Today, I share a story sent to me by Ken Bates of Boise Brew Blog. It’s been about eight years since I went beer touring in Boise, so it’s nice to have the perspective of someone who actually knows what they’re talking about. Boise Beer Buddies is a pretty cool deal. You sign up to be a buddy, and you get discounts at participating locations. Find out more here.
In the meantime, here’s some advice for beer touring in Boise.
Boise Craft Beer: Taprooms and Breweries Worth Your Time
Guest post provided by Ken Bates, Boise Brew Blog
Boise’s craft beer scene has grown into something far more interesting than most outsiders might expect. What started as a handful of local breweries back in the 90’s has evolved into a wide mix of taprooms. The Boise area has brewpubs, beer bars, and neighborhood hangouts — each with its own personality and loyal following. From downtown staples pouring long-running flagship beers to smaller spots experimenting with obscure European styles, mixed fermentation, and hop-forward trends, the Boise/Garden City area offers a diverse beer experience packed into a relatively small area. Whether you’re a longtime local or just passing through town, there’s no shortage of memorable places to grab a pint in Boise.
I get asked all the time who makes the best beer in town. Honestly, that’s never an easy question to answer. It usually depends on the mood, the weather, or just what style I’m after that day. Some spots nail crisp lagers, others shine with hop-heavy IPAs or big stouts. So instead of trying to crown one (or five) “best” breweries, here are a few local favorites I keep coming back to, broken down by category.
Lots of options
Breweries like Bert’s Brewing in East Garden City, Boise Brewing downtown, and Loose Screw, a few miles west in Meridian, have terrific beer top to bottom, with a somehow professional feel about them. Open, brightly lit taprooms, visible brewing equipment, and usually a busy, bustling atmosphere. The latter has a terrific “resident” food truck, “Big Beantz Tacos.” Clean, polished, fresh beers appealing to a range of customer tastes, if perhaps a bit mainstream. You won’t find many experimental “wild hairs” on tap there.
If uncommon, eccentric, or downright bizarre is a bit more to your liking, don’t miss Barbarian Brewing. Barbarian has a downtown “Beer Bar,” but their taproom at the brewing facility in Garden City is a destination. A very popular spot with a terrific patio area, regular food trucks, and just a block or two from the Greenbelt. Specializing in sours and barrel-aged beers, it’s virtually guaranteed that they will have several items there you’ve never heard of. Or maybe even thought possible. Tyler at Schmidt’s Kellerbier in East Garden City focuses on traditional European lagers, if you like that mild, clean, smooth German stuff. Or even if you don’t….he still does.
More than just Beer
There are also a couple of meaderies, both in West Garden City. Mythic Mead (pictured) has been around for 10 years, and Noble Mead opened just this past spring.
Mythic, I’d maybe say, is a bit more traditional and Noble, a bit more experimental in their offerings. So if you’ve got money for honey and feel the need for Mead and don’t mind the medieval and Nordic theme and paraphernalia, you’re covered there.
If you’re more of a “cork dork” and malt and hops don’t move the needle for you, Garden City has several wine tasting rooms. Most are conveiently arraged withing walkin (staggering?) distance of each other. Telaya and LaizeeFair on the Greenbelt and Proletariat, and Coiled in the east end towards Boise proper. A mile or so west along Chinden Blvd are Veer and Cinder. Maybe not as glamorous as touring the countryside from estate to estate, but you can’t argue about the efficiency of being able to hit a few of them in one afternoon.
If you are looking for packaged beer to go, there is Homebrewstuff in Garden City and Brewer’s Haven on Vista. Homebrew supply shops that also have the best selection of local, regional, and international imports in the area. Both spots have a taplist as well for pints at the bar or growlers to go.
Local Small Businesses
Personally, I’d have to say that for a pint after work, my affection for the small local operators gets most of my business. I just love it when the server is also often the person who made the beer. Maybe partnering with a family member, scraping by, doing what they love, and just making it work. Gem State Brewing in nearby Eagle, ID is one. Check out my earlier article on their recent 2-year anniversary.
A couple more are Ruckus Brewing, and, of course, Brown Beard, with his pirate-themed taproom and an active live music venue attached. All are good options with a small-business character, and their bars are usually populated with loyal locals.
If you are visiting for the weekend, or more, or just passing through and staying for the night, you’ve got plenty of great beer options in Boise/Garden City. The area also has a somewhat exclusive “club” of sorts called Boise Beer Buddies. Signing up for 20$ for the year gets you various discounts at participating breweries, bars, cafes, etc., all over the area. It’s local businesses helping local businesses, and yours truly is a VIP “lifetime” member.
Welcome to the Boise Craft Beer scene. Check out some fun spots and ping me if you’re in town, happy to join you for a beverage.
Guest post provided by Ken Bates, Boise Brew Blog
