I'll be driving from Minnesota to Montana, on 94 to Billings, on 90 to Bozeman, then south, just past West Yellowstone, where we'll be staying. Looking for recommendations for taprooms, beers, bars, bottle shops etc. along this route. I'm guessing my best bet is loading up in Billings or Bozeman as there's probably not much around West Yellowstone? We should have time for 1 taproom visit, or more if it's close to West Yellowstone, or within Yellowstone Natonal Park. . Would love to try some MT beers I haven't had, as well as other non-Minnesota distro stuff.. Some beers on my radar include: Lewis & Clark Tumbleweed IPA, Prickly Pear, Blackfoot River Single Malt IPA, Bozeman Brewing Bozone Hopzone IPA, Bozone Plum St. Porter, Buzz Kill Java Stout, Snake River Pako's IPA.. * is Blackfoot River still draft only? We're not going to Helena, but are there places in Bozeman that will have it on draft or available for growler fills? * other must tries/must stops? Thanks in advance for any input!
Yes blackfoot is still draft only. (Always will be, they have grown as much as they want to.) only available in helena, missoula, kalispell Stop at rosaurs and you can get cans of all the Bozeman brewing and lewis and clark brews. Montana ale works in Bozeman has a pretty good tap list. Billings has a few good breweries such as uberbrew, carters, Montana brewing co. Not sure about west Yellowstone.
Hey, thanks. Couple follow up questions: 1) are Lewis & Clark Tumbleweed cans (and Bozeman Brewing cans) readily available in shops in Bozeman or is it something that comes in and sells out quickly? 2) anyone know a spot in Bozeman that has Tumbleweed on draft, and is open for lunch? Somewhere we could get a pizza would be even better..
I believe Bridger Brewing has good pizza. I'm going to be in Bozeman soon too... The wife and I will be there Saturday night.
This Canadian is going to be driving south from Alberta into Montana and then East into North Dakota in a couple weeks. So this thread is helpful. However, I don't know much about Lewis and Clark and Bozeman Brewing. Are these exceptionally good breweries that I need to try on my way through? I'll ask about North Dakota in another thread. :-)
Tumbleweed and bozeman brewing cans are all readily available and should be able to find them just about anywhere. They are solid breweries.
It sounds like you might be short on time, but going through Red Lodge and entering (or exiting) the park's Northeast entrance would allow you to swing by Red Lodge Ales. The beer is good and the food is delicious, but perhaps more importantly is how beautiful the drive is - going over Beartooth Mountain Pass is absolutely stunning. Might be worth considering if you end up having a little extra time/energy.
Just returned from a visit to MT/Yellowstone and the Lewis and Clark Tumbleweed IPA was definitely the best beer I had while visiting. Wasn't real impressed with Madison River Brewing offerings, but the DIPA was ok...We were dependent on the selections of grocery store/gas stations, but both seemed to have a decent selection. The Lewis and Clark canned offerings were the staple on our trip!
