Bar 3 Bar-B-Q & Brewing (Belgrade)

Stopped in for some BBQ with our beers. Doesn't look like much from the outside, but the interior is decked out with faily modern design. More taps than I was expecting, all good. Service was prompt. BBQ very good also.

This is the original - there is already a second location in Bozeman proper. The advertising outside makes no mention of "Brewing" until you reach the door. Parking in a gravel lot with a "park at your own risk" sign. Walk in the back way like entering a country house. Smallish inside, a number of dining tables and a bar area. Not super busy on a Tuesday night. Foo menu is about the meat, and includes burnt ends, which are always a pleasant find -- so many places don’t carry them. 10 taps, and as seems to be the norm here, flights of four 4 oz pours available, here for only $4. Service was prompt, friendly and attentive. Brewing equipment on display through windows behind the bar - staff confirmed that all beers are brewed onsite.

OK, here’s the deal, if you want to open a successfull BBQ & beer joint there are three things you need to do well. Here is my report card:

(1) Smoke meat. This is the core of your business. Pluses for burnt ends on the menu and for the pulled pork being lean and the fries being crispy. Minus for a lack of deep smoky character. Overall: B

(2) Make, or provide, quality BBQ sauce. They offer four house-made sauces; Original, Spicy, Tennessee and I forgot the other. None are particularly good. The regular is too sweet, the spicy is not spicy enough. Overall: C

(3) Brew decent beer. This here is a problem. None of the four beers I tried were good. Think aspirin IPA and tire fire scotch ale. Overall: D

Bummer.