Once upon a time, Bozeman, Montana, was little more than a potty stop along Interstate 90 between Butte and Billings, but today it is one of the fastest growing cities in America. In recent years, the city has attracted a steady stream of outdoor enthusiasts, entrepreneurs, conservationists and all sorts of big city escape artists looking to enjoy a simpler, quieter existence that is not entirely void of the creature comforts of urban life, like good craft beer and liquor. You can still find plenty of rustic charm in Bozeman, but now yoga pants and artisanal drinks are much more common than cowboy hats and cheap whiskey.
At its core, Bozeman is a college town (Montana State University) in a picturesque valley, nestled between rugged mountain ranges and surrounded by fish-filled rivers. Pristine wilderness and outdoor adventures are just minutes from downtown and Yellowstone National Park is an hour up the road. Drive in or fly into the Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport but know, however you get there, good local beer and spirits await you.
BOZEMAN’S OWN: BOZEMAN BREWING CO.
The city’s oldest craft brewery remains its favorite and happy hour usually finds the cozy, beer- and popcorn-only taproom packed to the rafters with an eclectically diverse cross section of humanity like only Montana can offer. This is where khaki-clad business types bend elbows with well-weathered mountain men, bearded ski bums and whoever else wanders in. Like the convivial crowd, the beer selection is large and varied, offering fruit-infused and sour beers as well as tried-and-true, less adventurous local favorites, like Bozone amber and Hopzone IPA.
» 504 N Broadway Ave. » (406) 585-9142 » bozemanbrewing.com
DRINK TRIFECTA: 406 BREWING CO., WILDRYE DISTILLING AND DEAN’S ZESTY BOOCH
North of downtown, the big, old Sweet Pea Cannery building now stands transformed, offering a one-stop shopping destination for those seeking a pint of cool beer, a little nip of something to warm the cockles or a bellyful of probiotics. Along with a broad selection of beers, 406 Brewing (named after Montana’s only area code) serves a menu of salads, pizzas and sandwiches. Next door, Wildrye Distilling produces a variety of liquors, mostly created with Montana-grown ingredients — don’t miss the Montannassee Corn White Lightning. If beer and booze don’t sound good, check out the fresh, made-on-site kombucha at Dean’s Zesty Booch, conveniently located between the brewery and the distillery.
» 101 E. Oak St. » (406) 585-3745 » 406brewing.com » (406) 577-2288 » wildryedistilling.com » 111 E Oak St. » (406) 577-2444 » deanszestybooch.com
BREW WITH A VIEW: MAP BREWING CO.
The latest addition to the local brewery scene, MAP Brewing opened in 2015 along the shores of Glen Lake on the far northern fringe of the city. The atmosphere is reminiscent of a National Park lodge, so settle into your bar stool or one of the overstuffed couches and while away the hours beneath vaulted ceilings and exposed timbers, gazing out ceiling-height windows at the Bridger Mountains, which seem close enough to touch. To accompany the beer, they offer a full food menu from a walk-up window. Order one of the half-pound beef burgers and wash it down with a Dank Vader Double IPA.
» 510 Manley Dr. » (406) 587-4070 » mapbrewing.com
MAIN STREET NEIGHBORS: WHITE DOG BREWING AND BOZEMAN SPIRITS
Along Main Street in the heart of historic downtown Bozeman, White Dog Brewing is recognized as the city’s most adventurous brewery, where less common beers like a blood orange hefeweizen and a blackberry sour are regularly featured on the menu alongside a selection of more-expected styles, like IPA and scotch ale. The brewery shares a wall with Bozeman Spirits Distillery, where they serve sample-sized sips of house-made booze as well as some of the best cocktails in town, like a Montana Huckleberry Mule concocted with their own award-winning huckleberry-flavored vodka, which is made with Montana-grown grains and berries.
» 121 W. Main St. » (406) 992-5798 » whitedogbrewing.com » (406) 577-2155 » bozemanspirits.com
BIG TIME BEER: BRIDGER BREWING
Bridger Brewing’s wildly popular, sprawling brewpub serves up some of the city’s best pizza alongside some of the city’s best beers. When the weather agrees, a seat on the second level’s balcony is highly coveted, with a view of the nearby mountain ranges and the Montana State University campus, which is right across the street. Expect a lively and large crowd, especially on game days: the school’s basketball arena and football stadium are just a stone’s throw away. Go Bobcats!
» 1609 S. 11th Ave. » (406) 587-2124 » bridgerbrewing.com
