There is a lot of energy in the air when the weather is warm in Montana. Every moment gets appreciated to the fullest in the Treasure State because of the long, sunny days and high temperatures.

Every region of Montana celebrates each ray of the summertime with plenty of outdoor fun, and enjoying delicious food and drink is no exception. Pull up a chair under the stars on the patio at the taproom and sip on your local brew. The first places to go if you want to go to the Last Best Place.

Farm-to-table dining

The photo is of Garett Thompson and Maison.

Between abundant produce and farm-fresh meat, Montana has always been a fan of the local diet. It is easier than ever to find restaurants that serve menu items inspired by Montana farmers.

Maison | Helena

Maison is a French bistro with roots in Montana. You will learn how to make dishes from ingredients grown at the farm. If you sign up for the five-course chef's tasting experience, you'll get to see his creative mind and precise kitchen execution.

Local Kitchen & Bar | Billings

Local spotlights its community. The owners of the restaurant created a local board of agriculture in order to connect with nearby gardeners. Summer is a great time to enjoy fruits and vegetables grown within a few miles of the city.

Central Feed Grilling Company | Lewistown

This upscale spot is called "Montana's central gathering place" because of its authentic Montana hospitality. The produce and meat at Central Feed Grilling Co. is always local. The restaurant is located in the old Central Feed Mercantile building.

Prerogative Kitchen | Red Lodge

At this casual a la carte eatery, it's important to be sustainable. Prerogative Kitchen uses eco-friendly to-go containers and cloth napkins in order to cut down on waste. The rotating chalkboard menu shows you how fresh and local the food is.

Streatery Food Truck | Havre

You might expect to see a food truck in a bigger city, but Streatery is right in the middle of it all. There are a lot of fresh, local, and organic choices to choose from, and the food is always delicious.

Patio dining

There is a casino in Miles City.

The outdoor dining season is brief in the state, but it has done well. You can get the whole package if you claim a spot on one of the patios.

Tilt Würks Brew House & Casino | Miles City

Freshly grilled burgers, beer and food await you at this casual eastern Montana pub. There is a fire pit on the patio at Tilt Wrks. You will definitely feel lucky to get a seat here, so why not try your luck at the casino?

Thirsty Turtle | Big Timber

This mountain-town burger and BBQ joint has a statewide reputation for its bold BBQ flavors. The family friendly atmosphere is just as inviting as the tables on the porch. Thirsty Turtle has a full bar to help you find the right burger.

Windbag Saloon & Grill | Helena

Since it was built in the late 19th century, this spot has had many hats on. Windbag Saloon & Grill is a great place to grab a plate full of pub fare. You can enjoy it all on the patio overlooking the walking mall.

Murphy’s Pub | Havre

Do you want to hang out with locals? Since opening in 2007, this neighborhood focal point has become a favorite. On warm summer days the patio is the place to be, while the kitchen is open late into the night. Start your table with a one-pound basket of fries seasoned to your specifications and you'll be good to go.

Craft beverages

The photo was taken at the Busted Knuckle Brewery in Glasgow.

The craft beer scene in Montana has never been more exciting, and summer is the perfect time to get a taste of it. Do you not like beer? Freshly distilled liquors and tasty non-alcoholic concoctions can be found in many craft cocktail joints. You will want to check out some of the under-the- radar wineries in Montana.

Backslope Brewing | Columbia Falls

Backslope Brewing is located in the northwest part of the state. You can grab a seat at one of the outdoor picnic tables in the summer to sip a cold one and drink in the fresh Montana air.

Smelter City Brewing | Anaconda

A small city with a rich mining history is where this brewery is located. The wide array of beers will draw you in and the beer garden will entice you to stay for a while.

Tongue River Winery | Miles City

The winery was founded by a pastor who wanted to make good wine. It is one of the few wineries in Montana that only makes wine from grapes and other fruit grown in the state. What did the result look like? There are a lot of award winning wines. They won two silvers at the International Cold Climate Wine Competition.

Busted Knuckle Brewery | Glasgow

One of the places that is worth a visit is Busted Knuckle Brewery. The brewery is located in Glasgow, in Montana's northeast corner, and has a reputation that spans far past city limits.

Enbär Craft Cocktail Lounge | Great Falls

The cocktail lounge in Great Falls is beautiful. Enbr is a great date night spot with handcrafted cocktails, fine wines, and small plates.

Crawford Distillery | Havre

There are three words. bootleggers brought liquor from Canada to the city of Havre and the Milk River during the 19th century. Crawford Distillery is owned by a husband and wife team. Their tasting room has award-winning spirits such as vodka made from red wheat, which has a light, crisp flavor that may surprise you.

Farmers markets

The photo was taken in Montana.

You can find a farmers market in Montana during the summer. You'll be able to see all the locally raised meats, fresh produce, and hand-crafted goodies. Some of the best spots are listed.

Hamilton Farmers Market | Hamilton

The market takes over historic downtown Hamilton on Saturdays. You can spend a sunny day at the farmers market and support local businesses.

Red Lodge Farmers Market | Red Lodge

The market is held in Lions Park on Saturdays from June to September. There are a lot of local offerings, from veggies to beef. Some of the state's top vendors can be found at this market.

Helena Farmers Market | Helena

Summer means double-time for the farmers market, which takes place on Saturdays from April to October. There is a second market on Tuesdays from 3 to 6pm. While being serenaded by live music and teased by the scent of freshly popped kettle corn, local farmers, food vendors, and artisans bring lots of Montana-made goodies for shoppers to enjoy.

Montanans are proud of their heritage and the places where they grow food, and it shows in the summer. Wine is made from grapes. The meatballs were made from local beef. You can sit on the patio with your friends or family. Learning a lesson in making the most of every moment is what summer in Montana is like. Thank you to that.