Only In Bozeman

Mountaineering is not for the faint of heart, particularly ice climbing. Imagine crawling up sheer ice at the mercy of an ice pick and crampons to get you there. There are no holds in this type of climbing, meaning there are no temporary places to cling, grip, press, or stand. Ice climbers have to be limber and incredibly strong to keep tension throughout their bodies to keep the pressure on the pick, which is the only thing holding them on the ice.

It’s true, a getaway with your special someone is a wonderful reprieve from the everyday bustle. It’s amazing how refreshing it is to unplug, get out, and enjoy one another’s company. Bozeman is an ideal location; it’s far enough from the urban landscape to feel as though you are really getting away, but whether you are arriving by air or auto, it’s easy to get here. The beauty of Bozeman is the amazing outdoor recreation right outside your door. And with a bourgeoning entertainment scene, you can be adventuring by day, and living it up at night. We’ve outlined some of our favorite ideas, but this is just a sampling, Bozeman has a wide array of entertaining options!

Do you have a craving for a wheat beer but don't know where to find the best in Bozeman? Look no further because we have you covered with our ranking of the best Bozeman breweries.

All wheat beers share several characteristics thanks to using wheat malt. Wheat has more protein than barley, which delivers a thick, long-lasting, head to the beer — giving the iconic image of wheat beer in a glass. In the mouth, the same malt adds a silky texture and bubbly effervescence for a refreshing drink. There are several different wheat beers that have evolved over the years to include the hefeweizen, belgian witbier, dunkelweizen/weizenbock, and the krystall according to Prestige Drinks.

All history aside, here is our ranking for the best Bozeman breweries wheat beers. 

In the middle of Bozeman, between the historic Main Street and the burgeoning shopping hub on the North 19th, a revitalization of one of Bozeman’s former hot spots is quietly being revitalized. Spearheaded by the Midtown Urban Renewal District, the North 7th Avenue corridor is seeing an insurgence of new businesses.

Over the past decade, microbreweries have risen in popularity primarily for the local taste that is provided in each sip of the craft beer. Bozeman quickly became a hot spot and brewing hub and now plays host to many breweries each with a unique taste and style. To further increase the hand-crafted experience, each brewery in Bozeman has designed their tasting rooms to follow the style of the beer they create. These individualistic tasting rooms have became an exciting oasis for great drinks and conversations. These are our rankings for the best Bozeman brewery tasting rooms.

Bozeman is home to a work-hard, play-hard population, and it’s quite common to see locals in parking lots, pulling on the hiking boots and trail running shoes for pre- and post-work adventures. Weekends are often spent in the mountains speeding down trails on mountain bikes, accruing vertical on the ski slopes, or chasing trout in remote streams.

Residents are keenly aware it’s important to refuel after a day of adventure, and thanks to a booming culinary and brewery scene, it’s easy to find quality, Bozeman-brewed ale throughout the community. Many breweries pay homage to the area’s outdoor acuity by naming their brews after local features and activities. After a long day in the hills, hardly anything tastes better than a tall glass of your favorite brew paired with a hearty burger. Discover the perfect pairings for your favorite Bozeman activities at these local breweries.

Are you in search of a light and uplifting brew? A drink that doesn't weigh you down? If you have questions like these, a lighter beer could very well be your solution.

It's hard to find an everyday brew that is easy to drink and can hit the spot during any time of the year. Whether you're floating down the Madison, up on the ski slopes, or taking a brisk walk while the leaves are budding or falling, these top-ranking light beers will always be a hit.

Many visitors are drawn to Bozeman for the myriad of recreational opportunities the surrounding mountains and rivers provide. But after a busy day fly fishing, hiking, mountain biking, rock climbing, or skiing, the town itself truly shines: Bozeman is home to a vibrant culture and rich history—the town itself can be as big an adventure as the surrounding mountains. Whether you prefer to explore summertime Farmer’s Markets at Bogert Park or take in an outdoor showing of Montana Shakespeare in the Parks, here are the local’s favorite in-town adventures:

The IPA has become a popular brew among the nation, including the active brewing scene of Bozeman. Don't believe us? There is a day dedicated to this fantastic drink called IPA Day. With over eight local Bozeman breweries, it can be intimidating to find the best place for your specific taste buds - especially for an IPA lover.

For a quick recap of the history of the IPA, or Indian Pale Ale, it is a popular brew among many individuals and breweries - and for good reason! The IPA style has had a history as rich as its flavor which dates back to more than 175 years. There are three main styles of an IPA which include the American-style IPA, English-style IPA and Double or Imperial IPA in addition to sub styles that have become popular over the years and have included Black, Hybrid, Wheat, or Belgian White IPA. For more information detailed information about IPAs, check out IPA 101.

With a basic knowledge of an IPA, it's time to dive into our rankings for the best IPAs from Bozeman breweries.

Bozeman has something for everyone when it comes to nightlife. Donnie Sexton/Montana Office of Tourism and Business Development

Bozeman is quickly gaining a well-deserved reputation as an outdoor playground. Bracketed by mountains on all sides, with the Montana Big Sky arching overhead, it’s a veritable nirvana for active, sunshine-loving thrill-seekers. Regardless of the season—summertime is filled with hiking, backpacking, river running and fly fishing, and wintertime with skiing, snowboarding, snowmobiling, and snowshoeing—days spent in Bozeman go by quickly, and there is always more on the "to do" playlist.