Bayern Brewing
A Missoula, Montana brewery specializing in German-style beer and Bavarian food, and the oldest brewery in the state.
Last updated August 25, 2026
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Overview
Bayern Brewing, Inc. is a private brewery based in Missoula, Montana, and is recognized as the oldest brewery in the state. Founded in 1987 by Trudy Schulte, Reinhard Schulte, and Donald Gamer, the company was established by people with direct cultural and professional connections to Bavaria, the southeastern German state known in German as Bayern. Its identity has therefore been built around German brewing traditions, Bavarian hospitality, and a distinctly local Montana setting. The brewery began in a building near Missoula's downtown train depot on North Higgins Avenue, where it operated alongside a bar and restaurant established by the Schultes. Montana law at the time created practical obstacles for the business. Brewpubs were not yet legally recognized, and the brewery had to use a distributor to move beer a short distance from its production area to its associated bar and restaurant, even though the businesses occupied the same building. Early production also faced supply difficulties, particularly in obtaining yeast. German brewing equipment, however, was comparatively accessible because of favorable exchange rates and offered the quality the founders wanted. In 1991, after German reunification and the fall of the Berlin Wall, the original owners returned to Germany and sold the brewery to Jürgen Knöller. Knöller had joined Bayern as its master brewer after completing extensive brewing training in Germany, including study at Doemens' Masterschool for Brewing and Soft Drink Technology in Munich. He became the brewery's principal owner and has guided its operations and expansion since then. Under Knöller's ownership, Bayern retained its German orientation while developing a durable Montana identity. The brewery moved twice as its production needs increased, first from its original downtown location to a plant at 2600 South Third Street West and later to its current facility at 1507 Montana Street. Its portfolio includes German-influenced beers such as Pilsner, Hefeweizen, Doppel Weizen, Doppel Bock, Dark Märzen, Maibock, Oktoberfest, and Dancing Trout. Bayern states that its brewing follows the Reinheitsgebot, or Bavarian Purity Law, emphasizing water, malted grain, hops, and yeast rather than fruit or other flavor additives. Bayern expanded beyond packaged beer when it opened Edelweiss Bistro in 2015. The Missoula restaurant serves German dishes including käsespätzle, currywurst, schnitzel, and sauerkraut, extending the company's beer-and-food concept while emphasizing local sourcing. The brewery also has a strong community and environmental orientation. It has reused glass bottles since 2010, introduced reusable cardboard eco-packs, invested in a bottle-washing machine, and supplies brewing by-products to local farmers for animal feed. Its labels and advertising frequently use work by Montana artist Monte Dolack, whose designs depict regional wildlife and landscapes. Regulatory change created additional room for growth. Montana previously limited craft-brewery production to 10,000 barrels. House Bill 541, passed and signed in 2017, raised the ceiling to 60,000 barrels. That same year Bayern began canning its beer and introduced 32-ounce crowler cans. The company remains an independent, regionally focused brewery whose proposition combines traditional German brewing, Montana community ties, hospitality, and sustainability.
History
Bayern Brewing was established in 1987 in Missoula, Montana, by Trudy Schulte, Reinhard Schulte, and Donald Gamer. The Schultes had emigrated from Bavaria, and the brewery's name refers to Bayern, the German name for Bavaria. From its beginning, the business combined beer production with a bar and restaurant, creating a German-oriented hospitality concept in a state where brewpubs were not yet legally permitted. The original operation occupied premises near Missoula's downtown train depot on North Higgins Avenue. Montana's regulatory framework required the brewery to use a distributor to move beer to its associated bar and restaurant, despite the two operations being separated only by a door. The early years also involved difficulties securing brewing inputs, especially yeast. German machinery was nevertheless attractive because it combined quality with relatively favorable pricing at the time. In 1991, following the fall of the Berlin Wall and German reunification, the original owners returned to Germany and sold the brewery to Jürgen Knöller. Knöller had been Bayern's master brewer and had developed his interest in brewing in Bavaria as a teenager. He completed a long period of professional training and graduated from Doemens' Masterschool for Brewing and Soft Drink Technology in Munich before joining the newly founded Missoula brewery in 1987. After acquiring Bayern, he became its principal owner and continued operating it as a German-influenced brewery rooted in Montana. The company relocated twice during its development. Its first move took it from the downtown area to 2600 South Third Street West, and later expansion led to the current facility at 1507 Montana Street. Knöller subsequently recruited Thorsten Geuer as master brewer. Geuer had worked as an apprentice at Früh brewery in Cologne, completed an internship at Bayern, and studied brewing at VLB Berlin before taking on his role in 2002. Bayern's brewing program has emphasized German methods and the Reinheitsgebot, commonly translated as the Bavarian Purity Law. Its portfolio has included Pilsner, Hefeweizen, Doppel Weizen, Doppel Bock, Dark Märzen, Maibock, Oktoberfest, and other German-style beers. The brewery imports German-specific hops and presents many of its products as beers made in a German fashion. Montana artist Monte Dolack has designed labels and promotional artwork for several of the company's best-known beers, including Doppel Bock, Pilsner, Dancing Trout, Maibock, and Oktoberfest. His imagery connects the brand's German brewing identity with Montana wildlife and landscapes. The company broadened its hospitality business in 2015 by opening Edelweiss Bistro. The bistro serves traditional German dishes such as käsespätzle, currywurst, schnitzel, and sauerkraut. Its food program supports Bayern's broader Bavarian positioning, while the brewery has also emphasized local and humane sourcing for some ingredients. Environmental initiatives became an increasingly visible part of the business. Bayern began recycling its glass bottles in 2010 and developed reusable cardboard eco-packs to encourage customers to return bottles. Customers using the program receive a small discount on each returned bottle, and Bayern installed a dedicated bottle-washing machine. The brewery has also donated spent brewing materials to local farmers for use as animal feed. In 2007, Bayern changed the name of one of its leading beers from the licensed Trout Slayer designation to Dancing Trout. The change was intended to reduce licensing costs and better reflect Knöller's conservation-oriented outlook. Dancing Trout became an official beer sponsor of Trout Unlimited in Montana, with part of its sales proceeds directed toward trout and habitat preservation. A separate Trout Slayer beer with a different recipe was later introduced by Big Sky Brewing Company. Montana's former 10,000-barrel production cap constrained Bayern's expansion. House Bill 541, passed and signed in 2017, increased the limit to 60,000 barrels. Bayern began canning its beer that year and introduced a 32-ounce crowler. The brewery remains an active, independently operated Missoula business centered on German-style beer, Bavarian food, local artistic collaboration, and sustainability.
- 2017
Production cap is raised and Bayern enters canned packaging
[1]Montana's House Bill 541 raises the craft-brewery limit to 60,000 barrels; Bayern begins canning beer and launches a 32-ounce crowler.
- 2015
Edelweiss Bistro opens
[1]The brewery adds a German restaurant serving Bavarian and broader German specialties.
- 2010
Glass-bottle recycling begins
[1]Bayern starts recycling its glass bottles as part of its sustainability program.
- 2007
Dancing Trout replaces the licensed Trout Slayer name
[1]Bayern phases in the Dancing Trout identity for one of its best-selling beers and links the product to trout conservation.
- 2002
Thorsten Geuer becomes master brewer
[1]After German apprenticeship and brewing studies, Thorsten Geuer takes on the master-brewer role at Bayern.
- 1991
Jürgen Knöller acquires the brewery
[1]After the original owners return to Germany, Bayern's master brewer Jürgen Knöller purchases the brewery and becomes its principal owner.
- 1987
Bayern Brewing is founded in Missoula
[1]Trudy Schulte, Reinhard Schulte, and Donald Gamer establish the brewery, bar, and restaurant operation in Missoula, Montana.
Products and positioning
An independent Montana brewery offering traditional German-style beers and Bavarian food while emphasizing regional identity, community participation, and environmentally conscious packaging and production practices.
German-style lager
Pilsner
A German-inspired pilsner representing Bayern's focus on traditional European brewing styles. It is among the brewery's established core beers and has featured label artwork by Montana artist Monte Dolack.
German-style wheat beer
Hefeweizen
A wheat-beer offering made within Bayern's German brewing program. Hefeweizen is part of the brewery's portfolio of beers associated with Bavarian and broader German brewing traditions.
German-style wheat beer
Doppel Weizen
A stronger wheat-beer style in Bayern's German-oriented range. The product reflects the brewery's practice of producing several beers modeled on established German categories.
German-style strong lager
Doppel Bock
A substantial German-style bock beer and one of Bayern's notable brands. Its label and advertising have used Montana landscape and wildlife imagery created by Monte Dolack.
German-style amber or dark lager
Dark Märzen
A darker Märzen-style beer included in Bayern's range of German beers. It extends the portfolio beyond pale lager and wheat beer while maintaining the company's traditional brewing orientation.
German-style strong lager
Maibock
A seasonal German-style bock associated with the traditional spring brewing calendar. Bayern has used Monte Dolack artwork on the product's label and promotional materials.
German-style seasonal lager
Oktoberfest
A seasonal beer linked to the German Oktoberfest tradition and Bayern's Bavarian brand identity. It is one of the brewery's recognized named products.
Beer · 2007
Dancing Trout
A Bayern beer introduced as the successor to the licensed Trout Slayer name. The rebranding was intended to reduce licensing costs and express the brewery's environmental values; the beer also supported trout and habitat conservation through its relationship with Trout Unlimited.
German restaurant · 2015
Edelweiss Bistro
Bayern's German-food restaurant in Missoula, opened in 2015. It serves dishes including käsespätzle, currywurst, schnitzel, and sauerkraut, extending the brewery's Bavarian hospitality concept beyond beer.
Marketing campaigns
- 2010Reusable bottle and eco-pack program
Missoula · Montana
Bayern promoted the return and reuse of its glass bottles through reusable cardboard eco-packs and a bottle-washing operation.
Outcome. Customers could receive a small discount for returning eligible bottles, while the brewery continued reusing glass and donating brewing waste to farmers.
- 2007Dancing Trout conservation positioning
Montana · United States
Bayern repositioned its former Trout Slayer beer as Dancing Trout and associated the new name with environmental preservation and trout habitat protection.
Outcome. Dancing Trout became an official beer sponsor of Montana's Trout Unlimited, with part of sales proceeds directed toward trout and habitat conservation.
Brand decisions
2017
Move into canned packagingStrategyBackground
Montana's revised craft-brewery rules created greater production headroom by increasing the former barrel limit.
Action taken
Bayern began canning its beer and introduced a 32-ounce crowler format.
Aftermath
The brewery gained additional packaging and distribution flexibility while remaining a regional producer.
2015
Expansion into German food serviceStrategyBackground
Bayern sought to broaden revenue sources and reinforce its Bavarian identity.
Action taken
The company opened Edelweiss Bistro in Missoula and added traditional German dishes to its offering.
Aftermath
The brewery's business expanded from beer production into a combined brewery, restaurant, and hospitality concept.
2007
Beer renamed from Trout Slayer to Dancing TroutGeneration changeBackground
The Trout Slayer name was leased, and the owner sought to avoid continuing licensing payments while giving the beer a name aligned with environmental values.
Action taken
Bayern phased in the Dancing Trout name and associated the product with trout conservation.
Aftermath
A separate beer using the Trout Slayer name and a different recipe was later released by Big Sky Brewing Company.
1991
Jürgen Knöller purchases Bayern BrewingM&ABackground
The founding owners decided to return to Germany after German reunification and sold the Missoula brewery.
Action taken
Bayern's master brewer Jürgen Knöller acquired the business and became its principal owner.
Aftermath
Knöller continued operating Bayern as an independent brewery centered on German-style beer and Montana hospitality.
Recent events
- 2017
Montana increases craft-brewery production limit[1]
Regulation
House Bill 541 raised Montana's craft-brewery production ceiling from 10,000 barrels to 60,000 barrels, giving Bayern Brewing additional room for production growth.
- 2017
Bayern Brewing begins canning beer and introduces crowlers[1]
Product launch · Other
The brewery began packaging beer in cans and introduced a 32-ounce crowler format.
- 2015
Edelweiss Bistro opens in Missoula[1]
Other
Bayern Brewing expanded into German food service by opening Edelweiss Bistro, a restaurant connected with the brewery's Bavarian positioning.
- 2007
Bayern Brewing changes Trout Slayer branding to Dancing Trout[1]
Product generation
The brewery phased out the licensed Trout Slayer name and introduced Dancing Trout, partly to avoid licensing costs and to associate the beer with environmental preservation.
Sources1 sources
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