Red Lodge Ales

I remember visiting Red Lodge Ales when it was attached to the bowling ally.  When I came back to visit a few years later, I noticed the huge building just outside of town and of coarse had to give it a try.

Sam's Tap Room is a great place for a beer. It is the new (for me) tap room for Red Lodge Ales. The new brewery building looks great. It operates more as a bar than a regular brewery tap room. They serve food and wine as well, so I think that is why they can get around the silly brewery laws in Montana. Which means it can be open longer, and there is no three beers per person limit.

As you walk in, the room is very large and open with a bar along the back. There is a pool table and some darts. There is also a great patio to sit at outside. The brewery equipment can be seen to the left as you walk in the door. The service was very friendly and knowledgable. I did not meet the brewmaster, but the other people working knew their stuff. The patrons that visit are very friendly. There was a bicycle race through town, and a lot of the racers stopped in for a visit.

The bar has about 8 taps. All are Red Lodge Ale's plus one guest tap. You can get pretty much anything in a growler. Most of their year round stuff is available with some seasonals as well. I love the porter, hefe, and pale ale. They had the Sctoch Ale on Nitro as well.

I did not try the food, but it looked like a good place for lunch. Lots a sandwiches, salads and such. Overall, you can't beat fresh beer from the source. An excellent place to relax and take in the great local atmosphere of Red Lodge (brewery and town).

If they have it, try the broken nail IPA! It's a hoppier version of their bent nail IPA. This place is good to go to after skiing or hiking to grab a beer and a sandwich. The sandwiches are respectable and filling. Try the chicken salad, it's a little different than your average. I have to give this place 5 stars because I have stopped here every time I've gone to Red Lodge.

Check it out now before these guys really blow up while the prices are still good.  Get a Growler!