Need some Montana info.

I was just in the Kalispell / Flathead valley area for a few weeks.

The best Montana beers I found in cans were from Mountains Walking brewing. Their “west coast” traditional IPA was really good. The Hazy was also good, but I’m not a huge fan of the style.

Kalispell brewing is solid.

Glacier brewing makes some interesting beers, including Creeper Pigeon, which they market as a “milkshake” IPA, but it’s anything but.

 

I'm sure some MT locals will chime in, but MAP in Billings has some great beers (close to Laurel) and based on the three locations you mention, you'll be likely to pass through Bozeman. Mountains Walking and Bozeman Brewing are my don't miss stops in BZN, Outlaw is also pretty great. If you're going from the Wolf Creek area to Ennis you'll pass close to the new Bridger spot in Three Forks - solid beers but nothing super exciting. Good pizza too.

 

Mountains Walking makes some very solid beers across a variety of styles.

 

And their Japanese-inspired spinoff brewery, New Hokkaido, is really good as well.

 

Billings - UberBrew consistently offers great beer. By All Means ain’t bad (Same ownership). Carter’s is old school in a train depot and offers more than 20 brews at a time so you should be able to find something you like. Carter’s, Angry Hank’s, Thirsty Street, and UberBrew are all within walking distance.

North of Laurel is a gem called Gally’s in the town of Harlowton. But it’s a drive (110 miles). You do get a great view of the Crazy Mountains if you go.

Big Timber has Crazy Peaks but I’ve never stopped there. There’s a small, dark bar/restaurant called Timber Bar. Their bottle list is surprising and their tap list is usually unique and good.

Livingston has two breweries (Neptune’s and Katabatic). The beer is better in Billings and Bozeman.

Bozeman - Hidden gem at Four Corners called New Ventures. Only spot if you like Belgian and/or English beer. Also a brew supply shop so they know their beer and love it. I’ve brewed a small batch there and the people are great. Best venue is MAP and the beer is solid, especially if you like IPA. Mountains Walking is solid and known for dessert beer, sours, and IPAs. Across the street Bozeman Brewing is Bozeman’s oldest and has some solid options along with a large sour line (Bozeman Underground). Shred Monk is the newest and is making some unique brews (grissette, Burton IPA, dark mild). Outlaw is solid, especially since they make a lot of gluten-reduced or gluten-free beer. Shine is your best option for buying singles to take back to Minnesota.

Across the street from Willie’s (Ennis distillery) is Burnt Tree Brewing. They make some unique brews that I’ve enjoyed. I hear they make a decent pizza too but never had it.

Feel like this is enough for one post but fire away if you have specific questions about breweries along I-90 from Billings to Butte and the surrounding area. I’ve been to most of them too many times to count and am happy to answer any specifics.

 

Looks like there is couple of breweries just north of Cascade in Great Falls..dont seem much but may be interesting.
MT PINTS - Home

these guys serve beers from the Jeremiah Johnson brewery..

and these guys
Black Eagle Brewery - Black Eagle, Montana is coming soon!

 

Ahhh that’s a beautiful part of the state. You will be close to Great Falls. I believe you will have to drive through Helena and they have some solid breweries. If have an opportunity Blackfoot and Copper Furrow are my favorites but Lewis & Clark and 10 Mile should also treat you well. Black Eagle is my favorite in the Great Falls area but I haven’t spent much time there. I bet Jeremiah Johnson is the most popular Great Falls brewery. They sell cans all over the state.

If you don’t go through Helena I guess you’ll drive through Great Falls from the east so you’ll drive through Harlowton (Gally’s) and Belt (Harvest Moon). If you go to Harvest Moon grab the Beltian White and the Pigs Ass Porter and prepare for towns small enough that the breweries are one of the best shows in town. We have a bunch of breweries that are also town centers. On the right day or night you can meet all the locals.

Not sure Montana gets much that you can’t get in Minnesota besides the smaller Montana breweries. Maybe we’ll have a better selection of some Idaho and Wyoming stuff (Snake River, Grand Teton, Blacktooth, Melvin). From Colorado we get some New Belgium, Oskar Blues, Breckenridge. And you’ll see some Fremont and Georgetown from Washington, a little from Portland and Bend, OR, and a little California. Shine in Bozeman is probably your best chance to grab singles from the region.

 

If B6K is out at Shine and you’re passing through Bozangeles, stop at Hop Lounge and grab yourself a pour. It’s delish.

 

It's cool to read this if only to be reminded of the Montana attitude towards distance.

In that spirit you could drive 50 miles south from Laurel and try Red Lodge Ales. If you do, you can check out how the reconstruction from the June flood is going. I would be curious to know.

 

Full disclosure - I last stopped at Red Lodge Ale 11 years ago. I would not say that it is worth a 100 mile round trip, even for Montanans.

 

I was at Hop Lounge yesterday and they’re still pouring it and still have a few bottles for sale.

 

Ah you’re making me crave their Alpha Force Double Tap and Humulus Insani. Enjoy!

 

If in Northwest Montana (Lakeside (near Kalispel) / Missoula) I strongly recommend a visit to Tamarack Brewing. Best brewery of the 6-7 I have been to in that area. Also the food is first rate - a big upgrade from normal pub fare.

 

Thank you for the update. My grandparents used to live about a mile from where Red Lodge Ales is now, on the other side of Rock Creek. That bridge is gone now, like the others. If they were still there they would have to get their groceries in Billings.