The Only Missoula Breweries Guide You’ll Ever Need

After visiting every one of the craft breweries in Missoula, Montana (yes, all 14 of them!), I’m reviewing them all so you can decide which one provides your ideal drinking experience.

If you absolutely must pin me down for a favorite brewery in town, it’s Imagine Nation Brewing. They make an amazing IPA, it’s a fun space, and I’m a huge fan of their social justice mission. But let’s zoom out a bit and look at the Missoula beer scene as a whole.

Missoula has the highest concentration of breweries in the state, and one of the highest in the country. There were nearly as many breweries in Bozeman, but a few have closed, and it seems their market is pretty much saturated. Missoula? Still going strong. But an abundance of breweries isn’t enough to make a great beer town if they can’t differentiate themselves.

Fortunately, Missoula is Montana’s most vibrant city, and every one of its dozen-plus breweries has found their niche – unusual flavors, exotic foods, an event-heavy calendar, or even just a particular vibe. Let’s dive into the list of Missoula breweries and see what catches your eye.

Brewery laws are a little bit different in the Treasure State. Unless they have a liquor license (and most don’t), Montana breweries are limited to serving three pints per person and are required to close by 8:00pm.

Best Breweries in Missoula, Montana

We’ll start off with the straight-up breweries; the bars that’ll serve you a pint, but where you’ll need to bring your own sustenance or purchase it from a food truck in the parking lot. These breweries make interesting beers and don’t need to concern themselves with whether it pairs well with the lunch special.

Imagine Nation Brewing 

Best for: Inventive beers paired with social justice
Downside: Not everyone will vibe with the causes

In a city packed to the gills with breweries, it’s not so easy to differentiate yourself. You could brew the bitterest of IPAs, serve authentic British pub grub with your pints, or go with a completely off the wall theme.

My favorite Missoula brewery, Imagine Nation Brewing, went in a different direction – focusing on social change. These guys aren’t just about brewing, they’re about building community. The brewery has hosted thousands of events, from activist meetups to educational talks, and they put their money where their mouth is, donating a whopping 25% of their profits to local organizations.

Even if bettering the world isn’t your jam, Imagine Nation is killing it on the brewing front. If you ask me, they’re one of the best breweries in Montana – top five at the very least, which is saying something in a state that has over a hundred of them. 

They specialize in experimental brews, playing around with unusual hops and brewing techniques, so there’s always something interesting on tap. And if you prefer your drinks sans alcohol, they’ve got you covered with Lupujus NA, a non-alcoholic version of their flagship IPA. 

The brewery’s back patio overlooks the mighty Clark Fork river and has spectacular views of the Sapphire Mountains and the iconic “M.” For entertainment, there’s board game night, open mic, trivia, and live music every single week. They also host some of Missoula’s best food trucks in the parking lot, with Garden City Taqueria occupying the space right now.

Big Sky Brewing

Best for: Concerts at the amphitheater
Downside: You’ve had all their usual beers

One of the oldest, certainly the largest, and arguably the most well-known brewery in Montana.

You’ve probably seen Big Sky’s classics – Shake a Day, Powder Hound, and the legendary Moose Drool – at every single Town Pump across Montana. But there’s still something special about drinking them straight from the source.

Beyond the old standards, Big Sky carries a half dozen or so beers, plus a few seltzers, at their taproom out by Missoula’s airport. As the most widely distributed brand in the state, they’re focused on consistency. Don’t expect a lot of new or inventive brews, and most are available in cans from area beer stores.

The taproom is an expansive space with a modernist aesthetic to sip your Moose Drool,but it’s what’s out back that really makes Big Sky a destination brewery. Behind the taproom is a 2,000-seat amphitheater where some of Montana’s best concerts are held. 

Their summer concert series has featured artists like Dwight Yoakum and Slightly Stoopid, with each year bringing in bigger acts. It’s not quite on par with Kettlehouse’s amphitheater in nearby Bonner, but at least Big Sky’s venue isn’t managed by Ticketmaster.

Draught Works Brewery

Best for: All-year patio and live music
Downside: Fewer new beers or seasonals

Housed in a former recycling center on the west side of town, Draught Works has been repurposed into one of the best breweries in Missoula. Their patio is open year-round, which honestly makes me proud. We’re Montanans – we can handle a little cold, especially with some heat lamps and a good beer in hand. 

And speaking of beer, they’ve got around twenty on tap, plus a few house-made seltzers from their Water Works brand. And if you’re skipping alcohol, there’s somegreat NA options, including their house-made Faith’s Root Beer and the locally-produced Back to the Mother Kombucha.

Beyond the beer, Draught Works is a hub for live music. Thursdays and Saturdays bring killer local acts, and if you’re into jazz, their Sunday night sessions are a must. There’s also a food truck parked outside every day from St. Patrick’s Day to Halloween, even on the odd occasion when the snow’s falling. 

OddPitch Brewing

Best for: Always has something going on
Downside: You hate the sound of fun

Bars aren’t the best place to bring a child. There’s probably some course language, a dearth of drink options, and not a lot to keep them entertained. But breweries, especially Montana’s breweries with their 8:00pm last call and three-drink limit, are considerably more family-friendly. And OddPitch might be the best Missoula brewery for kids. 

The first thing you’ll notice when walking through its door is the games. A dozen or so pinball machines line the walls, ranging from more modern titles like John Wick to classics like the Flintstones. Admittedly, you have to be 16 to play, so this is more to keep the teens entertained than the little ones.

For them, there’s a big selection of board games, from simple card games to more involved ones like Settlers of Catan. If you’re the competitive type, OddPitch puts on all manner of tournaments – pinball, trivia, and board games.

Let’s not forget the reason you’re here, though – to drink some great beer. OddPitch brews about a dozen of them at any given time, and it’s a balanced mix of hoppy, sour, and malty beers. If you prefer a non-alcoholic option, they stock Glacier Brewing’s (Polson, MT) root beer, and kombucha from House of Ferments (Victor, MT), along with some NA beers from larger breweries like Sam Adams and Deschutes.

OddPitch also maintains a consistent food truck schedule, so you should be able to find something on most days; or, Rice Fine Thai Cuisine is just around the corner, and you can bring your meal back to the brewery.

Great Burn Brewing 

Best for: Hoppy brews and a delicious Thai truck
Downside: Far from other Missoula attractions

Looking for a laid-back brewery with killer hoppy beers? Great Burn Brewing is a must-visit. It’s one of the few breweries on Missoula’s less-visited south side, where locals vastly outnumber tourists, giving it more of a neighborhood feel.

The building itself is pretty eye-catching, with an Old-West-style facade that gives frontier town vibes. The inside is decorated with firefighting gear, like a Pulaski and a crosscut saw. They’re not just random kitsch, either, but a tribute to the owner’s brother, a wildland firefighter who worked in the Great Burn Wilderness. 

The brewery’s two-level taproom gives you options for where to sip your beer, with a cozy mezzanine seating area upstairs. And while Great Burn doesn’t serve full meals, they do offer some tasty bar snacks like nuts and chips. Craving something heartier? Big Thai Country is often parked outside, serving up flavorful, spicy dishes that pair perfectly with a hoppy IPA.

Speaking of, hopheads are going to love Great Burn’s taplist, which focuses on aggressive hop-forward beers, with four flagship brews and eight rotating taps to keep things interesting. If you like bold, punchy flavors, this is your place. 

Western Cider

Best for: Huge selection of ciders along Missoula beautiful river trails
Downside: Cider isn’t everyone’s cup of tea

While we’re touring the breweries in Missoula, we can’t forget Western Cider, which is probably the best known of Montana’s cideries. You can find their products at nearly every grocery store and gas station across the state.

Those are only their mass-market ciders, though, the ones that appeal to any and everyone. To sample Western’s more experimental recipes, you need to visit their Missoula taproom.

Western’s roots are actually out in the Bitterroot Valley, south of the city. This is where their heirloom apples are grown, the ones used to make some of their more nuanced flavors (the mass-market ciders use Washington apples). While the orchard isn’t open to the public, a few of their trees grow in the patio area behind the taphouse, which is just west of downtown Missoula. 

Inside, you’ll have over a dozen choices of apple-based deliciousness to choose from. Several of those are the basic, typically sweeter and more accessible, but the other half are dry, uniquely flavored with fruits and spices, and aged. If you think you’re not a fan of cider because it’s too close to apple juice, these could change your mind. 

Western does serve non-alcoholic apple juice made with the apples from their orchards, though, along with Marintelli’s sparkling juice, Back to Mother Kombucha, and Athletic Brewing beer. Alcoholic or non, the ciders pair nicely with their cheese and charcuterie boards, and there’s often a food truck parked outside if you want something heartier.

Not to be outdone by Missoula’s breweries, Western’s schedule is chocked full of events from weekly yoga classes and trivia to live music and even a silent book club.

Best Brewpubs in Missoula, Montana

Many Missoula breweries partner with area food trucks, so it’s unlikely you’ll go hungry at any of them. But sometimes maybe you’d prefer not to eat from a take-out container while sipping the latest IPA.

That’s the purview of brewpubs: the option of a nice meal, or at least one served on a plate, to accompany an excellent beer. Having food on the menu also changes up the vibe, with brewpubs usually offering a more low-key experience. 

Highlander Beer

Best for: Big slices of unique pizzas
Downside: They’re located in one of the less interesting areas of Missoula

The area around North Reserve Street isn’t exactly a hub of cultural or culinary gems. Wedged between the train tracks and the interstate, it’s mostly chain hotels and restaurants. Highlander Beer, also known as the Missoula Brewing Company, is a notable exception, tucked away behind the main thoroughfare on the banks of Grant Creek.

If the weather’s nice, there’s a beautiful shaded patio out back, and if there’s a foot of snow on the ground, you can rent a heated igloo for you and your crew for just $50. Inside, the cavernous taproom is decked out with vintage beer signs, neon lights, and a 1950s truck above the bar.

The retro look isn’t just for show, either. Highlander’s roots go deep, with the brand dating back to 1910. Traveling around Montana, you might even see their faded ads painted on the sides of buildings. 

On the taplist, they’ve got a dozen or so beers, leaning towards IPAs as many breweries are now. However, there’s also a couple German-inspired options for a more traditional flavor, and one of their most popular brews is actually their Highlander Scotch Ale. They also carry hand-crafteed root beer, ginger ale, kombucha from Back to the Mother, iced tea, and Athletic Brewing NA beer.

Highlander’s biggest draw, though, is its pizza. They’re definitely in the running for best pizza in Missoula, serving up gourmet pies with inventive toppings that pair perfectly with an ice cold pint. You can even get their thin crust options by the slice, though if you want a crispy Detroit-style pizza, you have to order a whole pie. 

Conflux Brewing

Best for: Inventive brews around the fire pit
Downside: Hard to find parking (unless you arrive on a bike)

Conflux may be the hippest of the Missoula brewpubs, and it’s right in the heart of downtown Missoula. This is a busy area, and there’s not a lot of parking nearby, so unless you want to spend a half hour looking for a spot, it’s best to arrive on foot, bus, or bike. But that shouldn’t be too hard, because Conflux is located within easy walking distance of several great places to stay in Missoula.

Conflux keeps around a dozen beers on tap, but only a few are flagship brews. The rest are seasonals and one-off recipes that are only around until the kegs run out. They’re particularly proud of their aggressively-hopped IPAs, but there’s something for everyone and they also serve wine, cocktails, and mocktails for the non-beer drinkers. 

The food menu is Southern-themed, but made with Montana-sourced ingredients. Think bison meatballs, mac and cheese, and pulled pork sandwiches. There aren’t too many good BBQ spots in Missoula (Notorious P.I.G. being a notable exception), so this is the place to go for smoky meats and rib-sticking meals. 

Perhaps the best of Conflux’s features, though, is the rooftop patio. Overlooking East Main Street and the Wren Hotel, this is where you can really see Missoula in action. The area is home to some of the city’s best restaurants and is just blocks from Missoula Art Museum and the nationally renowned public library. Even better, there’s a fire pit up there to keep you cozy as our short summers slide into six months of winter.

Bayern Brewing

Best for: Classic Bavarian brews and delicious German food
Downside: They don’t make new beers

The OG of Missoula breweries, Bayern got its start back in 1987. That makes it not only Missoula’s oldest brewery, but the oldest in the state, dating back to a time when we were all still drinking Coors. (Well… I wasn’t. I was being born, but you get the idea.)

Bayern is also one of the most traditional and most European breweries in Montana. Brewmaster and owner Jurgen Knoller is from Bavaria, and their lagers are all brewed following the German purity law of 1516.

While American breweries are renowned for their experimentation, German beer halls are famous for recipes dating back hundreds of years. The traditionalist mindset at Bayern is more aligned with the latter, and the taplist is pretty much set. They make a little over a dozen beers, about half which are seasonal. These are tried-and-true brews, and if it’s made the cut, you know it’ll be delicious.

However, it wouldn’t be a proper pint without some traditional German snacks, and Bayern’s Edelweiss Bistro serves up plenty of them including Bavarian pretzels, bratwurst, and schnitzel. It’s probably my favorite of the Missoula breweries with food, because where else in this state can you experience German cuisine?

But I also love Bayern for their focus on sustainability. They reuse all of their bottles (recycling them is actually a fairly carbon-heavy endeavor), and for a $3 deposit, you can even purchase an “Ecopack” to carry your old bottles back to the brewery and get a credit. They’ve also joined the Bicycle Benefits program, and if you ride to the brewery with a Bicycle Benefits sticker on your helmet, you get a $1 off your first pint or growler fill.

Cranky Sam Public House

Best for: A pint and some tunes before getting a pie at Biga
Downside: More bar than brewery

The Missoula brewery with the questionable name has some interesting history attached to it. Cranky Sam is named after a Chinese immigrant who ran an opium den in Missoula’s red light district in the late 1800s. Much of the establishment’s history was lost to time, until its current owners began renovations on the building and found bottles of traditional Chinese medicine behind the walls.

Unlike most Missoula breweries, Cranky Sam has a full liquor license, which allows them to sell cocktails and stay open much later. This has made it something of an entertainment hotspot with frequent live music, trivia, and watch parties for Sunday sporting events.

Their taplist is considerably larger than other breweries, too, with 20 or so beers and seltzers to choose from, including some from other area breweries, along with wine and the aforementioned cocktails. While this is good news for anyone with finicky tastes or who’s brought along a non-beer drinker, it does give it a different vibe than some of the other breweries in town. 

The other thing that sets Cranky Sam apart is the food selection, with a menu that goes far beyond the usual pub fare. Think yakisoba noodle bowls, steak frites, and shrimp tacos. Plus, it’s right next to Biga Pizza, so feel free to stop in and have a pint while you wait for a table there. 

Tamarack Brewing

Best for: Drinking after an event at Caras Park
Downside: Location makes it busy around lunch and dinner

They say location is everything, and nothing beats Tamarack’s, set in the heart of downtown Missoula overlooking Caras Park and the Clark Fork River. Its balcony seating easily has some of the best views in town, and when you pair that with a 15-beer tap list, you’ve got a recipe for success. 

Tamarack’s two-story taproom doesn’t feel like a brewery so much as a restaurant and sports bar, on the upper and lower level, respectively. The drink list is extensive, from spiced-up stouts to elegant English IPAs and even a house-made root beer with Montana-made honey, but it’s the food and atmosphere that take center-stage here.

Their expansive menu contains all the basic brewery food groups: pizza, burgers, sandwiches, nachos, and all are made with local ingredients. There’s even a weekend brunch, which is always a great excuse for having an IPA at 10:00am. 

One problem you might have is parking, since the closest lot is down at Caras Park, which is often full, but that’s the price to be paid for a location in such a vibrant neighborhood. If you happen to take a day trip from Missoula, though, Tamarack has another location in Lakeside, on the northwest side of Flathead Lake.

GILD Brewing

Best for: People-watching, inventive non-alcoholic drinks, and Missoula’s best arcade
Downside: You have to buy arcade tokens by the bag

Some people enjoy a laid-back drinking experience, while others prefer it loud and lively. Many are just content to sip their beers, and some require a more stimulating environment. GILD Brewing, just across the bridge from downtown Missoula, is likely to satisfy everyone’s tastes.

The brewery occupies three floors of the historic Butterfly Building. The main floor, which looks out onto the Hip Strip and is great for people watching, has a beautiful brass bar and an airy feel to it. Upstairs is a lounge, with comfy seating and a quieter atmosphere.

The star of the show, though, is the basement. GILD’s subterranean level is a massive arcade with several pinball machines and classic games like House of the Dead, Mortal Kombat, and the Simpsons. Each of the floors has its own bar, so you won’t need to do much stair climbing. 

GILD’s tap list is in constant flux, with new beers coming on board every week. If you find something you like, don’t expect it to stick around too long. The menu leans towards IPAs, but they also make incredibly unique flavors like roasted carrot saison and oolong tea lager, so come with an open mind. 

Its location on the Hip Strip, near Missoula mainstays like Taco Sano, Bridge Pizza, and Big Dipper Ice Cream, means you’ll never go hungry. Don’t sleep on GILD’s own food menu though; they specialize in Mexican cuisine, making all their tortillas in-house. The Mexican theme bleeds over into their non-alcoholic beverages too, with horchata and tepache (similar to kombucha) served alongside Lake Missoula Tea, coffee from Black, and Athletic Brewing’s NA beers.

I have just two gripes with GILD. The first is that since it’s in such a popular area, parking isn’t the easiest – though walking a few blocks isn’t the worst idea after you’ve filled up on beer and Mexican food. The other is that the arcade games run on tokens, which have to be purchased by the bag. There’s no playing one or two games; you have to come ready for a whole gaming experience.

More Breweries Near Missoula, MT

Despite being the second largest city in the state, Missoula is still fairly small. A motivated cyclist can easily make it from one end to the other in under thirty minutes – thanks in large part to Missoula’s excellent trail network.

With so many breweries in town, there’s really no reason to venture further. However, there are a couple stand-out options just outside the city limits, if you’re up for a short drive.

Kettlehouse Brewing Co. – Bonner

Best for: Incredible views of the river and the best concert venue in the state
Downside: Not much else in Bonner

Kettlehouse is one of Montana’s most famous breweries, getting started back in 1995. They were the first in the state to can their beers, allowing Montanans as far away as Glendive to enjoy their renowned Cold Smoke scotch ale – our unofficial state beer. Despite the wide distribution network and instantly recognizable brands, there are plenty of seasonals that don’t make the canning line. So if you think you’ve already experienced Kettlehouse, they’ve got plenty of new flavors to surprise you. 

Kettlehouse is now the second largest brewer in the state after Big Sky Brewing. While they spent over 30 years downtown, they outgrew their original location in 2017 and moved all their operations out to Bonner, ten minutes east on I-90. While this isn’t the most convenient location, they’ve more than made up for it by turning it into a destination brewery.

The new taproom’s patio overlooks the stunningly beautiful Blackfoot River, a section that Norman Maclean so eloquently described in A River Runs Through It as a “canyon glorified by rhythms and colors.” The patio even has a wood fireplace to keep you warm and cozy when the weather threatens to remove you from these incredible views. 

The splendid scenery and tranquil waters of the Blackfoot aside, what brings most people out to Kettlehouse is their amphitheater. Built in 2017, the 4,000-seat venue quickly became Montana’s premier concert destination, and acts like Vampire Weekend, Jason Mraz, and the Black Keys have all stopped by. Who wouldn’t with a backdrop like the Blackfoot?

It might also be due to Kettlehouse’s partnership with Live Nation (Ticketmaster) in 2023, which gave them access to a larger network of artists, but also diminished the independence of the venue and sparked fears of outrageous ticket fees.

Old Bull Brewing – Frenchtown

Best for: Fun events and loads of non-alcoholic options
Downside: It’s a bit far from Missoula

A 20 minute drive down I-90, Old Bull is usually forgotten by tourists exploring the Missoula brewery scene. It’s worth the trip, though, as it has the type of real community vibe found exclusively at small town breweries. 

Old Bull usually has just six beers on tap, but each of them is made with love. They’re not looking to woo the tourists or college kids with gimmicky flavors. These brews made the cut because they’re solid and the brewmaster has a passion for them. 

They also pride themselves on being a family-friendly brewery, and have a big selection of non-alcoholic options like homemade lemonade, along with Italian and dirty sodas. It’s also why they stock a huge selection of games. Frequent events like live music, plant swaps, soup cook-offs, and dip competitions add to the community vibe and make it a fun place to take the whole family. 

For food, you’ve got plenty of options, including mundane choices like chips and jerky, and more interesting ones, like an entire “pickle flight” to go along with your pint. There’s usually a food truck nearby selling burgers, too, or you can grab a pizza from Lodestone Pizza Truck at the truck stop ten minutes away.

Montana’s Best Brewery Town

Missoula is an amazing city, and I never get tired of going there. It’s the cultural hub of the state and a community that really turns out to support their local businesses, especially breweries. There’s no question in my mind that it’s the best Montana town for breweries – and that’s really saying something in the state with the third-highest breweries per capita. But fourteen breweries is way too many to visit in a single trip, so you’ll probably need to just pick a few and save the rest for later (Missoula will always welcome back).

If you’re looking for straight-up amazing beers, Imagine Nation, Great Burn, and Bayern would be my top picks. If you need a brewery that’ll pull double-duty as a dinner option, Highlander, Cranky Sam, and GILD are your best bets. Bringing a couple of kids in tow? OddPitch, GILD, and Old Bull are the go-to’s for family-friendly. You really can’t go wrong as long, though, as long as you’re enjoying a cold, Missoula-brewed beer.

Missoula Breweries Map

This map shows every brewery in Missoula and nearby. A drive to Bonner will add an extra ten minutes to your trip, and to Frenchtown, nearly twenty.

What’s your favorite brewery in Missoula, MT? Tell us in the comments!

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