It’s getting to the time of year when we all like to kick back and relax. For many of us it’s a festive mug of mulled wine, but for the beer fans among us, it’s a great opportunity to taste a sample of the USA’s finest.
Across Montana there are a number of fantastic breweries, that not only have a selection of cans and bottles to pick up in stores, but many have their own brewhouses too. Those who are planning to start their own brewery should do an extensive research and invest in top quality equipment like brewery boilers.
With more breweries cropping up in Montana than ever, it’s the perfect time to try local this Christmas and below you’ll find our top choices which simply have to be tried…
Flathead Lake Brewing
Located to the north of Flathead Lake is Flathead Lake Brewing, a fantastic little brewery and pubhouse that is the perfect stop off point on a winter walk.
They have some brilliant beers on offer, including their signature Two Rivers Pale, an American pale ale that pays a tribute to the two rivers that run into the lake. It won silver in the 2016 Beer and Gear Festival pale ale category and has been a stalwart and real favourite among drinkers ever since.
The pubhouse itself is spacious and comfortable and also offers a good range of food, including burgers, sandwiches and a range of specialities including chicken pot pie and skillet meatloaf.
It’s the perfect spot to kick back and relax with the restaurant tables and chairs – comfortable and ideal after a long walk by the lake. What’s more, they’ve made sure it’s all pandemic secure, with plenty of space and precautions in place.
Kalispell Brewing Company
Just a 20-minute drive from Flathead Lake is Kalispell Brewing Company, one of the most revered breweries in Montana.
It’s around two hours from Missoula but you’ll find their beer well stocked in the city’s stores. Founded in 2012, they’ve developed a real reputation not just for their beer, but for their non-alcoholic offering too, making it well worth the time for any designated drivers.
The Two Ski Brewski is their most popular offering, a traditional German pilsner that pays homage to the owners’ previous lives as ski racers!
Once again, the brewhouse itself is airy and welcoming, with plenty of alpine features, and it really is a great spot to while away the hours in comforting and friendly surroundings.
Big Sky Brewing Company
Big Sky Brewing is one of Missoula’s finest and it’s unlikely you haven’t ever tried their offerings with it found in many bars across the city.
Still, it’s the perfect Christmas brewery to be enjoying at home and their Powder Hound winter ale is the ideal drop to be tasting over the winter period. It claims to be bold and assertive as well as having a generous amounts of hops for a real warm feeling.
It’s one of their many great brews on offer, with the Big Sky IPA the favoured drink among many in the city.
The brewery also has a tap room which you can make the most off, open from 11am until 8pm on Mondays through to Saturday and 12pm until 6pm on Sundays. The taproom is located on site, so what better way to get fresh, tasty beer but from the brewery itself.
There’s also food on offer, as well as the opportunity to take guided tours around the place, alongside a great selection of merchandise, making for a real Christmas treat.