Hi All, I'm going to be staying in Wilson for 5ish days in a couple of weeks and then finishing the trip by driving up through Yellowstone into MT where we'll depart out of Bozeman. I've done the research and it looks like I have a good idea on beer destinations, but looking for local perspective. Any tips? We plan on doing a lot of driving around during the days and are cool with logging lots of miles. Is it worth it to drive to Melvin's production brewery if we have the time? I was planning on a day where we went to Melvin, then up into Idaho for the 2 places nearish the WY border, then back into Wilson. Is that reasonable? Any other non-beery things to do in that circuit? For Bozeman, we won't have a lot of time, and I know the breweries close 8:00pm, so please rank the ones to visit in town. I hope to hit 2 or 3 and then a place for dinner. We are staying right in Downtown. To please my wife, any coffee, chocolate or ice cream places would be cool, too. Thanks in advance for any help!
Used to live in Bozeman, there are some pretty good breweries there. Personally I'd say, Bridger Brewing, Bozeman Brewing, Madison River Brewing, 406 Brewing, MAP. Cheers, hope you get some good beer man.
Bozeman Brewing > Bridger > 406 in order of my preference. My wife really liked the cider place in downtown. Snake River in Jackson is a little touristy, but if they have any of their sours on they are a must-hit. Le Serpent Framboise and the Triple Peche are both out of this world and unheard of outside of the ubergeek world.
Well it looks like between you and @chitownfanatic21, there's a pretty clear 1-2 to choose from. cool. My wife prefers beer, but has a sweet tooth, so this could happen. Most likely will be hitting this anyway, but good to know about the sours. I dig them, and my wife is a big fan! Thanks!
The lap from Wilson down to Alpine to visit Melvins's production spot then driving around the reservoir, through Swan valley, over Pine Creek pass to Victor is a great scenic drive. If the weather is nice I would highly recommend it. Victor is cooler of the two towns in Idaho just over the pass (I own a house there). There are two breweries in the tiny town. Grand Teton and wildlife. Grand Teton is the better of the two and supposedly John Kimmich helped set it up back in the day when he lived in Jackson. Big Hole BBQ in Victor has awesome food as does the Knotty Pine. Knotty Pine is a fixture in that valley that's been around forever, funky bit awesome. There is also a great newish bar/restaurant called the West Side Yard across from Big Hole BBQ that probably has the best craft beer menu in the Jackson vicinity. Also a great little store in Victor called the Emporium that has been around for ages. They have awesome huckleberry shakes. Thai Me Up is a must in jackson. This is where Melvin started and still brews on their 3 BBl system for pilot batches available on tap. Great Thai food too. Bunch of great spots to eat in Jackson. Rendezvous Bistro is my favorite for dinner. Roadhouse in Wilson is also great for dinner and I guess they have a Brewery there now. Nora's Fish Cafe in Wilson is a great traditional breakfast spot but Picnic in Jackson is the best for high end coffe. Pastries, etc. I go there every time I'm in town. On the way to Bozeman from Jackson you could go a bunch of ways. I believe the roads through the park are open. Bozeman beer scene is actually pretty mundane in my opinion. Bunch of decent beer but nothing mind blowing. MAP has the best spot and their beer has gotten a lot better. I like Bridger better than Bozeman Brewing personally. If you can find a place that has Uber's hoppy offerings they're really really good. Some of their stuff is contract brewed which is not that amazing but the stuff they brew in house is so so good. There are a few terrible breweries in Bozeman worth avoiding. PM me is you want restaurant recommendations their as well or any other recommendations. Went to school in Bozeman, own a house in Victor and I'm there for work all the time.
Roadhouse also. But yea hit up my place. Snake also! Peace from the Wutang crew! McGirt Melvin Brewing
