Local hot spot Bridger Brewing offers one of the best blends of community support in the Gallatin Valley. The brewery has been a go-to location since its opening in 2013, and will remain that way for years to come. With a second location and strong partnerships in the area, they spend their time crafting and perfecting unique, delicious new beers and fun food options, year after year. The flagship location seated across from the Montana State University’s Brick Breeden Fieldhouse is the perfect place to stop in and truly experience Bozeman love.

Bridger Brewing is always bustling, whether it be a ‘Caturday,’ or just a weekday afternoon. Their nightly specials, rotating based on the season, offer fresh options that bring guests back for more. From famous pizzas like the Bison Pepperoni to surprising salad pairings, it’s a great place to show off to friends and family, offering fun, shareable plates with ingredients sourced from local ranchers and farmers as often as possible. Bridger Brewing cares about quality, and clearly spends a lot of time crafting meals made of in-season blends and bites. They credit their incredible brew selections as so delicious thanks to the local hops and nearby wheat farms used (whenever available) to craft their large variety of beers.

Stopping in on a Wednesday night, guests are greeted with the music of a fun local band jamming on the floor. From 5 pm to 8 pm, you can sit back, sip a brew, and listen to talented musicians show their stuff. Scattered across the walls is an array of local artwork available to buy, should something catch your eye. From funky sculptures to gorgeous photography and eye-catching imagery, the works of art blend in beautifully, while still managing to stand out. Bridger Brewing gear and growlers are on display for purchase; there is also a cooler near the front, stocked with canned options of their best brews. Notable favorites and flagships are offered for purchase this way, like the Lee Metcalf Pale Ale, and Vigilante IPA. Newer beers have recently been added to the canning process as well, such as the Premo Pilsner, and the Plains Traveler IPA. Outside of these popular beers, Bridger offers something for everyone, with sour rotators, lagers, stouts and the non-alcoholic, raved-about Big Mike’s Root Beer, inspired by the Museum of the Rockies’ T-Rex, Big Mike—another great display of BBC’s community support.

With the upcoming warmer months, Bridger goes into overdrive within the community. An important and impactful addition to the specials list are their Pints for Purpose Nights. On select evenings, Bridger raises money for local nonprofits through booths and sales, giving a certain amount of each beer pour to the selected program. Whether it’s a community member like Eagle Mount, Heart of the Valley, or others in need of support, Bridger shows up to raise funds for those in need, always willing to lend a supportive hand. Each spring, they also participate in the 5K Brew Run series with Bozeman Running Company, an ever-expanding local show of community love, friendship, and support.

At their new, larger location in Three Forks, Bridger Brewing has been able to craft more unique beers and experiment with a large variety of food options; the expansion has also given them the opportunity to dive into the cocktail business. On top of this, they have opened an amazing new venue where they host a summer concert series with bands both big and small, such as NorthFork Crossing, The Kitchen Dwellers, and The Infamous Stringdusters, among others. In the colder months, they still offer live music every Thursday, and trivia nights every Wednesday to keep the winter blues at bay. Alongside their 2,000 capacity concert venue, Bridger Brewing offers RV camping spots for those who hope to crash nearby, allowing guests to spend a night out under the big sky for as low as $30 per night. If you haven’t been, I highly suggest a visit to this pub and grill that sits just across the road from Wheat Montana, one of their corporate partners. The Three Forks location is just as unique and exciting as the Bozemen spot, where drinks, food, and music are always flowing.

No matter which location you pop in to, the friendly staff at Bridger Brewing is one of the better parts of the experience. Upon entering, a friendly and usually familiar face awaits to seat and serve you. Bridger does a great job at highlighting their staff, recognizing them on social media and in each location. The displays of appreciation show how deeply connected they are to the area. Here, guests, servers and bartenders call each other by name, share in cheering on the ‘Cats, and catch up as old friends. From dropping jokes to tasting new concoctions, there is always a laugh and a smile to be had at Bridger Brewing.

Next time you’re looking to grab a beer and a bite, but hoping to be immersed in the community, make sure to stop into Bridger Brewing. It’s an excellent location to meet new friends, drink good beer, enjoy delicious food, and still make an impact on the local area. Oftentimes, just stopping in on a random day, you’ll find an unexpected but exciting opportunity to get involved.