Wolf Pack Brewing Co (West Yellowstone, MT)

This was one of the weirdest pub hunts ever. My wife and I ordered the Wapiti Wheat Hefeweizen and Embalmer's Eisbock samples to start ($1.50 for six ounce samples for all beers except the Eisbock was double). Both were exceptional. My wife ordered a ($8) pint of the Eisbock and it was well worth it—wish I had gotten more of it.

Emboldened by the good beer, we ordered a margherita pizza—a bold move in Montana—but the beer was good, so it seemed ok. We both agreed that it was the worst pizza we've ever had: doggy, tomatoes were old, cheese was a little too strong to be good. Ugh. Ordered french fries to cover, which were very good. Crispy and incredibly well seasoned, somewhat like potato oles at Taco John's (which is a compliment for us), we'd go back for just the fries alone if in town.

Then I tried the other beers. The pilsner, and, especially, the Patriot Pale Ale had very off flavors and poorly done. The Storm Castle Irish Stout was good and fairly well done, but not superior. None matched the first two beers at all.  Overall, this was one of the best and worst stops on this vacation. If going to Yellowstone, show up during the day for this pub (open noon to 8 p.m only because of Montana law, according to the door), order food safe for the backcountry, and, when you find a beer you like, stick to it.

Montana Brewing Co (Billings, MT)

For a quick stop off the freeway in Billings, this was a worthwhile.  My wife and I had been in Yellowstone NP for the day and were very hungry when we arrived. Montana Brewing Co is set in an historic building that was the Montana Power Co in 1887, the first electricity in Billings. Very beautiful old white building that towered above the patio for the bar. We sat inside and ordered chips and salsa to start. Good chips w/ two types of salsa, one standard and spicy, the other mango based. Our pasta dish was also tasty with more spice than I expected in Montana.

The sampler of beers was only five bucks and we got seven different beers, all respectable, and GABF winners according to the menu. Of the beers tasted, Custer's Last Stout was good but a little thin, just like the barleywine. By far and away the best beer was the Sharptail Pale Ale, a strong well balance pale ale that bordered on but did not quite cross over to an IPA. Light, refreshing, and well hopped with an excellent aroma. Waitress was friendly and fast, but didn't know much about beer.

Definitely stop by if you pass by Billings.