Mark | Montana Ale Works

Montana Ale Works was founded by Mark and Christin Taché (with Pete Hendrickson and Steve Shuel) seven years after the couple founded MacKenzie River Pizza Co., a then-handcrafted, wood-fired pizza place that exploded Bozeman’s downtown restaurant scene with artisan pies, hand-hewn ambiance, and a passionate service culture. The community's need for a casual-upscale, restaurant, bar and gathering place led to the birth of Montana Ale Works in 2000, spearheading the revitalization of Bozeman's historic East End, and raising the bar yet again for casual dining in the Gallatin Valley. The Taché’s role is to steer conceptual design and growth, guide employee training and management decisions, govern marketing and promotions (Christin), and finances (Mark), and collaborate with Roth and Sean on menu design and development. Their philosophy is grounded in teamwork and open, honest communication gleaned from their lifetime in sports. Both are former world-class ski racers. Christin is a 1984 Olympic silver medalist, 1982 triple World Championship medalist, five-time World Cup winner, six-time National champion & 30-year broadcast TV expert analyst. Mark is an eight-year U.S. Ski Team and World Cup tour veteran who competed in two World Championships before racing head-to-head for seven years on the US Pro Tour. “Restaurants weren’t part of any grand scheme,” says Mark of their four concepts, three in Montana, one in California. “We wanted to see if what we'd learned from sports had practical applications in the real world. We knew the value of systems, team-building, high goals and standards, and from our travel, we appreciated the solace and fellowship of great food and service.” “It’s a work in progress,” says Christin. “Staying ahead of the curve is an ethic we got from skiing. We listen to people who know more than us, which is pretty much everyone,” she laughs. “Developing, inspiring and guiding people is what we’re all about,” adds Mark.