7 Best Kalispell Breweries (and Whitefish) Near Glacier National Park

Looking for the best Kalispell breweries to visit after a day of hiking, wildlife spotting, or soaking up the alpine views in Glacier National Park? Whether you’re staying in Kalispell or just passing through Whitefish, the Flathead Valley is home to a surprisingly strong craft beer scene that deserves a spot on your Montana itinerary.

From bold IPAs and crisp wheat beers to refreshing beer slushies and local food trucks, breweries in Kalispell and Whitefish offer a perfect way to wind down after exploring the park. Many have cozy taprooms, scenic patios, and full food menus – ideal for sipping, snacking, and soaking in the Big Sky vibes.

Short on time? Here are the Quick Takeaways:

• Most breweries in Kalispell and Whitefish offer food or food trucks
• Don’t skip SunRift Brewing and Bonsai Brewing – two of our personal favorites
• Big Sky Beer Kalispell is great if you’re short on time but want to sample local brews
• Not into beer? Spotted Bear Spirits in Whitefish makes excellent craft cocktails

Psst:  We have a bunch of guides about Montana. Browse them all here.

This post was originally published in December 2020, and was updated in June 2025.

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Montana Beer Laws: What You Should Know Before Visiting Kalispell Breweries

Before you start planning your brewery crawl, it’s worth knowing that Montana beer laws are… a little quirky. While the state ranks among the top in the U.S. for breweries per capita (second as of 2020!), the rules for serving alcohol at Montana breweries can feel pretty restrictive, especially for beer lovers who like more than just a flight.

Here’s the quick rundown:
🍺 Breweries can only serve beer between 10 AM and 8 PM – no late-night pints here.
🍺 You’re legally limited to 48 ounces per person per day – that’s just three pints.
🍺 If a brewery produces more than 10,000 barrels annually, they can only offer free samples, not full pours (yep, really).

These laws are designed to protect bars and restaurants, but it means Kalispell and Whitefish breweries have to get creative, and so do we. The upside? You’re basically encouraged to brewery-hop, sip slowly, and sample as many Montana craft beers as you can. Twist our arm.

Map of Whitefish and Kalispell Breweries

Click the interactive map below!

1. SunRift Beer Company

• 📍Location: Kalispell, MT
• 🕒 Hours: Mon–Fri: 11 AM–10 PM | Sat–Sun: 9 AM–10 PM
• 🍽️ Food: Full kitchen
• 🍻 Happy Hour: Mon–Fri: 3 PM–6 PM

SunRift Beer Company  is one of the top Kalispell breweries to visit, especially if you love sunshine, patios, and good vibes. With two buildings, a huge outdoor space, and a view of Montana’s big sky, it’s a perfect spot to kick back with friends after exploring Glacier National Park.

This brewery’s vibe is all about celebrating the outdoors: sun, water, and mountain energy. And it shows in their beers. We loved the Blonde Bomber, a crisp, easy-drinking blonde ale, and the Sol-Gravy oatmeal stout, which was smooth, velvety, and just bold enough.

🍻 Quick Sips Summary:

• Vibe Check: Chill, sunny, social – ideal for afternoons in Kalispell
• Best For: Outdoor patios, post-hike pints, good group energy
• What to Try: Blonde Bomber, Sol-Gravy Stout
• Bonus: Whitefish location open Thurs–Sun (beer only for now)

2. Bias Brewing

• 📍 Location: Kalispell, MT
• 🕒 Hours: Daily 11 AM – 11 PM
• 🍽️ Food: Yes, full kitchen
  • Daily: 11am – 8pm; Small eats available late

Bias Brewing is a creative, small-batch brewery in downtown Kalispell that thrives on experimentation. You won’t find many flagship beers here, instead, expect an ever-changing menu of brews and one-of-a-kind flavors like their frozen daiquiri slushie made with in-house seltzer. It’s the ultimate refreshment on a hot Montana afternoon – just pace yourself… brain freeze is real.

Their Hellroaring Hazy IPA, Josephine Imperial IPA, and Mittlekinder Kölsch were highlights of our tasting flight. They also recently expanded their alcohol license, meaning you can now enjoy wine, champagne, and local ciders along with their beers.

With a spacious taproom and a shaded back patio, Bias is one of the most fun Kalispell breweries to chill at, especially if you like your beer with a twist.

🍻 Quick Sips Summary:

• Best For: Beer variety, slushie cocktails, experimental flavors
• What to Try: Frozen slushie, Hellroaring Hazy, Kölsch
• Bonus: They now serve wine, cider, and champagne
• Vibe Check: Inventive, casual, perfect for patio-hopping

3. Sacred Waters Brewing Co 

• 📍 Location: Kalispell, MT
• 🕒 Hours: Daily, 12 PM – 8 PM
• 🍽️ Food: Yes, full kitchen

Sacred Water Brewing is more than just one of the top breweries in Kalispell, it’s a heartfelt tribute to the founder’s mother, a passionate fly-fisher and outdoor enthusiast who inspired a deep love for Montana’s wild spaces. That legacy lives on in the brewery’s community-driven atmosphere, approachable service, and lineup of refreshing craft beers.

We sampled a flight of six brews and loved every sip. Top standouts were the Raspberry Mojito Sour, the bold and roasty Bull Trout Coffee Stout, and the perfectly balanced Bob IPA. It’s the kind of place where beer meets meaning, and every pint feels like a toast to the people and places that matter most.

If you’re craving a local brew that tells a story, Sacred Waters is a can’t-miss stop near Glacier National Park.

🍻 Quick Sips Summary:

• Best For: Flights with variety, soulful Montana vibes
• What to Try: Raspberry Mojito Sour, Bob IPA, Bull Trout Stout
• Bonus: Story-driven brewery with a strong local following
• Vibe Check: Cozy, welcoming, perfect for unwinding post-adventure

4. Bonsai Brewing Project 

• 📍 Location: Whitefish, MT (30 minutes from Kalispell)
• 🕒 Hours: Tuesday – Sunday: 12 PM – 8 PM (Closed Monday)
• 🍽️ Food: Yes, full kitchen

Though technically located in Whitefish, Bonsai Brewing Project earns its place on any Kalispell breweries list thanks to its standout beers and prime location just 30 minutes from Kalispell and minutes from the entrance to Glacier National Park.

Bonsai is known for small-batch, boundary-pushing brews including IPAs, sours, and barrel-aged experiments that will surprise even seasoned craft beer lovers. After Whitefish’s original brewery closed, Bonsai stepped in as the town’s only remaining local beer haven and they’re crushing it.

Their massive outdoor lawn and picnic-style seating make it one of the best spots for sipping beer in the sun. We particularly loved the Cranky Sheriff, a sour brown ale aged in red wine and bourbon barrels, the Sea Walk, a tart barrel-aged gose, and the Quarter Wit, a light, lemony wheat ale.

Perfect after a day of hiking or paddling, this is the brewery to hit in Whitefish.

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🍻 Quick Sips:

• Vibe Check: Relaxed, artsy, nature-lovers welcome
• Best For: Barrel-aged sours, chill outdoor hangs
• What to Try: Cranky Sheriff, Sea Walk, Quarter Wit

5. Blackstar BrewPub & Restaurant

• 📍 Location: Downtown Whitefish, MT
• 🕒 Hours: Sunday – Thursday, 12 PM – 8 PM | Friday – Saturday, 12 PM – 9 PM
• 🍽️ Food: No (Drinks only)

Located in the heart of downtown Whitefish, Blackstar BrewPub & Restaurant is a great place to grab a pint and soak in epic views of Big Mountain. Originally founded in 1994 as the iconic Great Northern Brewing Company, the space was reimagined in 2022 as Blackstar, a name and theme that nods to the region’s historic railway roots.

Spread over three levels, this brewpub features cozy nooks, outdoor balconies, and a rooftop terrace with panoramic mountain views, making it a great stop after a day of exploring Glacier National Park or wandering Whitefish.

Blackstar serves up a rotating lineup of Jeremiah Johnson Brewing Co. beers, brewed on-site using Montana-grown barley from the state’s famous Golden Triangle. That local grain gives their beers a flavor that’s distinctly Montana.

There’s no food menu here, so grab a drink before or after dining nearby.

🍻 Quick Sips Summary:

• Best For: Post-hike rooftop beers with a view
• What to Try: Jeremiah Johnson Blonde Ale, Honey Weizen
• Bonus: Three floors of seating + rooftop terrace
• Vibe Check: Historic meets modern with mountain views

6. Patriotic American Brewery

• 📍 Location: Kalispell, MT
• 🕒 Hours: Tuesday – Sunday, 12 PM – 8 PM | Closed Monday
• 🍽️ Food: Yes, flatbreads

Founded in early 2023 by veteran duo Josie and Matt, Patriotic American Brewery  brings red, white, and brew energy to Kalispell’s growing craft beer scene. After years of military and public service, this husband-and-wife team set out to create a community-focused taproom where people could gather, relax, and enjoy American-style craft beer with heart.

The beers here are inspired by the early patriots and the spirit of unity, ranging from crisp lagers and smooth stouts to bold American IPAs. Brewed on a small-batch 5-barrel system, each pint tells a story of craftsmanship and dedication.

And if you’re a veteran, active-duty military, or first responder, you’ll get $1 off every pint, a small thank-you for your service.

As their website cheekily says: “George Washington drank beer. Enough said.”

🍻 Quick Sips Summary:

• Vibe Check: Chill, patriotic, and community-centered
• Best For: Craft beer lovers who enjoy history and hometown vibes
• What to Try: Founding Father IPA, Liberty Blonde Ale
• Bonus: Military & first responders get a discount

7. Backslope Brewery 

• 📍 Location: Columbia Falls, MT (20 mins from Glacier National Park)
• 🕒 Hours: Daily, 11 AM – 8 PM
• 🍽️ Food: Yes, full kitchen

Just 20 minutes south of Glacier National Park’s west entrance, Backslope Brewing  is one of the best brewery stops in the Flathead Valley for hikers, road trippers, and beer lovers alike.

Though technically not in Kalispell, we’re including it on this list because it’s that good and if you’re heading into or out of Glacier, it’s perfectly placed for a delicious detour.

Backslope offers a rotating lineup of beers that ranges from easy-drinking blondes like the Pilgrim Ale to bold, hoppy brews like the Crooked Wind IPA. You’ll also find seasonal sours, saisons, gluten-free tropical brews, and even Belgian Tripels popping up on tap.

What really sets Backslope apart? The food. Their kitchen isn’t just a side note, it’s a full-blown bistro with a menu crafted to pair beautifully with their beers. We couldn’t resist the hand-cut garlic confit parmesan fries (a must-order), and nearly every table around us was ordering main dishes that looked incredible.

Whether you’re fueling up after a long hike or relaxing on your way back to Kalispell, Backslope is a brewery you’ll want to savor.

🍻 Quick Sips Summary:

• Vibe Check: Cozy, mountain-modern, and very foodie-friendly
• Best For: Glacier explorers who want a full meal with great beer
• What to Try: Crooked Wind IPA, Pilgrim Blonde, garlic parmesan fries
• Bonus: Elevated pub food with local ingredients

BONUS: Glacier Distilling Company 

• 📍 Location: Coram, MT (7 miles from Glacier NP’s west entrance)
• 🕒 Hours: Daily, 10 AM – 8 PM (winter hours may vary)
• 🍽️ Food: No

While technically not one of the breweries in Kalispell, Glacier Distilling Company earns a spot on this list for two reasons: its prime location near Glacier National Park and its damn good whiskey.

Located in Coram, just minutes from the park’s west entrance, the rustic red barn distillery is a cozy haven for spirit lovers. Inside the Whiskey Barn, you’ll find a tasting room full of barrel-aged charm and a spacious patio perfect for sipping in the Montana air.

With over 20 handcrafted spirits, Glacier Distilling serves everything from small-batch bourbon to Montana huckleberry-infused whiskey. Flights of 4 tastings are under $10 – a budget-friendly way to sample their creativity.

The story behind the distillery is as wild as the terrain it’s nestled in: born during a blizzard in 2009-2010, a group of friends decided they’d survive the apocalypse with one thing: whiskey. The result? A distillery that now churns out award-winning spirits like:

• Bearproof – A punchy, huckleberry whiskey that’s as dangerous as it sounds
• Trapline Rock & Rye – A rye whiskey sweetened with honey and citrus, perfect for slow sipping

They also offer cocktails made with house spirits if straight liquor isn’t your jam.

🍻 Quick Sips Summary:

• Vibe Check: Rustic Montana charm with serious craft credentials
• Best For: Whiskey lovers visiting Glacier NP
• What to Try: Bearproof & Trapline Rock & Rye
• Bonus: Tasting flights were less than $10

BONUS: Spotted Bear Spirits 

• 📍 Location: Whitefish, MT
• 🕒 Hours: Daily, 4 PM – 8 PM
• 🍽️ Food: Not available

Not technically one of the Kalispell breweries, but Spotted Bear Spirits in Whitefish deserves a special shoutout for its creative cocktails and adventurous mountain spirit. Nestled in downtown Whitefish, this small-batch distillery has become a local favorite for craft cocktails that showcase the flavors of Montana.

With a focus on locally sourced ingredients and seasonal produce, their cocktail menu is full of surprises. We tried the Barracuda, a bold blend of pineapple, cucumber, lime, agave, and just a touch of Serrano pepper, and a Montana Mule made with their house huckleberry-infused vodka. Both were refreshing, complex, and full of flavor.

Their spirits lineup includes:

• Vodka
• Gin
• Agave & barrel-rested agave
• Limoncello
• Coffee liqueur

Speaking of limoncello, coming from folks who’ve sipped the real deal in Sorrento, we were seriously impressed. Spotted Bear’s version is bright, citrusy, and dangerously sippable.

Their tasting room feels like a tribute to outdoor adventure, with a laid-back vibe and rotating seasonal cocktails like wild berry margaritas and fresh herb mules. It’s the perfect après-hike stop after a day in Glacier National Park.

🍻 Quick Sips Summary:

• Best For: Cocktail lovers exploring Whitefish
• What to Try: Barracuda & Montana Mule
• Bonus: Housemade limoncello is chef’s kiss
• Vibe Check: Mountain-chic, cozy, and creative

FAQ: Kalispell Breweries & Beer Near Glacier National Park

What are the best breweries in Kalispell, Montana?
Some of the top-rated breweries in Kalispell include SunRift Beer Company, Bias Brewing, and Sacred Waters Brewing Co. Each offers unique beers, outdoor patios, and food options – making them perfect stops after a day in Glacier National Park.

Are there any breweries in Whitefish, MT?
Yes! While smaller than Kalispell’s scene, Bonsai Brewing Project and Blackstar BrewPub are standout options in Whitefish. Bonsai is known for barrel-aged and sour beers, while Blackstar has rooftop views and beers brewed on-site.

Can you visit more than one brewery in a day in Kalispell?
Yes, but keep Montana’s beer laws in mind. Breweries can only serve 48 oz. (3 pints) per person per day and must stop serving by 8 PM. Because of this, many locals and visitors brewery-hop to try multiple spots in a day.

Do Kalispell breweries serve food?
Most do! SunRift, Bias, Backslope, and Sacred Waters all have full kitchens or food options. It’s always a good idea to check the latest menu or hours before visiting, especially in the off-season.

Is there a brewery close to Glacier National Park?
Yes, Backslope Brewing in Columbia Falls is located just 20 minutes from the park’s west entrance and is a popular pre- or post-hike spot with a full kitchen and rotating taps.

Are there happy hours at Kalispell breweries?
Yes! The breweries can offer happy hour deals. For example, SunRift Beer Company has happy hour from 3–6 PM, Monday through Friday. Specials vary by location and season.

Are any breweries veteran-owned or military-friendly?
Yes, Patriotic American Brewery in Kalispell is veteran-owned and offers $1 off all pints for veterans, active military, and first responders.

Can you bring kids to the breweries in Kalispell or Whitefish?
Most breweries in Montana are family-friendly, especially those with food and outdoor space like SunRift, Backslope, and Bonsai Brewing Project. Always check with the brewery directly for their most up-to-date policy.

What’s the best time to visit breweries in this area?
Late spring through early fall is ideal. Many breweries have outdoor seating to take advantage of Montana’s beautiful summer weather, and seasonal beers are often on tap.

Is there anything besides beer nearby?
Absolutely! If you want a break from beer, check out Spotted Bear Spirits in Whitefish. They serve creative Montana-inspired cocktails made with local ingredients in a cozy tasting room.

Final Sips: Kalispell & Whitefish Breweries Worth the Buzz

After a long day exploring Glacier National Park’s epic trails, there’s nothing better than raising a glass at one of the many Kalispell or Whitefish breweries. From craft IPAs to creative sours and locally inspired stouts, the beer scene here is a well-earned reward for all that outdoor adventure.

Whether you’re planning a brewery crawl, grabbing one pint with a view, or diving into a full flight, these spots bring local flavor to every pour.

Still thirsty? Keep the taps flowing with more guides:

• 5 Can’t Miss Banff Breweries And Beer Bars In Canada
• The Ultimate Glacier National Park Hikes and Trip Planning Guide
• Guide to the breweries in Missoula Montana