Chiseled from the building’s original plaster, the state of Montana welcomes patrons to Katabatic’s authentic, friendly taproom.
In that little town with a wind problem, Katabatic Brewing Co. is the place where regular folks can get a really good beer.
There’s nothing pretentious about it. From the moment of entry, it’s clear that Katabatic in Livingston is all about the beer. There’s no big screen TV, no bumper pool table. Instead, the establishment is full of patrons enjoying their beverages, mostly caught up in lively, connective conversations with each other or the bartenders.
I’ve heard more than one person say that if you come in twice to Katabatic’s taproom, the staff will probably know your name.
That’s because this is a brewery that embodies the small town it lives in. First of all, the name Katabatic directly pays homage to one of the windiest municipalities in Montana. (Katabatic means a cold, downward wind current flowing from the higher elevations.) Second, there’s that no-nonsense, hardworking mindset that’s attracted miners, railroaders, fishermen, artists, and tourists to Livingston for over a hundred years.
This is all the interwoven vision of Katabatic owner Shawn Markman. He’s living proof that you can go from home brewing to the big leagues if you have a passion. From his early days at the Bozeman Brew Crew Club, he rapidly showed his best-of-show skills as a brewer and his unrelenting desire to get even better. “
“My rule back then was ‘I want your constructive criticism, and I need the bottle back,’” says the jovial Montanan with Arkansas roots.
At Katabatic, his focus is on “good unpretentious beer for everyone.” That means no less than nine offerings brewed on the premises, which was formerly the legendary Longbranch Saloon.
With motivated brewer and Katabatic veteran Ben Ward, they are utilizing what makes Montana one of the top brewing regions in the country—a rich supply of good grains, clean water, and helpful industry support—to carefully create their distinct brews. “Handmade with Hard Work” is the slogan on every glass and is something Ward says is achieved “all from the ground up, with the attention of Shawn, myself, and every server.”
The team is creating quite the fleet of dark beers, led by their Muzzleloader Mexican Chocolate Stout and Scotch Ale. Both earned the brewery’s most recent medals at the 2026 Montana Beer Awards.
Responding to the growing trend toward lighter lagers, Katabatic concentrates a third of its offerings on light beers, from the top-selling American Pale Ale to a new crisp Hook Set Cerveza. “Give me the lightest lager you have, and I’ll let you know if your brewer is making good beer,” Markman says of the challenge in making a good light.
In addition to winning awards for the beer, Katabatic is winning the trust of the community along the way. Chico Hot Springs Resort in Paradise Valley came to Katabatic to make their well-balanced Chico Pilsner, which is on tap year-round. Each summer, Follow Yer’ Nose BBQ in Emigrant adds to their Katabatic “Pig Sky” Series with a seasonal brew. And the brewery’s distribution of drafts, with the distinctive wooden handle, has spread across the region.
“They care. They really care about the beer they’re making,” says Taylor Henson, owner of Follow Yer’ Nose.
Still, Markman claims his biggest secret to the beer’s appeal has been his staff. Cohesive, knowledgeable, and engaged, they indeed relate. And they’re always there to welcome and chat, whether you’re a regular or a tourist.
Markman claims his biggest secret to the beer’s appeal has been his staff. Cohesive, knowledgeable, and engaged, they indeed relate. And they’re always there to welcome and chat, whether you’re a regular or a tourist.
“I grew up watching the TV show ‘Cheers,’” says Livingston resident and Katabatic Lifetime Mug Club member Jake McGlothlin. “This place is the closest to that experience. Good people. Good times.”
And sometimes, even good dogs.
Last December, Mojo, a beloved 18-year-old Jack-a-Poo owned by Katabatic regular Mark “Murph” Murphy, passed. Part movie star, part bowling and dart team mascot, and all-around Livingston and Katabatic icon, Mojo was celebrated in one of the taproom’s largest and most touching send-offs. Newspaper articles ensued.
Such are the ways of life in Livingston. And, in a place that may triple in size during the summer months, Markman is grateful for all the support from the town leadership itself. “They’ve done a really good job … for all the locally owned businesses that are just doing what they can to provide the best products they can,” he says.
And what is true so often in Livingston is true elsewhere. Hard work makes for some wonderful things.
Let the wind spread that.
