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Food Tours · Montana, Montana

Montana Craft Brewery Trail — Bozeman

  • CuisineMontana craft ales, lagers, and IPAs
  • Duration3–5 hours
  • Price range$$
  • Price$25–50/person USD (tastings $5–12 per flight)
  • Rating★ 4.7
  • Best seasonYear-round

The Montana Craft Brewery Trail in Bozeman is a self-guided circuit connecting three to five of the city's most celebrated independent breweries along a walkable route between North Broadway and downtown. The trail is anchored by Bozeman Brewing Company at 504 N Broadway — one of the oldest craft breweries in Montana, established in 1999 — and introduces visitors to a local beer scene that has grown significantly alongside the city's population over the past two decades.

Montana Craft Brewery Trail — Bozeman

The Montana Craft Brewery Trail in Bozeman is a self-guided circuit connecting three to five of the city's most celebrated independent breweries along a walkable route between North Broadway and downtown. The trail is anchored by Bozeman Brewing Company at 504 N Broadway — one of the oldest craft breweries in Montana, established in 1999 — and introduces visitors to a local beer scene that has grown significantly alongside the city's population over the past two decades.

A standard crawl begins at Bozeman Brewing Company, where a tasting flight of five to six beers (typically USD 12–15) covers the brewery's year-round lagers, seasonal ales, and rotating specialty offerings. From there, visitors move to Bridger Brewing on West Babcock Street, a full-kitchen operation with a reputation for hop-forward IPAs and wood-fired pizza — an ideal mid-trail meal stop. Mountains Walking Brewery on North Seventh Avenue adds a taproom-only experience with small-batch experimental beers brewed on a one-barrel system, offering styles rarely found at larger operations. Lockhorn Cider House on West Main Street rounds out the trail for visitors who prefer hard cider to beer, with a selection of ciders made from Pacific Northwest apples.

The entire circuit takes three to five hours at a relaxed pace. Individual tasting flights cost USD 5–12 per stop, and total spending for the full trail typically falls between USD 25–50 per person depending on flights ordered and food consumed. Food is available at both Bozeman Brewing Company and Bridger Brewing; Mountains Walking and Lockhorn Cider House are drink-focused taprooms that welcome outside food or nearby takeaway.

No advance booking is required for taproom visits on weekdays. Bridger Brewing's dining room fills quickly on Friday and Saturday evenings, where a reservation is advisable. The trail has no single commercial operator — it is entirely self-organised — though seasonal cycling and walking tour operators in Bozeman occasionally include one or two brewery stops as part of broader food and drink outings.

Group size is unrestricted since each venue is a standard public taproom. All four stops are accessible to all ages; designated drivers and non-drinkers can order non-alcoholic sodas or mocktails at most venues. All four taprooms have step-free entry and accessible restrooms. Montana's craft brewers emphasise local grain sourcing — several Bozeman operations use malted barley grown in the Gallatin Valley — giving the trail a regional character rooted in the high-altitude climate and agricultural landscape of southwest Montana.

What is included

  • Bozeman Brewing Company
  • Bridger Brewing
  • Mountains Walking Brewery
  • Lockhorn Cider House

Good to know

Operator
Self-guided; visit 3–5 breweries in sequence

Location

Bozeman Brewing Company, 504 N Broadway, Bozeman, MT 59715

45.6835, -111.0317 View on map

Highlights

  • Bozeman Brewing Company at 504 N Broadway, one of Montana's oldest craft breweries founded in 1999 — the natural first stop
  • Bridger Brewing's wood-fired pizza and hop-forward IPAs, ideal for a proper mid-trail meal
  • Mountains Walking Brewery's experimental small-batch taproom on a one-barrel system with ever-changing specialty beers
  • Lockhorn Cider House for Pacific Northwest hard ciders — the trail's best non-beer option
  • Local Gallatin Valley barley in many Bozeman beers gives the trail a distinct southwest Montana terroir

Tips for visiting

  • Start at Bozeman Brewing Company in the early afternoon to avoid Bridger Brewing's evening dinner crowd
  • Eat a proper meal at Bridger Brewing mid-trail rather than drinking on an empty stomach across all stops
  • Walk or cycle between taprooms when weather allows — the full circuit is under three miles in total
  • Designated drivers can order sodas and mocktails at all four venues without any issue
  • Ask taproom staff about seasonal releases and collaboration beers not listed on the main menu board

Frequently asked questions

How many breweries is realistic to visit in one afternoon?

Three breweries is the comfortable sweet spot for most visitors — enough to compare styles without overindulging. Dedicated enthusiasts can cover all four stops in around five hours by keeping each visit to one flight and skipping repeat rounds.

Is there a formally organised brewery tour in Bozeman?

As of the time of writing the trail is self-guided with no single commercial operator offering a daily tour of all four venues. Local cycling companies and tour operators occasionally run seasonal brewery cycling tours — check local listings during summer and fall peak season.

Do the taprooms require ID?

Yes. All four venues serve alcohol and are required under Montana state law to verify the age of customers before serving. Government-issued photo ID is required.

What food is available along the trail?

Bozeman Brewing Company and Bridger Brewing both operate kitchens with full menus. Mountains Walking Brewery and Lockhorn Cider House are drink-focused taprooms; visitors are welcome to bring outside food or collect takeaway from nearby restaurants before visiting.