First visit: Aug 2024
We visited Sheridan, Wyoming and then headed for the great state of Montana. We haven't been to the state since 2014, a trip I regretted not documenting for the RJG real time. And as noted before, this was all new territory for us, as our last trip included Libby, Kalispell, Missoula, and Butte. In fact, we had only been to Montana one other time way back in 2000, which was my first visit ever. There we covered Livingston, Helena, and Great Falls.
So yes, I'd never been to Billings prior. We "worked" late this Saturday evening going to 7:00. After that we checked into our digs, an historic downtown place called Northern Hotel. I love old hotels like this, Mrs. RJG not so much. We were gifted a top floor room with nice views - well as nice a view as Billings will afford lol.
Right down the block is Montana Brewing Company, an old-fashioned elaborate brewpub like we used to see in the 90's and 00's. Many of these have gone the way of the dodo giving way to either the corporate big dogs or the small neighborhood brewery with food trucks nearby (if you're lucky). But Montana Brewery brought me back to the mid 90s, a time I wouldn't mind being frozen in. In fact, there are many parallels here with Colorado Springs' own Phantom Canyon Brewing that we highly praise here at the RJG.
It was late so we decided to split a cheeseburger with mozzarella cheese, well done, and we enjoyed it. The fries were "too mushy" however. I also went for the flatbread pizza. A bit on the cracker-y side honestly (no Joe Benny's) but I still liked it. Excellent beer as to be expected. The place was very popular and it felt alive. Terrible music of course - as per protocol. Why don't they just play country? Goes with the atmosphere. Leave the indie pop behind. Ugh.
I'd go back here in a heartbeat. But will I ever be back in Billings? Probably not but you never know.
We closed the night at the hotel bar known as TEN with one beer each. We crashed quickly after that.
8/24/24 (new entry)
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