Tuesday, January 20, 2026

IDAHO BREWERIES: 2025 IN REVIEW

 

IDAHO BREWERIES: A LOOK BACK AT 2025: NEW BREWERIES REPLACING OLD BREWERIES

 

 By Bob Hubler

In 1888, there were 33 different Breweries in the State of Idaho, which were the most breweries that were open in the state at one time prior to prohibition.


 Although National Prohibition started in 1919, Idaho started their own state wide prohibition in 1916. There were no breweries in Idaho from 1916 to 1934.


 A few breweries came back in Idaho after 1934 when prohibition was lifted, but by 1961, they were all gone. The last one to close was the Bohemian Brewery in Boise. 


Idaho was without any breweries until Tim Batt started the first modern brewery in 1984.  He called it Snake River Brewing.  


Idaho had more than 33 breweries for the first time in history in 2014.  Eleven new breweries opened in 2014 bringing the total of active Idaho breweries to 41.


Idaho hit an all time high with 101 active breweries in January 2024.  It was downhill from there with 24 Idaho Breweries closing and only 7 breweries opening in 2024. 

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When I started writing this blog in 2013, it was to add a narrative to my List of Idaho Breweries website.  There were only 31 breweries in Idaho in 2013.  Idaho had 45 breweries that opened between 1984 and 2013, but 14 had closed in that time.  It only took 11 years for Idaho to get to 101 active breweries.  It will a long time till Idaho ever approaches 100 active breweries again.

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Idaho began 2025 with 83 breweries!  Four breweries closed in 2025 and two breweries opened which leaves Idaho with 81 Breweries at the end of 2025.  Three breweries plan to open in the first part of 2026.

The recent breweries that have opened and plan to open in Idaho have  one thing in common:  They have all opened or plan to open in prior brewery locations!

  • Ruckus Brewing opened in the former Loose Screw Garden City location
  • Westwood Brewing opened in the former Selkirk Abbey Brewery in Post Falls
  • The Martlet opened in the former Star Route location in Pocatello
  • Knucklehead Brewing opened in the former Mad Bomber Brewing location in Hayden
  • Belmont Brewhouse opened in the former Twisted District location in Garden City
  • Mountains Walking Brewery in Bozeman, Montana plans to open an Idaho location in the old Laughing Dog Brewery in Ponderay
  • Wild Frontier Beer Project will open in the Mad Swede Brewery location in Boise in 2026
  • Gather Brewing out of Texas will open in the Spring Creek Brewing location in Avonmore in 2026
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WELCOME THE NEW IDAHO BREWERIES




146  Knucklehead Brewing in Haydon
 



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147  Belmont Brewing

The


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GOODBYE TO THE IDAHO BREWERIES THAT CLOSED IN 2025

Laughing Dog Brewing 2005 - 2025

Sun Valley Brewing 1968 - 2025 Story

Spring Creek Brewing 2020  - 2025 BoiseBrewBlog story

Mad Swede Brewing 2016 - 2025 BoiseBrewBlog story

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The     










IDAHO BREWERIES THAT PLAN TO OPEN IN 2026

Wild Frontier Brewing Project






This new brewery will take over the former Mad Swede location. 


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Mountains Walking Brewing - Ponderay

The


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Gather Brewing - Boise











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MISCELLANEOUS IDAHO BREWING NEWS


Western Collective Update

Is Western Collective on the Move?
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Payette Brewing Update

Payette Brewing production has returned to Idaho from a short stop at Upslope Brewing in Colorado.  Mother Earth Brewing in Nampa will handle of the brewing for Payette Brewing in 2026.
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Loose Screw Brewing Update

Loose Screw will close their McMillan location and concentrate their resources at their new downtown Meridian location.
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Brown Beard Brewing & Noble Meadery Update


Brown Beard will close their original Garden City location.  Their focus will now be on their new larger location in Garden City.  The original location will continue on as a taphouse and meadery.  Noble Meadery will make mead and braggot.



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CHECK OUT BOISEBREWBLOG



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RETURN TO  LIST OF IDAHO BREWERIES
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RETURN TO BOISEBEERCULTURE.COM.

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Monday, January 13, 2025

IDAHO BREWERIES: 2024 IN REVIEW


IDAHO BREWERIES: A LOOK BACK AT 2024: A  DISASTER FOR IDAHO BREWERIES

 

 By Bob Hubler

In 1888, there were 33 different Breweries in the State of Idaho, which were the most breweries that were open in the state at one time prior to prohibition.


 Although National Prohibition Started in 1919, Idaho started their own state wide prohibition in 1916. There were no breweries in Idaho from 1916 to 1934.


 A few breweries came back in Idaho after 1934 when prohibition was lifted, but by 1961, they were all gone. The last one to close was the Bohemian Brewery in Boise. 


Idaho was without any Breweries until Tim Batt started the first modern brewery in 1984.  He called it Snake River Brewing.  


Idaho had more than 33 breweries for the first time in history in 2014.  Eleven new breweries opened in 2014 bringing the total of Active Idaho Breweries to 41.


Idaho hit an all time high with 101 Active Breweries in January 2024.  It was downhill from there with 24 Idaho Breweries closing and only 7 breweries opening in 2024.  Idaho only has 84 active breweries now.


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When I started writing this blog in 2013, it was to add a narrative to my List of Idaho Breweries website.  There were only 31 breweries in Idaho in 2013.  Idaho had 45 breweries that opened between 1984 and 2013, but 14 had closed in that time.  It only took 11 years for Idaho to get to 101 active breweries.  It will a long time till Idaho ever approaches 100 active breweries again.

IDAHO BREWERY HISTORY FROM 1984 TO 2024



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Idaho Craft Brewing is not alone.  2024 was the first year since the 1980's that brewery closings exceeded brewery openings.  Check out the two links below for details.

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IDAHO BREWERIES THAT OPENED IN FOURTH QUARTER OF 2024

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RUCKUS BREWING IN GARDEN CITY 

Just a few images from the grand opening:



Customer Steve and Owner Kyle

First Customers

Happy Customers

Customers with Brewhouse in background


Kyle and Makenna Durham opened Ruckus Brewing at the old Loose Screw Brewing in Garden City at 4348 W. Chinden Blvd.  on October 19, 2024.

Kyle won the Western Idaho Fair Beer of the year award in 2023 and has been home brewing for over 20 years.

 Ruckus is a BoiseBeerBuddies Hub.

BOISEBREWBLOG - A story about the opening of Ruckus Brewing.



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SAINT AGONY BREWING IN SAINT ANTHONY




Thanks to Steve Jalbert for photo


Byron and Heidi opened their Saint Agony Brewing micro brewery and taphouse  in Saint Anthony in October 2024.

FACEBOOK


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THE MARTLET IN POCATELLO





The Martlet, a new Pocatello  Brewery, opened in the recently closed Star Route Brewing  location.

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Complete List of Idaho Breweries That Closed in 2024









For further details about closed breweries, check out List of Idaho Breweries.

Many of these breweries were small pico breweries, but a few were in the top twenty largest breweries in Idaho


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Edge Brewing was a major brewery in Boise with a very popular restaurant. Western collective bought the Edge Beer brand.

Selkirk Abbey was a very popular 24BBL brewery in Post Falls.
Selkirk Abbey for Sale!  Selkirk Abbey was sold to Westwood Brewing.
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Woodland Empire Ale Craft closed their brewery and taproom on Front Street in Boise.  Their beer brand will remain with most of their production moving to Lost Grove Brewing.

Story from Boise Development

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MISCELLANEOUS IDAHO BREWING NEWS

Payette Brewing moved their production to Upslope Brewing in Colorado.  Their taphouse will remain open in Boise with your favorite Payette beer/cocktails.   Payette will continue to brew beer in Boise, albeit on a small brew system  Their cocktails will also be produced in Boise.

PORTNEUF VALLEY BREWING will be returning to brewing in 2025.  See Story
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CLAIRVOYANT BREWING closed down their second location in  Garden City (formerly home to County Line brewing).

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WESTERN COLLECTIVE shut down their downtown Boise operations.  They are still open in  Garden City.

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BROWN BEARD BREWING opened a second location in Garden City.   Their second location is where IDAWILD BREWING was located.


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LOOSE SCREW BREWING opened their new brewery and tap room in Meridian.


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IDAHO BREWERY NEWS 2025


BELMONT BREW HOUSE plans to open a restaurant and  brewery in the former Twisted District Brewery location in Garden City


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OLDSPEAK BOOK BEER BAR will open their taphouse in Garden City in the former Twisted Ewe location.  The taphouse will feature Alliteration Ales brewed by Adam Fleck.




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RETURN TO  LIST OF IDAHO BREWERIES
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RETURN TO BOISEBEERCULTURE.COM.

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CHECK OUT BOISE BEER BUDDIES

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Monday, October 7, 2024

THIRD QUARTER 2024 IDAHO BREWERIES UPDATE

 By Bob Hubler



New Ruckus Brewing Logo



Idaho entered the third quarter with 95 active breweries.  Two new breweries opened in the third quarter and two breweries closed leaving Idaho with 95 active breweries.


There have been 144 Idaho breweries open in the Craft Brewing Era.  Sadly, 49 Idaho breweries have closed their doors.
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IDAHO BREWERIES THAT CLOSED IN THIRD QTR 2024


119 Black Canyon Brewing in Emmett.  This location will continue as The Black Canyon Taphouse with new owners.

19 River Bend Brewing in Hailey.   This brewery was a 7bbl home location brewery that sold their beer in various taphouses and restaurants in Sun Valley area. 



IDAHO BREWERIES THAT OPENED IN THE THIRD QUARTER OF 2024


There is one new Idaho brewery that opened it's doors in the third qtr of 2024.  There was also a second brewery that reopened with new owners after a two year hiatus.  

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141 HARDWARE BREWING - KENDRICK




New Owners started brewing in the third quarter of 2024.  This brewery was originally opened in 2018 but was shut down by Covid. 





142THE BRUERY AT EAGLE VIEW LANDING 



Jimbo Wood,  Tasting Room GM


The Bruery opened a tasting room and tap house  in Meridian in the 3rd quarter of 2024.  Jimbo Wood is the General Manager of the Meridian location.  The tasting room is around 2,000 square feet and has 3,000 square feet of out door space.  There is 36 taps showcasing Bruery beer and Offshoot beer.   They also have a small brew system on site.

The Bruery Tap house is at:  1184 S. Silverstone Way, Suite 100, Meridian,  Idaho 83642.
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A little background of The Bruery:

The Bruery was found by Patrick Rue in 2008 in Placentia, California and specializes in very dark, barrel-aged high-alcohol beer.  Patrick swore that he would never brew an IPA!  When The Bruery was acquired by a Boston company in 2017, they kept the pledge made by Patrick, but to provide their customers with a wide range of beer choices, they started The Offshoot Beer Co. to brew their IPA's and other lighter beer.




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IDAHO BREWERIES WILL OPEN IN THE FOURTH QUARTER OF 2024


Both of these breweries produced beer the the third quarter of 2024, but will not open until October 2024. 


143 SAINT AGONY BREWING




Thanks to Steve Jalbert for photo


Byron and Heidi will open their Saint Agony Brewing micro brewery and taphouse  in Saint Anthony in October 2024.

FACEBOOK

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144RUCKUS BREWING






Kyle and Makenna Durham will open Ruckus Brewing at the old Loose Screw Brewing Garden City location at 4348 W. Chinden Blvd.  on October 19th 2024.

Kyle won the Western Idaho Fair Beer of the year award in 2023 and has been home brewing for over 20 years.

 Ruckus will be Boise's newest BoiseBeerBuddies Hub.




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OTHER IDAHO BREWING NEWS


123 ALLITERATION ALES

Adam and Shelley have announced that Alliteration Ales will open a taphouse in Garden City.  The new taphouse dubbed "Old Speakeasy"  will be located at 3640 W. Chinden which is the former location of the "Twisted Ewe" yarn store. The Old Speakeasy will be a taphouse and bookstore.   




103 LOOSE SCREW BEER CO.


Loose Screw Beer Co. plans to move their beer production from Garden City to a second Meridian Location.  This former funeral home will also have a tap room.  Their current McMillan location continue operations giving Loose Screw two Meridian locations. 


Their opening date will be in late 2024 or early 2025.



Brew House Arrives


105 E Carlton, Meridian, Idaho

Website

Facebook

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129 Brown Beard Brewing

Pirate Night at the new Brown Beard location


Brown Beard is expanding.  Bryce Tuttle's Brewery has to grow to keep up demand.  They opened a second location vacated by Idlewild Brewing which is the former Barbarian Brewing location. 


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OTHER IDAHO BREWING RUMOURS


The Martlet, a new Pocatello  Brewery plans to open in the recently closed Star Route Brewing  location.


97 58 26279 Lone Mountain Farms has ceased brewing.

40 18 12460 Selkirk Abbey Brewing Company will cease operations in October 2024.

Clairvoyant West Brewing will close.  Their Boise location will remain open.





CHECK OUT BOISE BEER BUDDIES





RETURN TO BOISEBEERCULTURE.COM.


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Tuesday, July 9, 2024

2ND QUARTER 2024 IDAHO BREWERY UPDATE

 by Bob Hubler

Future Home of Loose Screw Brewing


The Second Quarter of 2024 was the worst three months in the history of Idaho Breweries.  

Idaho entered the second quarter with 101 active breweries.  No new breweries opened in the second quarter and five breweries closed leaving Idaho with 96 active breweries.

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IDAHO BREWERIES THAT CLOSED IN SECOND QTR 2024

Garden City lost two breweries this  quarter:


109 TWISTED DISTRICT BREW CO





Opened in 2020 in Garden City by Bud Mohr, this brewery had fermenters, but no mash tun or hot liquor tank.  They imported their wort from other breweries. 


117 IDAWILD BREWING





Opened in Garden City in 2022 at the former Barbarian Brewing location by Matt and Cortni Nadar.


38 MOSCOW BREWING

121 MICROPOLIS BREWING




Moscow lost two breweries that shared the same location and system.  Last year, Moscow had four breweries,  Only Hunga Dunga remains.



53 EDGE BREWING





Boise lost one of the best breweries and restaurants when after 10 years, Edge Brewing closed.  I remember when Marcus Bezuhly opened with his head brewer, Kerry Caldwell, the former Table Rock Brewery Head Brewer.  It was exciting times with my friends opening a brewpub in Boise.

For 10 years, the Edge Brewpub was one of Boise's most popular places to meet with friends to have a beer, or eat lunch or dinner.  It will be missed.

Thank you Marcus and Sherry for all the good times.





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IDAHO BREWERIES THAT PLAN TO OPEN IN 2024


There are Three more Idaho breweries that plan to open their doors in 2024.  There will also be a fourth brewery that  will reopen with new owners after a two year hiatus.  

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RUKUS BREWING


Loose Screw Brewing DID shut down their production in Garden City in April 2024. 
Kyle Durham of Rukus Brewing will take over the Loose Screw Brewing Garden City location with a planned opening date in the 3rd quarter of 2024. 



Kyle Durham and Mike Garcia




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THE BRUERY 



Jimbo Wood,  Tasting Room GM


The Bruery will open a tasting room and tap house  in Meridian in the 3rd quarter of 2024.  Jimbo Wood will be the General Manager of the Meridian location.  The tasting room will be around 2,000 square feet and have 3,000 square feet of out door space.  There will be 36 taps showcasing Bruery beer and Offshoot beer.   They will also have a small brew system on site.

The Bruery Tap house will be at:  1184 S. Silverstone Way, Suite 100, Meridian,  Idaho 83642.
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A little background of The Bruery:

The Bruery was found by Patrick Rue in 2008 in Placentia, California and specializes in very dark, barrel-aged high-alcohol beer.  Patrick swore that he would never brew an IPA!  When The Bruery was acquired by a Boston company in 2017, they kept the pledge made by Patrick, but to provide their customers with a wide range of beer choices, they started The Offshoot Beer Co. to brew their IPA's and other lighter beer.




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SAINT AGONY BREWING





Saint Agony Brewing in Saint Anthony plans to open a pico brewery in 2024.

Facebook

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HARDWARE BREWING - KENDRICK



















New Owners plan to brew their own beer starting in Summer of 2024.  

Layne Harris is the new owner and is currently looking for a head brewer.

Hardware Brewing is currently licensed by the ABC to brew beer.




FACEBOOK

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OTHER IDAHO BREWING NEWS


103 LOOSE SCREW BEER CO.


Loose Screw Beer Co is planning to move their beer production from Garden City to a second Meridian Location.  This former funeral home will also have a tap room.  Their current McMillan location continue operations giving Loose Screw two Meridian locations.


105 E Carlton, Meridian, Idaho

Update

Story

Website

Facebook

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139 BOISE BOOCH





Boise Booch started up in the first quarter  of 2024, but did not open their taproom until second quarter. Boise Booch brews an alcoholic tea, but also has a few local beers on tap for the beer drinkers.


Opening Day Video


Facebook


129 Brown Beard Brewing




Brown Beard is expanding.  Bryce Tuttle's Brewery has to grow to keep up demand.  They will be moving into the location vacated by Idlewild Brewing which is the former Barbarian Brewing location. They  plan to open their new location in the third quarter of 2024.





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CHECK OUT BOISE BEER BUDDIES





RETURN TO BOISEBEERCULTURE.COM.











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