What’s the Most Montana Beer You Can Drink?

According to Mashed.com, each state has a signature beer, and for Montana, it is Moose Drool from Big Sky Brewing.

Now listen, no one is going to come around here and hate on Moose Drool. That beer's an OG. It helped establish Montana craft brewing long before it was cool. It’s still out there, in ski lodges and gas station coolers. It’s a classic. But… is it still the beer that represents Montana in 2025?

That’s where the foam gets flung.

Because here’s the deal, Montana’s beer scene has exploded. And Bayern and Big Sky Brewing may have kicked the door open, but there has been plenty of competition since.

Cold Smoke from KettleHouse? It’s legendary at this point. Scotch Ale that's loved by river rats and bar regulars alike. In Western Montana, Cold Smoke is in our blood.

Bayern Amber from Bayern? Absolute staple. You don’t last this long in Missoula, beer-wise, without making good beer, and Bayern has been going strong for decades.

Jeremiah Johnson’s Mountain Man Scotch Ale is climbing the ranks. You can find JJ cans in places where people totally wouldn’t expect. He’s got reach.

Then there is Trout Slayer, and Summer Honey, and let’s not overlook Highlander, which has been making a roaring comeback in recent years. That’s a brewery that delivers the nostalgia and the flavor. And if you’ve visited Philipsburg and failed to sample the Otter Water from Philipsburg Brewing Co., there’s a good chance you missed the highlight of the trip.

Otter Water is clean, crushable, and just about everyone’s new weekend go-to for those who chase trout all Saturday or haul a camper down a dirt road.

So yeah… Moose Drool is awesome. It’s iconic. But if you were to walk into any Montana taproom today and ask the locals what best represents Montana, you’re gonna hear way more than one name.

Maybe it’s no longer just looking for one “signature beer.” Maybe it’s something to do with the fact that Montana beer isn’t just one label but instead a whole fridge full of them.

Did Mashed get it right? Or were they just playing it safe?

We’ll let you decide. Just don’t start your argument unless you come with a six-pack.