Lets be honest here. Great Falls, Montana, has not been a hotbed of craft beer activity. When many of Montana’s other larger cities got a new brewery (or three or four), a few bars and restaurants with nice tap selections and an improving craft presence in the local grocery stores, Great Falls plodded along on the macro-adjunct-lager train. Yet, one thing is becoming clear. Great Falls’ aversion to craft beer wasn’t due to a lack of demand. Rather, it seems an attitude shift of sorts from those serving up the offerings was all that was necessary.
Perhaps the most dramatic shift occurred at the Stein Haus on 1st Avenue in Great Falls’ downtown core. Long regarded as one of the city’s infamous dive bars, the Stein Haus underwent a slow remodeling process that transformed the space into something that still looks like it has been there a long time. There’s the wood floors and paneling that nearly every comfortable bar in Montana seems to have. There is also a large indoor fire pit taking center stage in the back half of the bar flanked by a pool table, dart board and a jukebox. But that’s not what grabbed our attention.
Stein Haus bartender TJ is a big fan of craft beer. Through his passion, he convinced the owners to start switching out the standard macro fare in favor of Montana craft taps. Of the 24 taps, only 3 remain dedicated to the bud lights of the world. The other 21 feature a frequently rotating selection of Montana brewed craft beer. Even better? They focus on Montana craft beers that generally aren’t available elsewhere in Great Falls. So, for example, you won’t find Harvest Moon Beltian White, brewed 20 miles away in Belt, but you will find Lone Peak’s Hippy Highway Oatmeal Stout. On my visit, there were three Blackfoot River taps, two each for Great Northern, Madison River and Bayern, and more with Yellowstone Valley, Lone Peak and others. A keg from Great Falls’ new brewery Bowser Brewing had blown just the day before. Some specialty firkins have been known to show up from time to time as well.
I sat down and enjoyed a Madison River Black Ghost Oatmeal Stout on nitro while visiting with TJ and waiting for my dinner from the next-door Howard’s Pizza, which you can order right from the bar. Stein Haus sells growlers, too, and will happily fill you up with anything from their fine selection. While you’re having a pint, waiting for some food, or getting a growler to go, be sure and check out the braided chain hanging from the ceiling. It’s made of 33,460 bottle caps and leaves you wondering who had the patience to string them all together. Sure, Stein Haus lost a few customers who weren’t happy about losing their coors light tap, but they’ve gained much more with a craft beer loving crowd who frequently stops by to ask “what’s new?”
The Stein Haus. It’s where to find beer.
