Nestled along the shore of the Bozeman beach with the Bridger Mountain range as a backdrop, MAP Brewing Company welcomes locals and visitors alike to enjoy both great food and great beer in their industrial-modern brewery and restaurant. Whether dining al fresco, sitting at the well-apportioned bar or dining at a table, you will be treated to a Montana experience you will not forget. MAP is a waterfront mecca with mountain vistas to be enjoyed throughout the year.
MAP opened seven years ago but it feels as if they've been around for much longer. Owner Patrick (PK) Kainz is a 30-year resident who had a vision of creating a one-of-a-kind experience around the brews they offer, and he's accomplished just that. His wife, a local blacksmith, artist, and painter exhibits her work throughout. Repurposed whiskey barrels full of aging beer sit at the entrance of the brewing and canning facility, and a team of knowledgeable waitstaff ensures that each guest gets a world class experience.
The brewery did not immediately offer culinary options, but PK quickly realized that he had a unique opportunity to offer something most breweries were not: good beer accompanied by good food. While the kitchen was being constructed, they brought in food trucks, and once completed, they handcrafted the menu to include more than typical pub fare. They have grown from 16 employees in the beginning to upwards of 70 employees as they maximize the space and their menu.
Ingredients for both the beer and the food are sourced from local producers. Be it malted barley or local beef, or a host of complimenting ingredients, they endeavor to keep their award-winning beer and made-from-scratch menu rooted in the richness of Montana's agriculture. The malted barley is both harvested and malted with local Montana producers. PK worked with local malting facilities to more closely match capacity to demand in order to source exclusively from homegrown businesses for this key beer ingredient. Spent grain is sent to local ranches to feed their cattle and pigs in what equates to a dessert for the farm animals and adds further sustainability to their brewing process.
The brewing and canning facilities are adjacent to the dining area. Large fifty-thousand-pound silos store the malted barley as it’s readied for the brewing process. These silos are filled up every three months to supply their robust brewing and canning operation. On brewing and canning days the savory aroma is heady.
MAP distinguishes itself by also distributing their beer using in-house workers and not outsourcing their distribution to ensure they maintain a more personal relationship with their customers. Their service area the Gallatin and Paradise Valleys along with surrounding communities such as Big Sky, but chances are you will find Strange Cattle or another of their beers in most of the area's food and drink locations.
Although distribution remains localized, MAP Brewing enters beers in many national competitions and has won multiple medals which are displayed - in true Montana style - on the rack of an elk trophy. With the explosive growth of breweries in the United States, now around nine thousand, winning the number of gold and silver medals they have is an impressive feat.
MAP Brewing Company enjoys sponsoring events and being involved in the Bozeman community. Monday evenings are pint nights that support a local nonprofit. Every month they rotate which organization they support. Throughout the year they sponsor additional events such as film festivals and cross country or downhill ski races. PK says that “being part of and supporting the community is a crucial part of who we are as a business.”
MAP Brewing Company has quickly become a Bozeman landmark. A home-grown business whose values are rooted in local involvement from start to finish defines success for all of us. Go see for yourself: They are open daily from 12 pm to 8 pm at 510 Manley Road.