Driving through MT and ID during this pandemic

Discussion in 'Mountain' started by Stevedore, Jul 9, 2020.

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  1. Stevedore

    Stevedore Grand Pooh-Bah (5,096) Nov 16, 2012 Oregon
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    Just like all the midwesterners going through Yellowstone towards the Pacific Northwest, I'll be driving through Montana and Idaho (and a bit of Northern WY) on the way to my final destination, Oregon.

    It's a weird time. What places are worth stopping along I-90: specifically, Billings, Missoula and Coeur d'Alene- really, I am looking for recommendations on excellent local cuisine (think: South Dakota's chislic, Wisconsin's brats and cheese curds, etc) that is available for curbside pickup as well as specific breweries I should seek out in some sort of packaged format- growler, crowler, bottles- whether from the source or from a specific liquor store. I specifically want to tick off beers from Montana as for some reason, I haven't had a beer from that state (plus South Dakota and West Virginia), but want the best local flavour.. if you would recommend one beer to a traveler coming through Montana and Idaho, what would it be?

    Bonus if you can recommend liquor stores with interesting store picks for whiskey, as I'll be traveling with a family member who is into bourbon and rye...

    Cheers!
     
  2. wasatchback

    wasatchback Pooh-Bah (1,574) Jan 12, 2014 Tajikistan
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    I can help you out with a few things in regards to MT.

    Billings:

    Two great sister breweries there, Uberbrew and By All Means. Uberbrew has been around for a bit and has won quite a few gold medals at GABF, including 2016 Small Brewery of the Year when they won more medals than any other brewery including Double IPA gold. Plenty of medals since and Alpha King I believe. The head brewer there opened a new spot this past fall/winter called By All Means that’s state of the art. It’s a bit more modern and “progressive” with a really cool taproom and outside seating. Can’t recommend both places enough. Mark Hastings the head brewer at both is incredibly talented and been at it for a long time. He’s got a really talented staff and is one of the nicest people you’ll ever meet on the industry. Haven’t had the food at By All Means but Uberbrew food is solid upscale pub food. BAM is probably a bit more “modern”. Killer hoppy beers but honestly everything is very well executed.

    Bozeman:

    The three breweries worth visiting are MAP, Mountains Walking, and Nordic Brew Works. MAP and Mountains Walking package beer, Nordic maybe does growlers to go. Mountains Walking is the more “modern” of the three. MAP Packaged product is maybe better. Nordic space is super cool and has the best (also most expensive food).

    Missoula:

    I’m not quite as well versed with the beers there. I always go to Imagine Nation for more “progressive” hoppy beer and have been for the most part pleased. Small spot, prolly do crowlers. Missoula has a bunch of the more old school/original breweries in Montana. Cold Smoke or Moose Drool might be the closest thing you get to a beer that represents the state. I haven’t had either in forever personally. I think there’s some new mixed ferment focused spot there but not sure. Tons of other breweries and most are decent, just a bit dated.

    Missoula has a few “grocery” stores that have probably the biggest selection of beer in the state.

    Cant really help you with whiskey unfortunately.

    Don’t think there’s really a “state dish” for Mt other than beef. Some great old school steak houses that would be worth visiting during different times.

    In my mind Melvin makes probably the best packaged beer from the general area. They distribute all over the states and have a bit of a checkered past but their core hoppy beers are always a default cause most often they’re great and have shockingly great shelf life honestly. Hubert is as close a default beer as I probably get.

    Hope that helps. Feel free to PM me with any other questions.
     
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  3. Schmittymack

    Schmittymack Pooh-Bah (1,864) Sep 3, 2008 Colorado
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    If you're on I90 through SD. Firehouse Brewery in Rapid City has good food and pretty good beer. There's others that have opened in the area since I was last there. Not exactly a plethora of beer but no longer a beer desert, either.
     
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  4. drinkin-beeers

    drinkin-beeers Initiate (0) Jan 29, 2014 Montana

    Just stay off the thermals. And don’t get killed by a buffalo or elk.
     
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  5. BuzzG

    BuzzG Crusader (455) Dec 6, 2013 Iowa

    How is Zymurcracy?
     
  6. Stevedore

    Stevedore Grand Pooh-Bah (5,096) Nov 16, 2012 Oregon
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    By All Means in Billings was fairly solid, I grabbed a 4-pack of the pilsner and a variety 4-pack; these were fairly average to above average- I warmed up to the pilsner a bit by the 5th can, though. The facility at Billings looks like a really, really nice place to hang out and have a beer outside though I didn't stay to have a pour.

    I stopped by Red Lodge Ales when staying in Red Lodge MT for the Yellowstone part of the trip; wasn't impressed at all with their Czechmate Pils. Outside beer garden and built-in social distancing was nice (Sam's).

    We also stopped by Mountains Walking in Bozeman on the way to Missoula, I really liked the taproom spot but we only had time to grab a couple 4-packs- the italian pilsner was solid and I'm drinking a DDH Nelson Cloud Curtain as I write this and it's pretty nice. I think I would definitely come back to that one if I find myself driving through Montana again. In Missoula, we went the spirits route and visited Montgomery Distillery. I didn't care that much for their single malt and rye, though..

    I will say that I was impressed with peoples' adherence to the state orders for mandatory face coverings. The grocery stores I went into had almost 100% adherence and I felt quite a bit more comfortable doing these activities. I would definitely be out and about spending money more often on things if I knew people were masking up and businesses were taking proper precautions, and that was the case during our time in Montana.

    Thanks for the information above- it was helpful to me and I hope it will be helpful to others who search this thread in the future!
     
  7. Schmittymack

    Schmittymack Pooh-Bah (1,864) Sep 3, 2008 Colorado
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    Haven't been there; haven't been up to the Black Hills in a few years. Last "new" brewery I hit was Miner Brewing Company in Hill City.
     
  8. dcgunman

    dcgunman Pooh-Bah (2,682) Jul 1, 2009 California
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    I'm thinking of flying to Kalispell and renting a car for a 4 day road trip in Montana. Our main goal is to visit Glacier National Park. Our only visit to Montana was 12 years ago as we went to Chico Hot Springs Resort from Yellowstone National Park. We will have 4 full days to see and drive Montana. So looking for any brewery's in Kalispell after a day of checking out Glacier National Park. Not sure what the plans are for Day 2-4 yet. But would like to check out the vast land of the Big Sky country.
     
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  9. derftron

    derftron Pooh-Bah (1,663) Feb 8, 2012 Oregon
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    Driving to Kalispell tomorrow. been there multiple times over the years and i usually bring beers with me from Portland.

    this time around i want to buy beer once i get there. Anything from MT or surrounding areas i should look to pickup? im pretty much good with any and every style of beer
     
  10. wasatchback

    wasatchback Pooh-Bah (1,574) Jan 12, 2014 Tajikistan
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    The best beer brewed in that Kalispell is generally at the Lakeside location of Tamarack Brewing, at least that I’ve found. They won Alpha King maybe 4 years ago? They have the ability to brew wonderful beer. There’s usually some really good one-off stuff on tap and most of their core beers are solid. Kalispell brewing company is decent. Everything I had there was clean and well made just kinda boring.

    For those traveling form out of state keep in mind the Montana beer scene is sort of like going back in time. Which can be and can be bad, depends on your point of view. If you’re looking for “modern” craft beer you’re not really gonna find it. Closest thing might be Imagine Nation in Missoula. However there’s plenty of well brewed beer, just a bit dated in its flavor profile and branding/presentation.

    Mountains Walking is distributing now. They’re maybe the most “modern” in MT although that’s not saying much. MAP has some good beers that should be available in the Kalispell/Whitefish area.

    If you’re hoping to be blown away by something new and different you might not find it but like I said there’s plenty of quality beer to be found.
     
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  11. dcgunman

    dcgunman Pooh-Bah (2,682) Jul 1, 2009 California
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    Being in Southern California I have pretty much unlimited supply of hazies and clear/west coast ipa’s. So I’m not expecting out of this world in MT. When we vacation in Hawaii I like to bring my own supply of cans and mix some of the local stuff with it. But we will be on the move in MT so I will just stick to the local beers. I like to bring back cans from my trips too. So if I find something worthwhile I will bring back with me. So my other question would be any local beer/liquor stores worth checking out? How’s the MT distribution throughout the state? I probably won’t have enough time to get to Bozeman area. Is there anything worth checking out from Bozeman. I’m hoping to make it down to Missoula at least.
     
  12. Stevedore

    Stevedore Grand Pooh-Bah (5,096) Nov 16, 2012 Oregon
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    Mountains Walking had some pretty nice stuff if you're in the Bozeman area.
     
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  13. wasatchback

    wasatchback Pooh-Bah (1,574) Jan 12, 2014 Tajikistan
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    I don’t know the beer store situation in Kalispell. In Whitefish I’ve found the best selection to be at Markus Foods.

    Missoula has a couple of spots with a good selection of beers. Orange Street Food Farm is an interesting spot with beer in literally every corner of the store. Worden’s market and Deli is decent too. I tend to enjoy Imagine Nation and Guild as far as breweries go in Missoula. There’s some other good ones as well.

    I would say Bozeman is out of the question if you only have 4 days and are flying into Kalispell. It would be easy to spend those 4 days in the Kalispell, Whitefish, Glacier area.
    It’s my favorite part of the state. Love Whitefish. If you need any other recommendations on stuff to do or whatever feel free to reach out.
     
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  14. dcgunman

    dcgunman Pooh-Bah (2,682) Jul 1, 2009 California
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    It sounds like the breweries/taprooms, brewpubs and restaurants are open for dine in in MT? Or for outdoor seating only?
    I was hoping to go the end of August but one of my tenants just gave us a 30 day notice that they will be moving. So I’m now looking at mid September for my visit. That will give me a little more time to plan my road trip. I’m sure there are some good to great beers to be had in MT. Hanging out in the tasting rooms is half the fun. Thanks to all for the info.
     
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  15. JohnGalt1

    JohnGalt1 Grand Pooh-Bah (3,880) Aug 10, 2005 Idaho
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    This is a perfect summary of Montana. Every brewery has a brown, standard Scottish ale and an American wheat.

    Imagine Nation, Mountains Walking and MAP are the best as far as modern brewery takes.
     
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