My trip out west wasn’t intended as a beer vacation, but I think it might qualify. I planned the trip to experience the natural beauty of Grand Teton and Yellowstone.  Those iconic national parks are two good reasons to head west, but I have a third: the beer.

I was impressed with the great beer being brewed in Idaho, Montana, and Wyoming. Since this was my first trip to the area, I wanted to immerse myself in the local beer scene. I think I succeeded — my final tally over the 11-day trip: 41 different beers sampled from 15 different breweries, plus one brewpub visit.

For completeness, here are the beers not mentioned in my earlier Yellowstone blog posts:

Big Hole Brewing Company, Belgrade, Montana

• Headstrong Pale Ale, on draft at the Lake Hotel Dining Room
• Big Hole Mythical White Grand Reserve, bought single bottle in Canyon Village

Red Lodges Brewing, Red Lodge, Montana

• Bent Nail IPA, on draft at Roosevelt Lodge
• Hefeweizen, on draft at Bear Den lounge at Old Faithful Inn

Kettlehouse Brewing Company, Missoula, Montana

• Cold Smoke Scotch Ale, on draft at Rosie’s in Gardiner
• Double Haul IPA, bought 16 oz can in Old Faithful Village

Lone Peak Brewery, Big Sky, Montana

• Nordic Blonde, on draft at Snow Lodge Dining Room

Madison River Brewing Company, Belgrade, Montana

• Black Ghost Oatmeal Stout,  on draft at Wolfpack Ale House in West Yellowstone

New Belgium Brewing, Fort Collins, Colorado

• Ranger IPA, on draft in the Denver airport

Alaskan Brewing Company, Juneau, Alaska

• Alaskan Amber, bottle in Gardiner after rafting trip (thanks, Dave)

With the Yellowstone Trip report complete, I can start writing about my summer visits to Maryland brewpubs – six since Memorial Day.

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