxan Coffee Milk Stout | Stout | 6.33 | |
Black Eagle Brewery
| Beer | Type | abv % | Season | IBU |
|---|
| Copper Nail | Nut Brown Ale | | All | |
| Smelter Man | Blonde Ale | 5 | All | |
Blackfoot River Brewing
Blackfoot River Brewing is a microbrewery in Helena, opened in 1998 by Brian Smith, Greg Wermers, and Brad Simshaw.
| Beer | Type | abv % | Season |
|---|
| 2009 Brewer’s Reserve Barley Wine Ale | Barley Wine | 10.8 | Special |
| Belgian Tripel | Abbey Tripel | | Autumn |
| Blue Collar Bitter | Premium Bitter/ESB | 5.8 | |
| Bourbon Barrel Tartanic Strong Scottish Ale | Scottish Ale | | Seasonal |
| Cream Ale | Cream Ale | 4.6 | Summer |
| Double Black Diamond Extreme Stout | Dry Stout | 6.9 | |
| Gold (Organic Pale Ale) | American Pale Ale | 5.2 | |
| Imperial Stout 2008 | Imperial Stout | | Special |
| Lewis and Clark Dark | Brown Ale | 5.4 | |
| Lightfoot Pilsner | Pilsener | 5.2 | Summer |
| MacKenzie River Driftboat Amber | Ameber Ale | 4.5 | |
| Maibock | Heller Bock | 7.2 | |
| Mardi Gras Red | Amber Ale | 5.7 | |
| Missouri River Steamboat Lager | California Common | 5.6 | |
| North Fork Organic Porter | Porter | 6.5 | |
| Octoberfest | Oktoberfest/Märzen | 5.6 | Authumn |
| Pale Bock | Heller Bock | 7.2 | Winter |
| Single Malt IPA | India Pale Ale (IPA) | 6.9 | |
| Tartanic Strong Scottish Ale | Scottish Ale | 7.75 | Winter |
| Woollybugger Wheat | German Hefeweizen | 6 | |
[28]
Blacksmith Brewing Company
Blacksmith Brewing Company is a brewpub/brewery in Stevensville, opened in 2008 by Eric Hayes.
| Beer | Type | abv % | Season |
|---|
| Backwoods Barley Wine | Barley Wine | 12.3 | Winter |
| Black Iron Malty IPA | Black IPA | 6 | Summer |
| Black Out Oatmeal Stout | Sweet Stout | 8 | |
| Bourbon Barrel Aged Porter | Porter | 7 | Special |
| Bourbon Barrel Backwoods Barley Wine | Bareley Wine | 12.3 | Special |
| Brickhouse Blonde | Golden Ale/Blond Ale | 5 | |
| Cutthroat IPA | India Pale Ale (IPA) | 6.2 | |
| Fall Line Winter Ale | American Strong Ale | 8.5 | Winter |
| Hopper Hefeweizen | German Hefeweizen | 6 | Summer |
| Imperial Red Ale | American Strong Ale | 7.2 | Summer |
| Montana Amber Ale | Amber Ale | 5.4 | |
| P.D. Pale Ale | American Pale Ale | 6 | |
| Pulaski Porter | Porter | 7 | |
| Simcoe Pale Ale | American Pale Ale | 6.2 | Special |
| Twisted Paddle Pale Ale | American Pale Ale | 5.5 | |
| Vanilla Porter | Porter | | Special |
[29]
Bowser Brewing
Bowser Brewing is a microbrewery in Great Falls, opened by Evan Bowser in 2011.
Bozeman Brewing Company
Bozeman Brewing Company is a microbrewery in Bozeman, opened by Todd Scott in 2001.
| Beer | Type | abv % | Season |
|---|
| Belgian Wit | Belgian White (Witbier) | 5 | |
| Best Damn Ale | Amber Ale | 5.5 | |
| Blackmore Lager | American Dark Lager | 4.5 | Summer |
| Bourbon Barleywine | Barley Wine | 10 | |
| Bozone Batch 100 Pale Ale | American Pale Ale | 6.5 | Special |
| Bozone Hefe Weizen | Wheat Ale | 6 | |
| Bozone HopZone IPA | India Pale Ale (IPA) | 7.2 | |
| Bozone Nitro Stout | Stout | | |
| Bozone Select Amber Ale | Amber Ale | 5.5 | |
| Buzzkill Java Stout | Stout | | Special |
| Debacle Pale Ale | American Pale Ale | 6 | Spring |
| Funky Virtue | Sour Ale/Wild Ale | | Special |
| Harvestfest Lager | Oktoberfest/Märzen | 5.6 | Special |
| Hopsimelia (Imperial IPA) | Imperial/Double IPA | | Spring |
| House Bill 400 | Barley Wine | 10 | Special |
| Hylander Scottish Ale | Scottish Ale | 6.2 | Summer |
| Maibock | Heller Bock | | Spring |
| Mt Common | California Common | 5.2 | |
| Nutbrown | Brown Ale | | Winter |
| Oktoberfest | Oktoberfest/Märzen | | Autumn |
| Pale Project | American Pale Ale | 7 | |
| Pinhead Pils | Pilsener | 5 | |
| Plum St. Porter | Porter | 5.75 | |
| Pumpkin | Spice/Herb/Vegetable | 5 | |
| Spring IPA | India Pale Ale (IPA) | | Spring |
| Terroir | India Pale Ale (IPA) | 7.1 | Autumn |
| The Great One | American Strong Ale | 10.5 | Winter |
| Watershed Pale Ale | American Pale Ale | 5.4 | Special |
| Wee Nip | Barley Wine | 11.6 | Winter |
[30]
Flagship Beer: Bozone Select
Carter's Brewing
Carter's Brewing Company is a brewpub in Billings, opened in 2007 by Michael, Becky, and Carter Uhrich.
| Beer | Type | abv % | Season |
|---|
| 3440 English Bitter | Bitter | | Special |
| Biere de Printemps | Bière de Garde | | |
| Billings Co-Hop Harvest Ale | India Pale Ale (IPA) | 6 | Autumn |
| Black Magic Porter | Porter | 5 | |
| Blackened Cascadian Dark IPA | Black IPA | | |
| Bourbon Barrel Aged Black Magic Porter | Porter | 5.2 | Special |
| Boxcar Brown Ale | Brown Ale | 5.3 | Special |
| Carter The Great Imperial Oatmeal Stout | Imperial Stout | | |
| Carterfestbier | Oktoberfest/Märzen | 5.5 | Autumn |
| Coldwater Kölsch | Kölsch | | |
| Consequence Belgian Sour Brown | Sour Ale/Wild Ale | | Special |
| Cru Ale Deville Sour Ale | Sour Ale/Wild Ale | | Special |
| De-Railed IPA | India Pale Ale (IPA) | 6.5 | |
| Downtown Dunkel | Dunkel | 4.8 | Autumn |
| Golden Spike Pilsener Lager | Pilsener | 4.8 | Autumn |
| Handcar Hefeweizen | German Hefeweizen | 4.8 | |
| Hop Delivery Vehicle | American Pale Ale | 6 | Autumn |
| Indulge Belgian Style IPA | India Pale Ale (IPA) | 6.4 | Winter |
| Island Fever Coconut Porter | Porter | | Special |
| Kriek du Carter | Lambic - Fruit | 7 | Special |
| La Grisette Farmhouse Style Ale | Saison | 5.5 | summer |
| Magic City Mild Ale | Mild Ale | 5 | |
| Midnight Express Oatmeal Stout | Sweet Stout | 5 | Autumn |
| Mothers Milk Oak Aged IPA | India Pale Ale (IPA) | 6.5 | Special |
| Off The Wall Amber Ale | Amber Ale | | Special |
| One Timer Holiday Porter | Imperial/Stong Porter | 7.5 | Winter |
| One Timer Winter Ale | American Strong Ale | 8 | Winter |
| Passion Belgian Pale Ale | Belgian Ale | 5 | Autumn |
| Pickers Pride Pale Ale | American Pale Ale | 5 | |
| Proper English Pale Ale | English Pale Ale | | |
| Rob Moore Abbey Ale | Abbey Dubbel | 7.2 | Special |
| Roundhouse Red Ale | Amber Ale | 5.5 | Spring |
| Saison De Carter | Saison | 6.5 | Special |
| Single and Celibate Trappist-Style Single Ale | Belgian Ale | 5.5 | Autumn |
| Station Master Pale Ale | American Pale Ale | 5.4 | |
| Summer Kölsch | Kölsch | | Summer |
| Switchyard Scottish Ale | Scottish Ale | | Special |
| Trainwreck Imperial IPA | Imperial/Double IPA | 8.6 | Autumn |
| White Lightning Ale | Belgian White (Witbier) | 4.5 | Winter |
| Young Buck Strong Pale Ale | American Strong Ale | | Special |
[31]
Draught Works Brewery
Draught Works Brewery is a microbrewery and tasting room in Missoula. It was opened by Paul Marshall and Jeff Grant in 2011. Both studied brewing at the Siebel Institute of Technology and World Brewing Academy in Chicago. The brewery has six flagship beers.[32]
| Beer | Type | abv% | Season |
| Clothing Optional | Pale Ale | 5.2 | All |
| Gwin Du | Welsh Style Tribute Stout | 5.3 | All |
| Quill Pig | Czech Style Pilsner | 5.0 | All |
| Scepter Head | India Pale Ale | 6.1 | All |
| Shadow Caster | Alt Beer | 5.0 | All |
| "That's What She Said" | Cream Ale | 5.2 | All |
|
Flathead Lake Brewing Company
Flathead Lake Brewing Company is a brewpub/brewery in Woods Bay, opened in 2004 by Greg Johnston.
| Beer | Type | abv % | Season |
|---|
| 369' Stout | Stout | 6.5 | Winter |
| Dock Start Amber Ale | Amber Ale | 5.6 | |
| Bufflehead Brown Ale | Brown Ale | 6.2 | |
| The Centennial IPA | India Pale Ale (IPA) | 7.3 | |
| Galaxy Pale Ale | American Pale Ale | 5.3 | Special |
| Holiday Ale | Winter Warmer | 7.7 | |
| The Imperial IPA | Imperial/Double IPA | 8.8 | |
| Painted Rock Porter | Porter | 5.6 | |
| Rising Sun Espresso Porter | Porter | 5.6 | |
| Swimmer's Itch Saison | Saison | 5.3 | Summer |
| Treble Hook Tripel | Belgian | 9.4 | |
| Two Rivers Pale Ale | American Pale Ale | 5.5 | |
| Wild Mile Wheat | American-Style Hefeweizen | 5.1 | |
[33][34]
The Front Brewing Co.
| Beer | Type | abv % | Season | IBU |
|---|
| Apocalyptico | Wheat Ale | 9.5 | Seasonal | 30 |
| Keep Cool Creek | Blonde Ale | 5.4 | All | 19 |
| Mountain Man | Scotch Ale | 6.8 | All | 22 |
| Pack Mule Porter | Porter | 5.6 | All | |
| River Water IPA | American India Pale Ale | 6.9 | All | 67 |
| Skyfire Amber | American Amber Ale | 5.3 | All | 22 |
Glacier Brewing Company
Glacier Brewing Company is a microbrewery in Polson, opened in 2003 by Dave Ayers.
| Beer | Type | abv % | Season |
|---|
| Bald Beaver Barley Wine | Barley Wine | 10 | Special |
| Brewers Reserve - Biere De Mars | Saison | | Spring |
| Brewers Reserve - Hop Garden Pilsner | Bohemian Pilsener | | |
| Brewers Reserve - Old Scottish Bastard | Scottish Ale | | Special |
| Brewers Reserve - Wet Willy’s Ale | Fruit Beer | | Autumn |
| Centennial Scottish Ale | Scottish Ale | | Special |
| Dunkel Hefeweizen | Dunkelweizen | | Winter |
| Flathead Cherry Ale | Fruit Beer | 5.5 | Summer |
| Golden Grizzly Ale | Kölsch | 5.5 | |
| North Fork Amber | Albier | 5.5 | |
| One Barrel Batch - Aged Nitro Amber | Amber Ale | | Special |
| One Barrel Batch - Barrel Aged Oktoberfest | Oktoberfest/Märzen | | Special |
| One Barrel Batch - Barrel Bomber Stout | Dry Stout | 5.5 | Special |
| One Barrel Batch - Pete’s Pennypincher Pale Ale | American Pale Ale | 5.2 | Special |
| Port Polson Pilsner | Pilsener | 5.5 | |
| Select Octoberfest | Oktoberfest/Märzen | 6.7 | Autumn |
| Slurry Bomber Stout | Dry Stout | 5.5 | |
| Snowy Owl Stout | Stout | | |
| Wild Wolf Wheat | Wheat Ale | | Summer |
[35]
Great Northern Brewing Company
Great Northern Brewing Company is a microbrewery in Whitefish, opened in 1995 by Minott Wessinger.
| Beer | Type | abv % | Season |
|---|
| Wheatfish Wheat Lager | American Style Wheat Lager | 4.75 | Flagship |
| Going To The Sun IPA | India Pale Ale (IPA) | 5.7 | Flagship |
| Wild Huckleberry | Filtered Wheat Beer with Fruit | 4.6 | Flagship |
| Good Medicine Imperial Red Ale | Imperial Red Ale | 8.0 | Flagship |
| Guy on a Buffalo Coffee Stout | Coffee Stout | 5.1 | 2014 Weathervane Series |
| Equinox Single Hopped Pale Ale | Pale Ale | 5.3 | 2014 Weathervane Series |
| Empire Builder Imperial Pilsner | Imperial Pilsner | 7.3 | 2014 Weathervane Series |
| TPA | Tea Pale Ale | 7.3 | Spring Seasonal |
| Amber Waves of Grain | American Lager | 5.3 | 2014 Weathervane Series |
| Dark and Ominous | Ginger, Vanilla and Oak Stout | 7.7 | 2014 Weathervane Series |
| iSanto Dios! | Mole Stout | 8.7 | 2014 Weathervane Series |
| Frog Hop Fresh Hopped Pale Ale | American Pale Ale | 5.0 | Fall Seasonal |
| Glacier Chaser | Oktoberfest/Märzen | 5.6 | September Release |
| SnowGhost Winter Lager | American Dark Lager | 5.9 | Retired |
| Bucking Horse Pilsner | Bohemian Pilsener | 5.1 | Retired |
| Fred's Black Lager | Schwarzbier | 4.9 | Retired 2012 |
| Highlander Scottish Ale | Scottish Ale | 4.6 | Contract |
| Black Star Amber Export | Pale Lager | | Retired 2002 |
| Hellroaring Amber | Amber Ale | 5.1 | Retired 2013 |
| Black Star Black Lager | Schwartzbier | | Retired 2002 |
| Bucking Horse Pilsner | Pilsener | | Retired 2012 |
| Black Star Golden Lager | Pale Lager | 4.6 | Retired 2013 |
| Bear Naked Amber | Vienna | 7 | Retired 2006 |
| Big Fog ESB | Premium Bitter/ESB | 6 | Retired 2012 |
| Bourbon Barrel Aged #1 Pack String Porter | Porter | 5.2 | One time release 2010 |
| Bourbon Barrel Aged #2 Big Fog | Premium Bitter/ESB | 6.1 | One-time release 2010 |
| Experiment #1 | American Pale Ale | | One-time release 2009 |
| Pack String Porter | Porter | 5 | Retired |
|
[36][37]
Flagship Beer: Black Star Double Hopped Golden Lager
Harvest Moon Brewing Company
Harvest Moon Brewing Company is a microbrewery in Belt, opened in 1996 by Stan Guedesse.
| Beer | Type | abv % | Season |
|---|
| Beltian White | Belgian White (Witbier) | 4.75 | |
| Big Boned Stout | Stout | | |
| Charlie Russell Red | Premium Bitter/ESB | | |
| Coyote Ugly IPA | India Pale Ale (IPA) | | |
| Electric City Pale Ale | American Pale Ale | | |
| Great Falls Select | Pilsener | | |
| Montana Amber | Amber Ale | | |
| Mulligan | Golden Ale/Blond Ale | | |
| Nut Brown Ale | Brown Ale | | Autumn |
| Pigs Ass Porter | Porter | 5 | |
[38]
Flagship Beer: Beltian White
Kettle House Brewing Company
Kettle House Brewing Company is a brewery in Missoula that started in 1991 by Tim O'Leary as a "you-brew." It now consists of two separate small brewing facilities and taprooms in Missoula.
| Beer | Type | abv % | Season |
|---|
| Al Pilsner | Pilsener | 5 | Summer |
| Barleywine | Barley Wine | 9 | |
| Brick and Mortar Imperial Porter | Imperial/Stong Porter | 11.5 | Special |
| Cold Smoke Scotch Ale | Scottish Ale | 6.5 | |
| Crystal Pils | Pilsener | | |
| Czech Style Pils | Bohemian Pilsener | | Special |
| Disc Down Oatmeal Brown Ale | Brown Ale | | |
| Discombobulator Doppelbock | Doppelbock | 8.5 | Special |
| Double Haul IPA | India Pale Ale (IPA) | 6.6 | |
| Eddy Out Pale Ale | American Pale Ale | 5.5 | |
| ESB | Premium Bitter/ESB | | Autumn |
| Festival of the Dead Very Pale Ale | American Pale Ale | 5.5 | Autumn |
| Fresh Bongwater Pale Ale | American Pale Ale | 5 | |
| Garden City Pale Ale | American Pale Ale | 5 | |
| German Alt | Altbier | 6.5 | R |
| Ginseng Pale Ale | Spice/Herb/Vegetable | 5 | Special |
| Ginseng SRB (Sports Recovery Beer) | Spice/Herb/Vegetable | | |
| Hefe Pumple | Spice/Herb/Vegetable | 5 | Autumn |
| Hellgate Honey Hefeweizen | Wheat Ale | 6 | |
| Hemptober Spliff | Oktoberfest/Märzen | 6.5 | Autumn |
| High Gravity Bongwater Imperial Porter | Imperial/Stong Porter | 9.5 | Winter |
| Hopnosis American Pale Ale | American Pale Ale | 6 | |
| Joe Bong Coffee Porter | Porter | | Special |
| Lake Missoula Amber | Amber Ale | 5.5 | |
| Liberty C.A.P | Pilsener | 6 | |
| Maibock | Heller Bock | 7.5 | Spring |
| Montana Blonde | Golden Ale/Blond Ale | 5 | |
| Myrtle Street IPA | India Pale Ale (IPA) | 6.5 | Special |
| Olde Bongwater Hemp Porter | Porter | 5.5 | |
| Raftsafari Red | Amber Ale | | Special |
| Road Rash Imperial Red Ale | American Strong Ale | | Special |
| Saison | Saison | | Spring |
| Sapped Out Maple Stout | Stout | | Special |
| Seeley Axe | Specialty Grain | | Special |
| Slow Ride Stout | Stout | 6.5 | |
[39]
Flagship Beer: Cold Smoke Scotch Ale
Lewis and Clark Brewing Company
Lewis and Clark Brewing Company is a brewpub/brewery in Helena, opened in 1995. Its name changed from Sleeping Giant Brewing in 2004.
| Beer | Type | abv % | Season |
|---|
| Sleeping Giant Back Country Scottish Ale | Scottish Ale | 5.7 | |
| Sleeping Giant Big Belt Weizenbock | Weizen Bock | | Winter |
| Big Horn Light | Golden Ale/Blond Ale | | |
| Fire Tower Amber | Altbier | 5.7 | |
| In-Between IPA | India Pale Ale (IPA) | | Summer |
| India Pale Lager | Pale Lager | | |
| Lager | Oktoberfest/Märzen | 5.4 | |
| MadMax Fresh Hop IPA | India Pale Ale (IPA) | 7.3 | Autumn |
| Miners Gold Hefeweizen | Wheat Ale | 5.2 | |
| Octoberfest | Oktoberfest/Märzen | | Autumn |
| Portage Porter | Baltic Porter | 7 | Winter |
| Prickly Pear Pale Ale | American Pale Ale | 5 | |
| Smoke Jumper Stout | Dry Stout | | Winter |
| Tumbleweed IPA | India Pale Ale (IPA) | 5.7 | |
| Yellowstone | Kölsch | 5.1 | |
Lone Peak Brewery
Lone Peak Brewery is a brewpub/brewery in Big Sky, opened in 2008 by Steve Nordahl.
| Beer | Type | abv % | Season |
|---|
| Bourbon Barrel Oatmeal Stout | Sweet Stout | | Special |
| Bourbon Barrel Steep N Deep Winter Ale | American Drink Ale | | Special |
| Buck Snort Porter | Porter | | |
| Headplant Pale Ale | American Pale Ale | | |
| Hellroaring ESB | Premium Bitter/ESB | | |
| Hippy Highway Oatmeal Stout | Stout | | |
| Hopfest ’08 | Brown Ale | | Autumn |
| Imperial IPA | Imperial/Double IPA | 9 | Winter |
| IPA | India Pale Ale (IPA) | | |
| Nordic Blonde Ale | Golden Ale/Blond Ale | | |
| Steep N Deep Winter Ale | American Strong Ale | | Winter |
| Swiftwater Pils | Classic German Pilsener | 5 | |
| Wits End Belgian White Ale | Belgian White (Witbier) | | Summer |
[40]
Madison River Brewing Company
Madison River Brewing Company is a brewpub/brewery in Belgrade, opened in 2004 by Doug Frey and Robert Miller.
| Beer | Type | abv % | Season |
|---|
| Brown Ale | Brown Ale | | |
| Chocolate Dunn Java Porter | Porter | 4.5 | Retired |
| Copper John Scotch Ale | Scotch Ale | 7 | |
| Frostbite | Barley Wine | 11.5 | Winter |
| Hopjuice IPA | India Pale Ale (IPA) | 7 | Spring |
| Hopper Pale Ale | American Pale Ale | 5.7 | |
| Irresistible Amber Ale | Amber Ale | 4.5 | |
| Lime Trude | Saison | | Special |
| Muddler Minnow Mild | Mild Ale | 5.5 | Retired |
| Parachute Pilsner | Pilsener | | Special |
| Raspberry Wheat Beer | Fruit Beer | | Retired |
| Salmon Fly Honey Rye | Specialty Grain | 5.6 | |
| Satiator Doppelbock | Doppelbock | | Winter |
| Uncle Funkle Dunkel | Dunkel | | Autumn |
| Woolly Bugger Wit | Belgian White (Witbier) | 4.5 | |
| Yellow Humpy Hefeweizen | German Hefeweizen | 4.5 | |
Flagship Beer: Salmon Fly Honey Rye
Meadowlark Brewing
Meadowlark Brewing opened its doors in the summer of 2014 in the north-eastern town of Sidney, MT. Although located in an area where the local population was primarily big brand drinkers Meadowlark Brewing has made great strides in changing the thoughts and palates of its local imbibers. With a brewing portfolio of over seventeen beers Meadowlark prides itself on being able to provide something for everyone. Meadowlark Brewing is located in the same building as Meadowlark Public House where customers can dine and drink within view of the brewery.
Meadowlark Brewing currently distributes its products across Montana as well as western North Dakota. In addition to draught, Meadowlark packages two of their popular styles in 12 oz. cans with a third style in 16 oz. cans
"Made in Montana. Treasured Everywhere"
| Beer | Type | abv% | Series |
| Ole Gus | Scotch Rye Wee Heavy | 7.0 | Year Round |
| Badlands | Extra Pale Ale | 6.5 | Year Round |
| Black Steer's Tookus | Oatmalt Stout | 5.5 | Year Round |
| Harvester | Cream Ale | 5.5 | Year Round |
| Draco | Amero-Belgo Grand Cru | 8.5 | Constellation |
| Pegasus | Belgian-Style Saison | 6.2 | Constellation |
| Argo | Belgian-Style Biere de Garde | 8 | Constellation |
| Orion | Belgian-Style Tripel | 10.2 | Constellation |
| Teddy Roosevelt American Badass | Imperial Wheat IPA aged on Oak | 7.9 | Flights of Fancy |
| Car Ramrod | Imperial Pilsner | 7.7 | Flights of Fancy |
| Mob Barley | Barleywine | 11.6 | Flights of Fancy |
| Paramour | Chocolate Cherry Stout | 6.2 | Fruits and Fields |
| Fungus Shui | Mushroom Amber Ale | 6 | Fruits and Fields |
| Peach Wheat | American Wheat Ale | 4.5 | Fruits and Fields |
| Raspberry Wit | Belgian-Style Wit | 4.5 | Fruits and Fields |
| Squashtoberfest | Oktoberfest Style Lager | 6.6 | Fruits and Fields |
| Snowflake | Gingerbread Ale | 6.3 | Fruits and Fields |
| Skinny Jeans Lumberjack | Session IPA | 4.7 | Sipster |
Mighty Mo Brewing Co.
| Beer | Type | abv % | Season | IBU |
|---|
| Dam Fog | American Style Hefeweizen | 5 | All | 23 |
| Lip Ripper | India Pale Ale | 6.2 | All | 55 |
| Smoke Jumper | Strong Scotch Ale | 7.3 | All | 20 |
| Rising Trout | Pale Ale | 5.6 | All | 39 |
| Rendezvous Red | Amber Ale | 5.6 | All | 30 |
| Wind Blown Blonde | Blonde Ale | 5 | All | 20 |
Montana Brewing Company
Montana Brewing Company is a brewpub/brewery in Billings, opened in 1994 by CSKT INC.
| Beer | Type | abv % | Season |
|---|
| Ape Hanger Ale | American Strong Ale | 6.3 | Special |
| Beartooth Espresso Porter | Porter | 5.5 | Winter |
| Belgian Strong Pale Ale | Belgian Strong Ale | 7.9 | Special |
| Bighorn Bourbon Stout | Stout | | |
| Billings IPA | India Pale Ale (IPA) | | Special |
| Blind Boar Amber | Amber Ale | | |
| Custers Last Stout | Stout | 5.5 | Special |
| Cutthroat Rye | Specialty Grain | | |
| Dark Side | Stout | | Summer |
| Drunkin Pumpkin Ale | Spice/Herb/Vegetable | 4.5 | Autumn |
| Dry & Dark Hard Cider | Cider | | |
| Fat Belly Amber | Scottish Ale | 4.6 | |
| Foglifter Breakfast Stout | Sweet Stout | | Special |
| Harvest Pale Ale | American Pale Ale | 5.5 | Autumn |
| Holligan’s Irish Red Ale | Irish Ale | | Special |
| Huckleberry Wheat | Fruit Beer | | |
| Legless Double English IPA | English Pale Ale | | |
| Malley’s Irish Dry Stout | Dry Stout | | Special |
| McWoody Scotch Ale | Scotch Ale | | |
| Mistle-Cone IPA | India Pale Ale (IPA) | | Winter |
| Pomegranate Wheat | Fruit Beer | | |
| Raspberry Wheat | Fruit Beer | | Summer |
| Sandbagger Gold | Golden Ale/Blond Ale | 4.7 | |
| Scotch Ale | Scotch Ale | | Winter |
| Sharptail Pale Ale | American Pale Ale | 5.5 | |
| Stillwater Rye Saison | Saison | 5.7 | Autumn |
| Two Moon Saison | Saison | 7.5 | Special |
| Wee Heavy Scotch Ale | Scotch Ale | | Special |
| White Eagle Baltic Porter | Baltic Porter | | Special |
| Whitetail Wheat | Wheat Ale | | |
| Wild Wild Wit | Belgian White (Witbier) | | |
| Montana Jabroni | India Pale Ale (IPA) | | |
[41]
Neptune's Brewery
Neptune's Brewery is a microbrewery in Livingston, opened in 1998 by William Taylor.
| Beer | Type | abv % | Season |
|---|
| Bee Buzz | Spice/Herb/Vegetable | 5 | |
| Belgian Blonde | Belgian Ale | | |
| Belgian White | Belgian White (Witbier) | 5.5 | |
| Chocolate Cream Porter | Porter | | Spring |
| Clipper Nut Brown Ale | Brown Ale | 6 | |
| Dragging Anchor Lager | Pale Lager | 4.5 | Summer |
| Octoberfest Lager | Oktoberfest/Märzen | | Autumn |
| Pale Ale | American Pale Ale | | |
| Pilsener | Pilsener | | |
| Pilsener Light | Pilsener | 4.5 | |
| Shark Bite IPA | India Pale Ale (IPA) | 6.8 | Summer |
| She May Not | Belgian Strong Ale | 12 | Special |
| Smooth Sailing Cream Ale | Cream Ale | | |
| Taylor Made Scottish Ale | Scottish Ale | 6.5 | |
| Toad Back Bock | Dunkler Bock | | |
| Walk The Plank Stout | Sweet Stout | | Winter |
| Whale Tale Abbey | Abbey Dubbel | | Winter |
| Wheat | Wheat Ale | | Special |
Philipsburg Brewing Company
Philipsburg Brewing Company is a microbrewery in Philipsburg, opened in August 2012.[42]
| Beer | Type | ABV% | Season |
| Algonquin "Gonk" | Amber | 5.8 | Year round |
| Badfinger | Imperial Stout | 10 | Year round |
| Bourbon Barrel Badfinger | Barrel Aged Imperial Stout | 11.5 | Special |
| Czech One-Two | Czech Pilsner | 5.6 | Year round |
| Corners Porter | Coffee Porter | 6.6 | Year round |
| Five Phantoms | Pumpkin Barley Wine | 8.4 | Special |
| Flint Creek | California Common | 4.2 | |
| Haybag | American Hefeweizen | 5.7 | Year round |
| HEYpricot | Apricot American Hefeweizen | 5.7 | Special |
| Hoptower #1 | Single Hop IPA | 6.4 | |
| Hoptower #2 | Single Hop IPA | 6.4 | |
| Hot Spot | Blood Orange IPA | 7.5 | Fire season |
| Incarcerator | Doppelbock | 8.2 | |
| Otter Water | Session Pale Ale | 4.5 | Year round |
| Razzu! | Raspberry Wheat | 5.2 | Year round |
| Rope Swing | Saison | 5.7 | Year round |
| Tramway | Rye Pale Ale | 6.4 | Year round |
Quarry Brewing
Quarry Brewing| Location |
Butte |
|---|
| Opened |
August 29, 2007 (2007-08-29) |
|---|
| Annual production volume |
US barrels |
|---|
| Owner(s) |
Chuck and Lyza Schnabel |
|---|
| Website |
wedigbeer.com |
|---|
Quarry Brewery is a microbrewery in Butte, opened in 2007 by Chuck Schnabel.
| Beer | Type | abv % | Season |
|---|
| Basalt IBA | Black IPA | | Summer |
| Bauxite Brown | Brown Ale | | |
| Galena Gold | Golden Ale/Blond Ale | | |
| Headframe Hefeweizen | German Hefeweizen | 4.2 | |
| Hematite Hop Burst Style Beer | American Pale Ale | | Summer |
| Ironstone IPA | India Pale Ale (IPA) | | Special |
| Mica Maibock | Heller Bock | | Spring |
| Opal Oktoberfest | Oktoberfest/Märzen | | Autumn |
| Open Cab Copper Ale | Irish Ale | 4.83 | |
| Open Pit Porter | Porter | 4.83 | |
| Rose Quartz Frambois | Lambic - fruit | | Special |
| Sandstone Stout | Sweet Stout | 5.8 | |
| Shale Pale Ale | American Pale Ale | 4.83 | |
| Slate IPA | India Pale Ale (IPA) | 6.7 | |
| Smokey Quartz Rauchbier | Smoked | | Autumn |
[43]
Red Lodge Ales Brewing Company
Red Lodge Ales Brewing Company is a microbrewery in Red Lodge, opened in 1998 by Sam Hoffmann. Its head brewer and production manager is Justin Moore. Lead brewers are Rush Nicholson and Dylan Shanks. Sales team are Doug the Beerbarian Bailey, Andy Simpson, and Phil Bridges.
The brewery produced nearly 8,000 barrels in 2014, boasts the largest solar thermal array in the state, and distributes to central and eastern Montana, western North Dakota, and northern Wyoming.
| Beer | Type | abv % | Season |
|---|
| Beartooth Pale Ale | American Pale Ale | 5 | Year round |
| Bent Nail IPA | India Pale Ale (IPA) | 6.1 | Year round - 12 oz bottles |
| Broken Nail Double IPA | Imperial/Double IPA | 8.5 | Mid-Summer - 22 oz bombers |
| Czech Mate Pilsner | Czech Style Pilsner | 5.3 | Year round - 12 oz bottles |
| Glacier Ale | Altbier | 5.3 | Year round - 12 oz bottles |
| Harvest Ale | American Pale Ale | 5.5 | Early Fall |
| Helio Hefeweizen | American Wheat | 5.4 | Year round - 12 oz bottles |
| I Do Wit | Belgian White (Witbier) | | Retired |
| Jacks 90 Scottish Ale | Scottish Ale | 6.2 | Year round - 12 oz bottles |
| Kings Cupboard Chocolate Stout | Sweet Stout | 5 | Early Winter |
| Liver Eatin Ale/Fur Trapper | Dunkelweizen | 5.4 | Spring |
| Günther Drei Hop IPA | American Strong Pale Ale | 7 | Retired |
| Monster Maibock | Heller Bock | 7 | Retired |
| Octoberfest | Oktoberfest/Märzen | 5.1 | Early Fall - 22 oz bombers |
| Rock Dodge Porter | Robust Porter | 5.75 | Year round |
| Reserve Ale | Kölsch | 5 | Late Spring |
| Busted Barrel Series | Barrel Aged | 5-7 | Special |
| Easy Sippah Session IPA | American Pale Ale | 4.37 | Special |
| Ullrfest Lager | German Munich Lager | 5 | Winter |
| Dos Goatees Doppelbock | Doppelbock | 8 | Late Winter - 22 oz bombers |
| Summer Daze Doppelweiss | Doppelweiss | 7.5 | Late Spring - 22 oz bombers |
| Widow Maker | Heller Bock | 6.5 | Winter |
[44]
Tamarack Brewing
Tamarack Brewing Company is a brewpub/brewery in Lakeside, opened in 2007.
| Beer | Type | abv % | Season |
|---|
| Dock Days Hefeweizen | German Hefeweizen | 5 | |
| Dr. Tom’s Pils | Pilsener | | Autumn |
| DRye Reign Roggen | Specialty Grain | 5.3 | Special |
| Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown Ale | Spice/Herb/Vegetable | 5.4 | Autumn |
| Grizzly Bear Coffee Stout | Stout | 6 | Special |
| Hat Trick Hop IPA | India Pale Ale (IPA) | 6.8 | |
| Head Wall Double IPA | Imperial/Double IPA | 9.1 | |
| Tamarack ESP | English Pale Ale | 4.8 | Special |
| Mahogany Brown Ale | Brown Ale | 5.2 | |
| Old Stache Whiskey Barrel Porter | Imperial/Double Porter | 8.9 | |
| Rye Sally Rye PA | Specialty Grain | 6 | Special |
| Saints Inn Scotch Ale | Scotch Ale | 6.66 | |
| Save the Trails Black Kolsch | Amber Ale | 4.6 | Special |
| Switchback Stout | Sweet Stout | 6 | |
| Tree Top Bock | Heller Bock | | Autumn |
| Vanilla Bourbon Stout | Sweet Stout | 7.5 | Special |
| Wakeboard Wit | Belgian White (Witbier) | 4.2 | Spring |
| Yard Sale Ale | Amber Ale | 5.6 | |
[45]
Flagship Beer: Yard Sale Ale
Wildwood Brewing
Wildwood Brewing Company is a brewery opened by Jim Lueders in Stevensville in 2012.
| Beer | Type | abv % | Season | Location |
|---|
| White Bark Wheat Ale | Wheat Ale | 5.6 | All | A classic Bavarian wheat beer |
| Discerning Pilsner | Bohemian style Lager | 5.0 | All | A classic Czech Republic Pilsner |
| Mystical Stout | An Irish style dry stout | 5.4 | All | Cork City, Ireland |
| Bodacious Bock | Traditional German Spring Bock | 7.5 | All | Germany |
| Ambitious Pale Lager | A classic Munich style lager | 5.0 | All | Munich, Germany |
[46]
Yellowstone Valley Brewing Company
Yellowstone Valley Brewing Company is a brewpub in Billings, opened in 1997 by George Moncure.
| Beer | Type | abv % | Season |
|---|
| Black Widow Oatmeal Stout | Sweet Stout | 5.9 | |
| Devils Tower Lager | Amber Ale | 5.1 | |
| Black Widow Oatmeal Stout | Stout | 5.9 | |
| Grand Slam | Golden Ale/Blond Ale | 4.6 | |
| Grizzly Wulff Wheat | Wheat Ale | 5.3 | |
| Huckle-Weizen | Fruit Beer | 5.3 | |
| Numbskull Pale Ale | American Pale Ale | 5.6 | |
| Oatmeal and Peat Smoked Scottish Ale | Scottish Ale | 5.6 | |
| Old Bone Ale | American Pale Ale | | |
| Renegade Red Ale | Premium Bitter/ESB | 5.9 | |
| Sharptooth Porter | Smoked | 8 | |
| Wild Fly Ale | Amber Ale | 5.9 | |
Notable defunct breweries
Though Montana had a robust early brewery history, many notable companies were severely weakened by Prohibition and others finished off by the expansion of national breweries.
List of defunct Montana breweries
| Brewery | Location | Opened | Closed | Status | Founded by | Type of brewery | Production (bbl) | MBA member | Flagship beer | Notes |
|---|
| Anaconda Brewing Company | Anaconda | 1900 | 1958 | Closed | Henry Mueller | Microbrewery | | - | Rocky Mountain Beer | Became Sugrue Bottling Company after closing |
| Basin Brewing Company | Basin | | 1964 | Closed | Bertoglio | Microbrewery | | - | | |
| Big Hole Brewing Company | Belgrade | 1996 | 2002 | Contract | | Brewpub | 3000 | - | | Beer selection produced by Madison River Brewing Company |
| Bones Brewing Company | Billings | | - | Open | | Brewpub | | No | | |
| Bridger Brewing | Belgrade | 1993 | 1995 | Closed | | Microbrewery | 1000 | - | | |
| Butte Brewery | Butte | 1885 | 1918 | Closed | Henry Muntzer | Microbrewery | | - | | |
| Centennial Brewing Company | Butte | 1876 | 1918 | Closed | Leopold Schmidt & Raymond Saile | Microbrewery | | - | | |
| DG Barleys | Kalispell | | | Closed | | - | | - | | |
| Gilbert Brewery | Virginia City | 1863 | 1974 | Closed | Henry Gilbert, Christian Ritcher, and William Smith | Microbrewery | | - | | Originally called "Thorn-Smith Brewery" and then "Virginia Brewery", it continued until Montana Prohibition laws went into effect around 1916–1918. It re-opened in 1934 but closed for good in 1974. |
| Great Falls Select | Great Falls | 1930s | 1968 | Closed | | - | | - | | |
| Himmelberger Brewing Company | Billings | 1994 | | Open | Dennis Himmelberger | Microbrewery | 360 | No | | |
| Kalispell Malting and Brewing Company | Kalispell | 1893 | 1955 | Closed | | Microbrewery | | - | | |
| Kessler Brewing Company | Helena | 1865 | 1958 | Closed | | Microbrewery | | - | | |
| Kessler Brewing Company (II) | Helena | 1984 | 2000 | Closed | | Microbrewery | 6000 | - | | |
| Lang Creek Brewing Co. | Marion | 1993 | 2009 | Closed | | Microbrewery | 5000 | - | | |
| Lewistown Brewing Company | Lewistown | 1894 | 1937 | Closed | | Microbrewery | | - | | |
| Lightning Boy Brewery | Belgrade | 1998 | 2004 | Closed | | Microbrewery | | - | | Was part of the Utah Brewers Cooperative |
| Milestown Brewing Company | Miles City | 1992 | | Closed | | Brewpub | -400 | - | | The Golden Spur |
| Missoula Brewing Company LLC | Missoula | 1900 | 1964 | Contract | | Microbrewery | | - | | Highlander beer brewed by Great Norther Brewing Company |
| Rock\'n M Brewing | Belgrade | 1994 | 1996 | Closed | | - | 2000 | - | | |
| Rocky Mountain Brewing Company | Anaconda | | | Closed | | - | | - | | |
| Silver Bow Brewery | Butte | 1876 | 1918 | Closed | | Microbrewery | | - | | |
| Spanish Peaks Brewing Company | Bozeman | 1991 | 2003 | Closed | | Microbrewery | | - | | There is a brewpub at this location. |
| Tivoli Brewery | Butte | 1900 | 1918 | Closed | | Microbrewery | | - | Standard Gold | |
| Whitefish Brewing Company | Whitefish | 1991 | | Closed | | Microbrewery | 2500 | - | | |
| Wild Hare Brewing | Hamilton | 1996 | | Closed | | - | 1000 | - | | |
|
|---|
Anaconda
- Anaconda Brewing Company - 1900–1958[47]
Butte
- Butte Brewery
- Centennial Brewing Company
- Tivoli Brewery
[48]
Helena
- Kessler Brewing Company - 1865–1958; 1984–2000[49]
Kalispell
- Kalispell Malting and Brewing Company - 1893–1955[50]
Montana Brewers Association (MBA)
The Montana Brewers Association was founded in 2008.[51]
Its previous name was the Montana State Brewers Association, established in 1997.
Its purpose is the promotion of the production and sales of the freshest and highest quality Montana-made beers through education, public awareness and support for local breweries' products, profession, and histories, while documenting their economic impact and legal responsibilities throughout the state.[52]
State beer festivals
- Montana Brewers Festival
- Garden City Brewfest
- River City Roots Festival
See also
References
- 1 2 "The Economic Impact of the Beer Industry--State Legislative & Congressional District Data, Montana". The Beer Institute. Retrieved 28 May 2014.
- ↑ Finder, Montana Beer. "Montana Beer Finder: Breweries". www.montanabeerfinder.com. Retrieved 2015-09-21.
- ↑ "The Economic Impact of the Beer Industry--2012 Data, Montana". The Beer Institute. Retrieved 28 May 2014.
- ↑ "Capita per Brewery" (PDF). Brewers Association. Retrieved 20 May 2014.
- ↑ "Brewers Association Announces 2013 Craft Brewer Growth". Retrieved 14 May 2014.
- ↑ "Beer Serves America". The Beer Institute. Retrieved 14 May 2014.
- ↑ http://data.opi.mt.gov/bills/mca/16/1/16-1-106.htm Montana Code Annotated 2009, section 16-1-106 Definitions
- ↑ http://data.opi.mt.gov/bills/mca/16/3/16-3-213.htm Montana Code Annotated 2009, section 16-3-213 Brewers or beer importers not to retail beer -- small brewery exceptions
- ↑ http://www.newwest.net/city/article/the_strange_world_of_montana_alcohol_law/C8/L8/ New West - "The Strange World of Montana Alcohol Law"
- ↑ Craft Brewing Industry Statistics
- ↑ "Montana Beer: A Guide to Breweries in Big Sky Country". www.montanabeerbook.com. Retrieved 2015-09-21.
- ↑ http://montanakids.com/cool_stories/ghost_towns/gilberts.htm Gilbert's Brewery
- ↑ "Montana would limit Prohibition" Spokane Daily Chronicle - Jan 19, 1926
- ↑ Kyvig, David "Chapter 7, Hard Times, Hopeful Times" Repealing National Prohibition (1979).
- ↑ Beer and Wine License Laws in Montana | News, Sports, Weather for Great Falls, Helena, and all of Montana | Local Top Stories
- ↑ Bozeman’s newest brews — 406 Brewing Company opens
- ↑ New brewery in Bozeman on tap
- ↑ Rate Beer - 406 Brewing Company
- ↑ Angry Hanks Brewing
- 1 2 Angry Hanks Brewing: A Method to His Madness | Bill Schneider | Travel & Outdoors | NewWest.Net
- 1 2 Bayern Brewing: The Only German Brewery in the Rockies
- ↑ Bayern Brewing - Bios of Jurgen Knoller
- ↑ Bolt, Rodney (1999). Bavaria. Old Saybrook, CT: Globe Pequot Press. p. 37. ISBN 1-86011-916-6.
- ↑ Beaver Creek Brewing: Montana’s Microbrew Oasis | Bill Schneider | Travel & Outdoors | NewWest.Net
- ↑ Wibaux has microbrewery
- ↑ Big Sky Brewing Co. History
- ↑ Beer Me! — Big Sky Brewing — Missoula, Montana, United States
- ↑ Blackfoot River Brewing: Real Good Beer Made by Real Good People | Bill Schneider | Travel & Outdoors | NewWest.Net
- ↑ Blacksmith Brewing: Montana’s Newest Brewery, Montana’s Oldest Community | Bill Schneider | Travel & Outdoors | New West Travel & Outdoors
- ↑ Bozeman Brewing: The Best Possible Use of an Old Pea Cannery | Bill Schneider | Bozeman | NewWest.Net
- ↑ Carter’s Brewing: Riding the Rails of Instant Success | Bill Schneider | Missoula | New West Missoula
- ↑ New brewery around corner: Draught Works will be latest addition to Missoula’s craft beer scene this summer
- ↑ Flathead Lake Brewing: Great View, Great People, Great Beer | Bill Schneider | Bozeman | New West Bozeman
- ↑ Flathead Lake Brewery Re-opening | Bill Schneider | Travel & Outdoors | NewWest.Net
- ↑ Glacier Brewing: A Taste of the Wild West | Bill Schneider | Classifieds (c8) | NewWest.Net
- ↑ Black Star Cometh | Bill Schneider | Travel & Outdoors | NewWest.Net
- ↑ Great Northern Brewing: The Tallest Brewery in Montana | Bill Schneider | Travel & Outdoors | NewWest.Net
- ↑ Harvest Moon Brewing: Montana’s Small Town Brewery | Bill Schneider | Bozeman | NewWest.Net
- ↑ Kettle House Brewing Co. Snags Bronze Medal at Big-Time Beer Fest | Amy Linn | Missoula | New West Missoula
- ↑ Lone Peak Brewing: Where You Get a Whole Pint | Bill Schneider | Missoula | NewWest.Net
- ↑ Montana Brewing: More Medals Than Any Other Montana Brewery | Bill Schneider | Travel & Outdoors | NewWest.Net
- ↑
- ↑ Quarry Brewing: Where They Dig Beer | Bill Schneider | Travel & Outdoors | NewWest.Net
- ↑ Red Lodge Ales: Montana’s Greenest Brewery | Bill Schneider | Travel & Outdoors | NewWest.Net
- ↑ Tamarack Brewing: A Brewpub, Montana Style | Bill Schneider | Travel & Outdoors | NewWest.Net
- ↑ Pint-sized prescription | Up Front | Missoula Independent
- ↑ Guide to the Anaconda Brewing Company (Mont.) Records 1898–1989
- ↑ 1,000,000 Glasses a Day:
- ↑ http://www.helenahistory.org/kessler_brewing_compnay.htm Kessler Brewery History
- ↑ McKay, Kathryn L. A guide to historic Kalispell, Montana Main Streets, Vol. 5, (2001)
- ↑ Montana Brewers Association |
- ↑ http://montanabrewers.org
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| Glacier Country
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| Gold West Country
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| Russel Country
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| Yellowstone Country
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| Missouri River Country
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| Custer Country
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