About Bayern Brewing
Bayern Brewing opened in Missoula in 1987 and calls itself the oldest microbrewery still operating in Montana. Jürgen Knöller, a master brewer trained in Bavaria, came on as brewmaster that year and bought the brewery in 1991. Today brewmaster Thorsten Geuer, also a German-trained master brewer, oversees the beer. Everything is brewed on site following the Reinheitsgebot, the German purity law of 1516, and you can watch the brewhouse through its windows.
The lineup is built on cold German lagers: Pilsener, Amber, Kölsch, Maibock, Doppelbock, Oktoberfest and Celebration Pilsener, plus beers with names like Dragon's Breath, Dump Truck, Face Plant, Groomer and St. Walter. The taproom pours daily from 11 am to 8 pm, so you can taste the seasonal releases as they come out.
The Edelweiss Bistro shares the building and cooks German food from scratch: Bavarian pretzels, bratwurst with kraut, chicken schnitzel, Jägerschnitzel and Frikadelle. The full kitchen runs Wednesday through Saturday, with a snack menu Sunday through Tuesday, and the bistro is open Monday through Saturday. The brewery also posts events on its website and accepts donation requests from local groups.
Big Sky Lavender Farms in Florence is about 30 minutes south on US-93 through the Bitterroot Valley. Its goods are sold online, so check its visiting options before pairing a lavender stop with a pretzel and a lager here.
What to do
- Taste German lagers brewed under the 1516 purity law
- Watch the brewhouse through the windows
- Order a Bavarian pretzel or schnitzel at the Edelweiss Bistro
- Try a seasonal release such as Maibock, Oktoberfest or Dragon's Breath
- Check the events page for upcoming happenings
Season, hours and prices
- Season
- Taproom open daily; seasonal lagers rotate through the year
- Hours
- Posted on their website (checked October 2026): taproom daily 11 am–8 pm; Edelweiss Bistro Mon–Sat 11 am–8 pm, full kitchen Wed–Sat, snack menu Sun–Tue
Good to know
- Age
- 21 or older to taste or drink alcohol
Tips for your visit
- Come Wednesday through Saturday if you want the full bistro menu
- The bistro is closed Sundays, but the taproom is open
- Plan a designated driver before you go
Pair it with a lavender farm
Big Sky Lavender Farms · about 30 minutes away
Big Sky Lavender Farms in Florence is about 30 minutes south; confirm its visiting options before you combine the two.
Getting there
Questions
How old is Bayern Brewing?
It opened in Missoula in 1987 and says it is the oldest microbrewery still operating in Montana.
Is there food?
Yes. The Edelweiss Bistro serves scratch-made German food, with the full menu Wednesday through Saturday and snacks Sunday through Tuesday.
What style of beer does Bayern make?
Mostly German-style lagers brewed under the Reinheitsgebot of 1516.
🗺️ Part of the guide Things to Do Near the Lavender Farm of Florence & the Bitterroot Valley, Montana
Checked in October 2026 against the business’s own website and local tourism pages. Hours and seasons change, so check with them before you go. How we check listings · Is this your business? Claim it free
