The pioneer of Montana's craft beer boom. Famous for the legendary Cold Smoke Scotch Ale, KettleHouse brews its beers on the banks of the Blackfoot River.
KettleHouse Brewing Company stands as one of the founding pillars of Montana's modern craft beer movement. Established in 1995 by husband-and-wife team Tim O'Leary and Suzy Rizza, the brewery began life as a humble brew-on-premises shop in Missoula where locals could brew their own batches of beer. Recognizing the limitations of this business model, the founders set their sights on a traditional commercial microbrewery. In 1999, KettleHouse, alongside other early Montana brewers, successfully lobbied the state legislature to allow on-premise consumption, establishing the legal framework for the modern taproom sample room. This historic effort, which permitted breweries to serve up to 48 ounces of beer per customer daily, ignited the state's craft beer renaissance. KettleHouse continued its streak of industry firsts in 2006, when it became the very first craft brewery in Montana to package its beer in aluminum cans, a decision driven by O'Leary's commitment to recyclable packaging and an active outdoor lifestyle.
The undisputed flagship of the KettleHouse lineup is Cold Smoke Scotch Ale, a dark, exceptionally smooth, and slightly sweet brew that has achieved legendary status across the Pacific Northwest. Accounting for more than 70 percent of the brewery's total production, Cold Smoke was named in honor of the light, powdery snow prized by Montana skiers. Despite its deep color and rich, malt-forward profile, it carries a remarkably mild bitterness of just 11 IBUs, making it an approachable gateway beer for light beer drinkers and craft enthusiasts alike. Over the years, the brewery's portfolio has also featured other beloved mainstays, including Double Haul IPA, Shady New England IPA, Hellgate Honey Hefeweizen, and the notorious Fresh Bongwater Hemp Pale Ale, which famously drew federal scrutiny in 1998 over its use of industrial hemp seeds.
As demand grew, KettleHouse underwent significant structural changes. To bypass Montana's strict production caps on taproom sales, the company eventually consolidated its brewing operations. The historic Northside taproom, opened in 2009 in a former fruit warehouse, was permanently closed in 2020. In 2023, the iconic Myrtle Street Taphouse, affectionately known to locals as the "K-Hole" since its 1995 debut, was sold to independent owners. Today, KettleHouse's heart beats at its state-of-the-art, 25,000-square-foot production facility and taproom in Bonner, situated on an 18-acre site along the banks of the Blackfoot River. This facility is a model of environmental stewardship, featuring a custom-built wastewater treatment system designed to protect the river's delicate ecosystem, as well as a solar panel array built in partnership with the Missoula Electric Cooperative. Directly adjacent to the brewery sits the 4,250-capacity KettleHouse Amphitheater, a world-class outdoor music venue developed in partnership with Logjam Presents, where concertgoers can sip fresh Cold Smoke on draft right next to the flowing river.
Order a pint of Cold Smoke at the Bonner taproom, then walk over to catch a riverside concert at the adjacent KettleHouse Amphitheater.
Coffee & Craft — Roadside fuel stops curated by Basecamp West. The best coffee shops, craft breweries, diners, and eateries worth the detour on your next Western road trip.