Top Honors for Two Billings Breweries at Statewide Beer Contest

The Montana Brewers Association hosted its annual statewide beer awards last week in Helena. While no Billings brewers took Gold, three Billings brews finished in the Top 3 at the highly competitive event, open to commercial brewers only.

Read More: 5 Brew Pubs Highest Rated For Local Beer in Billings

Almost every town in Montana has at least one brewery.

Before we explore the three 2024 award-winning Billings beers, hats off to Montana's Breweries of the Year. The Montana Brewers Association recognized the following breweries for their overall contributions to industry, community endeavors, and of course... great beer.

• Community Impact Award: Philipsburg Brewing Company
• Small Brewery of the Year: Backslope Brewing (Columbia Falls)
• Medium Brewery of the Year: Neptune’s Brewery (Livingston)
• Large Brewery of the Year: Bozeman Brewing Company

Thirsty Street and Montana Brewing Company scored trophies in three categories at the competition. Let's check it out.

Light Ales/Hybrid - Montana Brewing Company

The Montana Brewing Company, a longtime downtown Billings favorite for great beer, (and equally satisfying food) won a Bronze medal this year for its Sandbagger Gold. 

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Hazy Pale Ales - Thirsty Street Brewing

Thirsty Street has hundreds (thousands?) of loyal fans in Billings and around the state, and they're no stranger to winning awards either. This year they took a Silver medal for their Hopster Doofus brew.

Brown and Black Ales - Thirsty Street Brewing

Thirsty Street returned to the podium to collect a Silver award for its flavorful Big Bison. Fans of a nice stout shouldn't miss this one.

Montana's brewery scene continues to flourish.

According to the Montana Brewers Association, there are currently 97 breweries in Montana "with 4 known breweries in planning as of November 2023." We haven't heard the timelines or locations of the four new breweries, but if we find out, we'll share the news.