Bozeman has plenty of places to order a beer, but few of them give you a full view of what Montana brewers make. If you care about local craft beer, you want a taproom that treats the tap list as the main attraction.
I judge taprooms by a short list of standards, and I will share them with you below. They are the size and range of the tap list, the focus on Montana-made beer, the quality of the food, and how easy it is to stay for a while or take beer home.
One example that meets these standards is Hop Lounge, a taproom Bozeman beer fans can find in the Barn District. I will explain what sets them apart, and you can use the same checklist to judge any taproom in town.
What Makes a Taproom Worth Your Time
A good taproom gives you choices and a reason to trust them. Here is what I look for:
- A tap list with many styles, from light lagers to dark stouts
- A clear focus on beers made in Montana
- Beers you cannot find at the grocery store
- Food that matches the quality of the beer
- Packaged beer for the days you want to drink at home
- A comfortable room where you can sit and talk
If a taproom checks most of these boxes, it deserves a spot on your list.
Two Kinds of Taprooms You Will Find
Bozeman taprooms fall into two groups, and each one serves a different need.
Brewery Taprooms
These rooms sit next to the place where the beer is made. You get fresh beer from one brewer, and you can learn how that brewer works. The limit is range. You drink what that one brewery makes.
Multi-Brewery Taprooms
These rooms pour beer from many Montana brewers. You can compare styles from different towns in one visit. This is the best choice if you want to learn what Montana beer offers as a whole.
I suggest you visit both kinds. Start with a multi-brewery taproom to find the styles you like, then visit the brewery taprooms for those brewers.
Why I Recommend Hop Lounge
Hop Lounge sits at 93 Rowland Rd in the Barn District. They describe themselves in three words: beer, chicken, and vinyl. They run as both a taproom and a fire-roasted rotisserie chicken restaurant, and the setting is upscale and casual.
Their stated mission is to give you a relaxed place to drink a full range of Montana craft beer that the area does not fully represent.
A Tap List Built Around Montana
Hop Lounge has 50 beers on tap and many more in packages. According to the business, they travel across Montana to hand-select beer you cannot find anywhere else in Bozeman.
That matters if you want variety. Fifty taps give you room to try a new style each visit. They also carry a hand-picked selection of ciders and wines, which helps if your group includes people who do not drink beer.
Food That Fits the Beer
Beer tastes better with a good meal, and Hop Lounge builds their menu around fire-roasted rotisserie chicken. They state they own no freezer and no microwave, which means the food is fresh and served hot. Fries are cut by hand to order, and the dipping sauces are made in house.
The menu gives you many ways to order:
- Combo plates with a quarter chicken in white or dark meat, a half chicken, or shredded chicken, served on rice with a side and a fountain drink
- Sandwiches such as the Chicken Melt, the BBQ Bacon Melt, and the Carolina Pulled Chicken
- Tacos, sliders, nachos, and Frychos for sharing
- Hopcorn Chicken and breaded wings for a lighter order
- A salad with shredded chicken and four dressing choices
Orders are ready in five minutes or less, and the whole menu is available to go. You can order online through their website.
Vinyl and Atmosphere
Music is part of the visit. The founders searched record shops for vintage and rare albums before vinyl became popular again. The room has two Technics 1200 MK7 turntables and a sound system, and the business promises the music will keep playing.
If you like to sit with a beer and listen to records, this is a good fit.
Beer to Take Home
Hop Lounge sells many packaged beers for you to take with you. Their website has also mentioned growler fills from all 50 taps. That post looks to be from late 2020, so I suggest you call them at (406) 404-1784 to confirm before you bring a growler.
How to Plan a Visit
A little planning helps you enjoy the tap list. Follow these steps:
1. Pick a time. Hop Lounge is open Monday through Sunday from 11:30 a.m. until close, and the kitchen serves until 9:00 p.m.
2. Look at the tap list before you order, and choose one style you know and one you do not.
3. Order a small pour of each if the taproom offers them.
4. Match the beer to the food. A crisp, light beer works well with spicy sauces like Mango Habanero. A malty beer works well with sweet BBQ.
5. Buy a few packaged beers on your way out.
If you bring a group, look at the family packs. They include a whole chicken with two sides and four sauces, and they scale up to three chickens. The side list includes mac n’ cheese, vinegar slaw, and a secret recipe baked bean dish, so each person has something to pick.
My Advice for Montana Beer Fans
Start with a place that gives you range. A taproom with 50 Montana taps lets you learn your own taste faster than a place with four. Then visit the brewery taprooms for the beers you like most.
Hop Lounge is a strong first stop. They offer a wide tap list, fresh food, packaged beer, and a room with good music. Use the checklist above, compare them with any other taproom in Bozeman, and you will see why they belong on your list.
