I Tried the Beer Made From Montana Black Bear Poop — Here’s What Happened

Right before the Super Bowl, one of the strangest beer stories you’ll ever hear started making national headlines.  

Breakside Brewery in Portland, Oregon, teamed up with Columbia Sportswear to create a beer using — believe it or not — Montana black bear poop.

Yes. Actual Montana black bear poop.  

How a Portland Brewery Used Bear Poop

According to a press release, the brewery was provided with some black bear droppings sourced from Montana that were “infused” into water from the Bull Run River before it was processed to make it safe to drink.   

The beer was only available in Portland, which means most of us here in Montana could only read about it and wonder what it tastes like. But once Dry January wrapped up, curiosity got the best of me. I reached out to some friends in Portland to see if there was any possible way to track some down.  

READ MORE: This Unusual Beer Uses Bear Poop From Montana

After all, as a Montanan, how could I not try a beer connected to Montana black bears?  

A few weeks later, thanks to some very helpful friends, a few cans finally made their way to my house. I’ll admit — there was some hesitation before that first sip.  

But I went for it. And honestly? It’s not a bad beer.  

READ MORE: This Montana Mining Town Created One of the World’s Strongest Drinks

The brewery says the flavor picks up hints of huckleberry and honey based on the bears’ natural diet here in Montana. Now, I won’t pretend my palate is refined enough to pick out tasting notes like that, but I can tell you this: it’s a light, easy-drinking beer. Coming in at about 4.2% alcohol, it’s smooth and not overly bitter — the kind of beer you could easily enjoy more than one. I’ve definitely tasted worse beers.

Why This Beer Went Viral Nationwide

If the unusual origin story is the gimmick that gets people to try it, well…the gimmick works. It made national news and convinced someone three states away to hunt it down just for the experience.  

Could Montana Breweries Try Something Similar?

Unfortunately, since it’s brewed exclusively in Portland, this may be a one-time adventure for me. But it does offer a lesson for Montana breweries: sometimes all it takes is a creative idea — or a very unusual one — to get people talking and trying something new.  

And yes, I’ll definitely keep being adventurous when it comes to trying new beers.