Matching mood and brewery.

by Morgan Solomon

Every now and then it’s good to treat yourself and some friends to a beer. But not just any old Bud-like brewskie from the Loaf ‘N Jug— I’m talking about a tasty, one-of-a-kind microbrew that quenches your thirst and satisfies your taste buds .  Lucky for us, Bozeman has several craft breweries, each with its own atmosphere and brewing style—so there’s something for every attraction and taste. Here’s one beer enthusiast’s guide to find what you’re looking for this winter season.

Comfy & Cozy
Located on the northeast side of town, Bozeman Brewing Company‘s tasting room and bar is a small, intimate establishment where you can sit back and enjoy a conversation—although you may have to  nudge noses to hear each other on a busy Friday night. You’ll find born-and-bred Bozemanites lining the bar chatting about the epic ski conditions or the killer lines they rode that morning . As for BBC’s beer, they have a variety of hops, malt, barley, and wheat combinations, but are best known for their Bozone Amber—a smooth, revitalizing beer that perfectly balances hops, barley, and malt.

Author’s choice: The Bozone Hefeweizen is a refreshingly light, unfiltered beer that brings a fruity taste to the table. I’ve heard people say they taste anything from cherries to bananas—I personally taste the bananas.

Bozeman Brewing Company’s local scene

Variable Vibes
Bozeman’s northern-most brewery, the 406 Brewing Company, is a nuevo-rustic joint with benches retrofitted from beams that  held up the Lehrkind’s Brewery before prohibition. This brewery has some irregular vibes, ranging from a quiet place to get some work done to a lively dance floor with a backdrop of local music. The beer is just as variable as the atmosphere, but you’ll always find a variety of lagers and American ales to satisfy a plethora of tastes.

Author’s choice: The JAMber Ale is a simple amber beer that doesn’t overpower you with sweetness or bitterness. I often think of vanilla or caramel after my first sip.

Its golden color makes 406′s Hop Punch IPA  look pretty tasty

Loud & Lively
Ah, my favorite: Bridger Brewing. Recently established, this brewery arguably makes the best-tasting beer in the valley—and it’s right next to campus. Although they’re known for their hoppy IPAs and Pale Ales—not to mention their pizza—Bridger offers several rotators and seasonal options. Its prime location makes it easy to wind down after a full day of classes or to meet up with friends to discuss the grueling chemistry test you just finished. Open seven days a week, this brewery is never empty and hosts a slew of musicians to satisfy those who enjoy a band with their beer.

Author’s choice: The Antilogy Black IPA is a dark beer with a hoppy side that fronts the rest of its flavor. It has a strong lemony aroma with a smooth aftertaste.

Try Bridger Brewing’s top-selling beer, the Vigilante IPA

Out of the Ordinary
To bring something new to your palate, head on over to the Lockhorn Cider House for some handcrafted hard cider. A friendly establishment on the east end of downtown, Lockhorn offers several flavors of cider, but those with a sweet-tooth beware: this cider is in its purest and simplest form—no unnecessary sugar added. As you sip your cider, enjoy the twang, pang, and strum of local musicians in the foyer most Wednesday and Thursday nights. Oh, and don’t forget to try their hot cider outside by the patio fireplace.

Author’s Choice: The Ginger Cider blends the spice of ginger and the tart, yet sweet side of an apple together into one drink— it will satisfy just about all your taste buds.

Lockhorn’s Ginger Cider ready to drink

Reversing the Streamline stereotype

by Felicia Hamilton

Sitting in the break room chatting with the new kid, I off-handedly mention my ride to work that morning. I get the typical reaction:  eyebrows raise, mouth quirks, and an incredulous query. “Really?” he asks. “How does that go?” It’s as if I told him I rode my bike in sub-zero temperatures,  hitchhiked, or rode a skateboard through the snow. But no, I just rode Bozeman’s fare-free bus, the Streamline. 

Photo by Ben Stolin

During the summer after graduation, I depended on the Streamline to get to and from my jobs on a daily basis. I’d occasionally used the bus in college, but always had a notion that the bus is for other people, and driving myself is somehow better.  After I used the Streamline regularly for a while, however, I realized two things: 1) most of my preconceptions about the Streamline were wrong, and 2) when I was proven wrong, I grew as a person.

One of my biggest misconceptions was about the people. I’d heard stories about public transportation involving unsavory characters—a common perception. Yes, some of them make me want to step away and avoid eye contact; but the majority of my fellow riders are just like you and I. We’re normal people who ride for different reasons, such as environmental responsibility, having no access to a vehicle, or to save money.

The Streamline’s bright interior

Another myth about public transit is that waiting around at a bus stop wastes precious time. I learned, though, that this dependence on the bus schedule—and being subject to its inconsistencies—actually improved my time-management skills. Not only did I become conscious of how long I spent on my daily tasks (if I didn’t, I might miss my ride), I also discovered that there is time to stop and smell the flowers along the way. I learned that if the bus were five minutes late, I could use that time to read a book, strike up a conversation with the person next to me, get a head-start on some work, or just enjoy a moment to myself outside.  I actually stopped rushing around, and learned to move at a slower, more consistent, pace. As they say, slow and steady wins the race.

How much of a hurry are you in?

After these and other similar experiences, I quickly realized that my assumptions about the bus had been mostly wrong. I also now understood that with a few adjustments to my routine and lifestyle, the Streamline had become an invaluable resource. By the end of the summer, I’d saved thousands of dollars by avoiding car payments, maintenance, fuel, insurance, registration, and parking permits. I reduced my carbon footprint and took an active step to help preserve the place that I love for future generations.

With all of the routes available—including the late-night service and routes to Belgrade and Livingston—it’s possible to get just about anywhere by riding the Streamline. A few minor inconveniences are overshadowed by everything it does for its passengers and for the community. At the end of the day, using the Streamline just makes sense—so I will happily continue to endure the raised eyebrows and questions. Because the Streamline is for everyone, not just other people.

For information about routes and schedules visit the Streamline’s website.

ASMSU fuels your fun with activity fees

by ASMSU

The Associated Students of Montana State University (ASMSU) is your student body government. Our mission is to be the voice of students and to provide diverse, student-oriented programs and services through responsible management of student activity fees.

ASMSU gives away new t-shirts for old ones

As elected officials, ASMSU executives and senators represent you, the student body. We strive to respond to your needs, concerns, and expectations to make your experience at Montana State an enjoyable one. Each student pays over $85 per semester to ASMSU, amounting to over $2 million annually. So Bobcats, we’ve got your money—over $650 in your four years at MSU (and even more if you really like school)—and I’m here to tell you, we do plenty of really cool stuff with it.

Your money pays for sweet trips like this

For instance, we have an Outdoor Recreation Program, which offers equipment rental, group outings, instructional classes, a resource center, bicycle and ski workshops, and more. Check out montana.edu/outdoorrecreation for info. We also fund the Leadership Institute (which brings in speakers such as climber Conrad Anker) and the Sustainability Center, which runs the campus recycling program and works to make our campus more sustainable. We fund the KGLT Radio Station at 91.9 FM and the student newspaper, the Exponent. We are the largest community supporter of the Streamline Bus and fully run the late-night buses on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday nights to get you downtown and home safely. We have the Exit Gallery, which is a student-run art gallery, and the Procrastinator movie theater, both in the SUB. We also offer affordable daycare, legal services, and tutoring.

ASMSU helps the Sustainability Center make a difference

So make sure to utilize ASMSU services— you’re paying for it! And get involved by working in one of our programs or representing your peers as a senator. Finally, I invite you to come to our office with suggestions, complaints, concerns, or even just to chat. We’re in SUB 221, directly next to the Ask Us desk. You can also e-mail us at [email protected]

Making connections through the power of music.

by Johnny Certo

My stomach migrated up my throat and my hands shook as I sat down with my mandolin. I tried my best to keep up, but I was clearly outclassed. The group — half a dozen toe-tapping musicians with banjos, a stand-up bass, a mandolin, a guitar, and a set of harmonicas — were patient, though, and every Thursday they taught me the ways of the open jams. I learned when to harmonize, how to lead a jam, and how to designate solos. Within a few months I had found a new passion — one that I could not get enough of.  I not only felt connected to the music, but to a group of people whom I barely knew before.

Learning the open jam

Since I moved  to Bozeman, I’ve found several locations around town that provide the same opportunity to jam. One of my favorites, Pub 317,  holds an old-time bluegrass session every Tuesday starting at 7:30 pm.  Playing here is exciting because the elevated stage allows you to see your whole audience from front to back — it’s as if you got hired to do the gig.  This is a popular place and many musicians bring their talent, but that shouldn’t deter you from picking up your 6-string and jumping up on stage. My first time playing here, the enthusiasm of the crowd and the energy of our makeshift band swept aside my nerves and anxiety. A combination of the ambiance of the bar, the jive of the dancers, and the encouragement from my fellow jammers swept through my body and made me feel confident and alive.

Bluegrass jam at 317

Also consider checking out the Eagles Lodge every Wednesday and the last Saturday of the month at 9pm for their open-mic night. Regardless of one’s skill and familiarity with instruments, it’s a great place to practice in front of an exuberant crowd. The stage sits adjacent to a large dance floor often populated by swing-dancing couples. You’ll be amazed at how the simple act of playing music invigorates people (yourself included) and allows them to connect with those who would otherwise remain strangers.

Open mic at the Eagles

The Haufbrau puts on three open-mic nights per week: Sunday, Monday, and Wednesday, all at 10pm.  Stop by and sign up for a chance to showcase your talents or just practice in front of a very tolerant crowd. Playing here is an excellent way to make new friends and meet musicians who are just looking for a chance to practice in front of an audience. The bar is  also frequented by local musicians — you may just find yourself playing alongside a hometown favorite.

Haufbrau Jam

So grab a guitar,  banjo, or even a tambourine and find people to play with.  Head downtown in search of an open-mic or gather a few friends on your front porch. Create the music that makes you sing, dance, and forget your cares. Whether it’s a quick session with your roommates between classes, or an extended set with the locals at Pub 317, the music you’ll create will provide an avenue through which the worries and troubles of the outside world are blown away.

Jamming at home

Explaining Bozeman’s playground

by Phil Knight

Why go all the way to Glacier Park for high, rugged mountains when you can get into serious high country less than an hour from your door? Just south of Bozeman lies one of the world’s greatest multisport mountain playgrounds. In Hyalite Canyon and the surrounding peaks, you can pretty much do it all.

This has long been the go-to place for locals seeking their mountain fix. But Hyalite has matured from a place to shoot old televisions, cut firewood, and get your truck stuck to a sophisticated adventure Mecca. Motorized recreation has been scaled back in favor of human-powered pursuits and wildlife conservation. Thanks to effective winter road plowing, what used to be a mess of stuck rigs and frozen ruts is now a fairly easy drive.

You want wildlife, Hyalite’s got it—even wolves and grizzly bears are making a comeback here in the north end of the Gallatin Range. Mountain goats and bighorn sheep skitter across ridge tops, golden eagles ride the thermals, moose lurk in the deep woods, and coyotes cruise for stray poodles.

Though Hyalite is close enough to Bozeman for great day tripping, you can also pitch your tent or park your camper at Langhor, Hood Creek, or Chisholm campgrounds. Or, if you prefer a fully equipped cabin, reserve the Window Rock or Maxey cabins—both accessible by car in the summer or easy approach on showshoe or ski in the winter.

Brim-full early in the summer, the reservoir is a paradise for boaters seeking still water. Stand-up paddleboarders look like lost surfers, families putt along in overloaded outboards bristling with fishing poles and dogs, and couples enjoying evening picnics paddle by canoe or kayak. Hardy scuba divers train in the chilly depths of the snowmelt-fed water and boaters jump ship to take a cool swim—just watch the sunken stumps. There’s great fishing year-round, and in winter, ice fishers set up shop on the frozen tabletop. More remote lakes beckon from the backcountry, offering awesome lakeside camping and fishing.

Palisade Falls

While quality rock is limited in Hyalite, a few crags offer some fine routes for rock jocks. Despite its diminutive size, Practice Rock has variety and challenge enough for days of climbing, and Crocodile Rock offers quieter but more awkward crack climbs. Come winter, the climbing opportunities expand to one of the world’s great ice and mixed-route destinations. From humble WI2 flows like Greensleeves to multi-pitch rock and ice epics like Winter Dance, you can find a lifetime of ice in Hyalite.

Ice Climbing in Hyalite

Hyalite’s trail system is legendary and offers anything from an easy stroll to weeklong expeditions through the heart of a 500,000-acre roadless area. Throw in heaps of spectacular waterfalls, like Grotto, Palisade, and Horsetail, and it’s hard to find more classic hikes. Epic mountain biking also awaits, with favorite rides including History Rock trail into South Cottonwood Canyon, the East Fork trail to Emerald Lake, and the easier West Shore Trail along Hyalite Reservoir.

Skiing through Hyalite just keeps getting better

 Ski-trail grooming has expanded every winter lately, and now there are enough quality Nordic ski trails to keep you coming back every winter weekend. Call the posse and assemble some avalanche gear, and you can ski from a 10,000-foot peak almost any time of year. I’ve skied Blackmore in late June and snowboarded it by full moon in December.

 Grab some buddies and go for a late summer evening paddle. Load the bikes and grind up some steep switchbacks. Sharpen the tools and swing for all you’re worth on a giant popsicle. Clean the gun and don the camo and creep deep into the woods to fill the freezer with a year’s supply of elk. No matter what you’re after, you can probably find it in Hyalite.

A guide to Bozeman’s coffee and tea shops.

by Morgan Solomon

With so many coffee shops in town, it can be overwhelming to decide where to get the drink you’re looking for. Here is a simple guide to get you started.

STRAIGHT-UP BLACK
So, you like your coffee black, cowboy? Do you prefer the kind that’s strong enough to make a horseshoe stand upright and your lips pucker? Perhaps you have a craving for a coffee with hints of cinnamon or chocolate to awaken your taste buds? Stop at Zocalo or International Coffee Traders for a cup-o’-joe to ease the stress of school and perk up the cranium. Both shops offer coffee from all over the world. Roasted in small batches, the warm coffee flavor is preserved for your enjoyment.

Zocalo Coffee

Hot tip: Café M offers a weekly house blend from Ghost Town Coffee Roasters that you can’t get anywhere else.

Author’s choice: Sumatra Tano Batak (nutmeg, toffee, and chocolate brownie) from Zocalo.

SOMETHING SWEET
Craving desert after dinner or a delicious reward for studying hard? Check out the Leaf & Bean for their lattés, mochas and hot chocolates. Don’t forget to glance at the specials board  for their specialty drinks. Need a little spice with your sugar? Wild Joe’s has a unique selection of chai lattés with various proportions of sugar and spice.

It tastes even better than it looks.

Hot tip: If you find yourself at International Coffee Traders try the London Fog. It’s to die for.

Author’s choice: Red Velvet Mocha from the Leaf & Bean.

TEA
Need something that’s less harsh on the pearly whites or  just more of a tea person? Check out Townshend’s Tea Company. No matter what you’re looking for, their assortment of teas will satisfy your taste buds. Need caffeine to keep you awake? Ask for the yerba máte. If you need something to calm the body and soul, try one of the non-caffeinated herbal or apothecary teas.  Need help in the flavor department? Licorice and sarsaparilla are sweeter teas, while black and green teas from China and Japan bear bitter and raw flavors.   Looking for something entirely different? Townshend’s employees will help you find the exact tea to curb your thirst.

Some of the many teas at Townshend’s Tea Company

Hot tip: Wild Joe’s has a good selection of teas too, although not a varied as Townshend’s.

Author’s choice: Sweet Chamomile Mint (herbal) from Townshend’s Tea.

Sweet Chamomile Mint tea

MEAL & COFFEE

While many coffee shops provide pastries and cookies to go with your coffee, sometimes you need a pick-me-up with your midday meal. Sola Café and Rockford Coffee Roasters offer spectacular lunches for a relatively cheap price. Sandwiches, salads and desert are all on the menu with your choice of medium or dark roast coffee.

Hot Tip: Sola also has a special house blend from Ghost Town Coffee Roasters that you can’t get anywhere else.

Author’s Choice: Bolivia Amor Des Dios medium roast (not always available) from Sola.

Coffee Shop Locations:

Café M: 777 East Main
International Coffee Traders: 720 South 10th
Leaf & Bean: 117 East Main
Rockford Coffee Roasters: 628 West Main
Sola Café: 290 West Kagy
Townshend’s Tea Company: 402 East Main
Wild Joe’s: 18 West Main

Returning to the Museum of the Rockies as a college student.

by Maggie Hickman

Growing up in less than a block from the Museum of the Rockies (MoR), I was somewhat of a fixture at this world-class institution. I never got sick of looking at the seemingly endless collection of fossils and artifacts, not to mention the triceratops sculpture that roared when it sensed movement. (Whatever happened to that thing, anyway? It would provide the perfect homey touch to my rundown rental house.) Then I entered middle school, and immediately became too cool to learn about the rich and dynamic history of my state. I was more interested in re-watching The Lizzie McGuire Movie for the umpteenth time than learning about the newest paleontological discovery by Jack Horner. (Fun fact: Jack Horner was the scientific adviser for all three Jurassic Park films.)

“Big Mike”  guards the museum entrance

Recently some free tickets landed in my lap, and I decided it was time to return to MoR after my extended hiatus. To bring things full-circle, I brought my mom. As soon as we parked, I threw open the car door and skipped to the front doors. Yes, it was as if I was a kid again, with my mom following close behind.

Giving the clerk our tickets, I pondered the best placement for my admission sticker, then promptly  peeled off the back and slapped it on my forehead.  My mom rolled her eyes. “Are you going to wear that the whole time? Maybe we should get you a stroller so I can keep track of you, too,” she teased.

Fossils in the Hall of Teeth and Hornes

Wandering into the featured exhibit, “Geckos—Tails to Toepads,”  I immediately found myself captivated, stopping at every display. I read each gecko’s informational blurb in its entirety, and viewed each species from all angles of their glass enclosure. (Fun fact: Many geckos have “disposable” tails that can be released in an attack.  The broken tail wriggles to distract the predator and muscles around the wound quickly seal torn blood vessels while the lizard escapes.)

Day Gecko

Meandering from one gecko species to the next, my mom and I  conversed about evolution and whether or not Charles Darwin had written anything on geckos.  We even tried in vain to explain to one another the complex science of how geckos obtained their colors and camouflage.

It wasn’t all adult talk and pretentious references to On the Origin of Species, however.  At one point I squealed, “Mom! Look!  This one has polka dots!” (Spotted animals are cool at any age.)   It was nearly impossible not to feed off the enthusiasm of the awe-inspired children, who were as psyched about a Native American “metate” (essentially a big rock used for grinding grain and seeds) as they were about the hyperactive gecko making gravity-defying leaps from branch to branch.

Kids and adults enjoy the gecko exhibit

Whether time really does make the heart grow fonder, or my mind had been opened by additional schooling,  I found myself appreciating the  lizards for more than just their pretty colors and their acrobatic ability to hang upside-down on branches. I could now acknowledge the properties and natural processes that create such a unique organism. Chemistry, physics, and evolution—to name a few—all had a part in the gecko’s creation. Wow, Mother Nature is truly impressive.

Some of the many types of gecko scales

Overall, my little jaunt to the Museum of the Rockies was not only a great way to spend an afternoon, it made me realize how I’d taken the place for granted.  How many people can walk across the street and find themselves face-to-face with a fossilized dinosaur rib taller than the average person?  Yep, we’re pretty damn lucky to have MoR in Bozeman, and this time, I won’t forget it.

Leg and rib bones of a Sarapod (Brontosaurus)

“Tails to Toepads” is one of the Museum’s rotating exhibits, and will only be on display until September 7, 2014.  The museum also includes permanent exhibits on dinosaurs, regional and American Indian history, a children’s discovery center about Yellowstone, a living history farm, and the Taylor Planetarium, which features one of the world’s most advanced projection technologies. For more information visit museumoftherockies.org.

Insight into the MSU Convocation Committee’s selection for 2014

by Isaac Lorton

It’s not easy for someone to inspire nearly 3,000 first-year college students. It’s not easy to speak at the MSU Fieldhouse in front of 7,250 people. But, it was easy for the Montana State Convocation Committee to choose this year’s speaker, Shiza Shahid. Shahid, a 24-year-old Stanford graduate and education activist, embodies everything the Convocation Committee desires.

For example, committee chair David Singel explains, “The combination of valor to [defend education] and… someone the same age as the students was really exciting to us.”

During her studies at Stanford, Shahid, a native of Islamabad, began to closely follow Malala Yousafzai. She lived in Mingora, just north of where Shahid grew up. Malala spoke out for formal education of women as many female institutions were destroyed and girls barred from schools. Malala blogged about the oppression under a pseudonym for BBC News and publicly defied the Taliban by protesting the bombings of female schools and the murders of their students.

While on break from Stanford, Shahid arranged a young womens’ conference for 30 girls, including Malala. The covert meeting was to discuss the continued promotion of female education; as a result, the two young women became close friends and remained in contact after the conference ended.

Before they became international activists, they were friends

In 2012, Malala’s school bus was stopped by a Taliban member who asked for Malala by name then shot her in the head. She was flown to England for extensive treatment, where Shahid rushed to her support. Despite her injuries, Malala survived and remained committed to spreading her message of education for all. Shahid immediately began managing the media frenzy while Malala recovered, becoming the co-founder and CEO of the Malala Fund, an international organization that promotes female education. Since then, Shahid has been named on TIME and Forbes magazines’ “30-under-30″ lists, as a young adult making an international impact.

The story of Malala and Shahid will make students and community members think about how important education is and the opportunities MSU students have—and why they shouldn’t take them for granted.

Shiza Shahid will speak on August 25 at the Brick Breeden Fieldhouse

“We want [the message to be], ‘Let’s think seriously about education. Let’s think about what you want to be doing here for the next four years,’” Singel said. “We want the students to understand all of the opportunities available to them. [The convocation] will sharpen the focus and deepen the appreciation for education.”

The committee also invited local nonprofit organizations to attend the event to promote MSU students becoming involved in the Bozeman community.

“This is a community event,” Singel said. “It is an event, where we as a university, and as the Bozeman community, are welcoming the students to Bozeman and to MSU.”

The Malala Fund advocates female education and empowerment

Shahid demonstrates the world’s diminishing cultural boundaries as she, a Pakistani female, is the CEO of an international nonprofit.

As Malala said, “Education is neither eastern nor western. Education is education and it’s the right of every human being.”

The 2014 freshman  convocation is a public event and everyone is welcome. It will be held on August 25 at 7:30 pm. For ticket information visit montana.edu/convocation.