By Bob Hubler
In 1888, there were 33 different Breweries in the State of Idaho....that is 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....so 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 entered 2023 with 92 Active Breweries. During 2023 Idaho added 9 new breweries but lost 2 breweries bringing the total of Active Breweries to 99. At least three more breweries plan to open in 2024 bringing the total of Idaho breweries to 102.
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NEW IDAHO BREWERIES THAT WILL OPEN IN 2024
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Yes, 2024 has just begun, and we already have three new operating breweries.
137 GEM STATE BREWING
Gem State Brewing was the first Brewery to open in 2024 and becomes the 100th Active Idaho Brewery. As of January 1st, 2024 Idaho has 100 active breweries.
The original GEM State Brewing was located in downtown Caldwell, but only lasted a couple of years.
This brewery has been in the works for five years and survived a pandemic and many red tape setbacks. The wait was worth it. The Grand Opening on January 6th has overflow crowds that were finally rewarded with Eagle's very own Craft Brewery and Tap house
GEM STATE BREWING is a very unique Idaho Brewery for several reasons:
1 - It is one of the few Idaho breweries to build their own building, as opposed to buying a building that was used for another purpose.
2 - The owners also live in an apartment located on the second floor of the brewery.
3 - The brewery is in downtown Eagle and surrounded by many local restaurants where you can order their food to go, then eat it at the brewery while enjoying great beer.
The bar top is actually made from the old oak tree that stood in the center of the original property. Check out pictures below.
I predict great success for this new Eagle business as it is destined to be a popular local neighborhood pub that is within easy walking and bicycling distance from many Eagle residents..
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| Owners Kristi and Chris McGinnis |
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| The 10BBL Brewhouse |
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| Free Cookies at the Grand Opening |
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| The Flight |
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| Full House at the opening |
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| Long Line at the opening |
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| The taps and Oak Tree Counter |
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| The Old Oak Tree |
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| The Old Oak Tree on it's way |
Taproom Hours:
Sunday 12-7
Monday 3-9
Tuesday closed
Wednesday 3-9
Thursday 3-9
Friday 3-10
Saturday 12-10
Website
City of Eagle Podcast story
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138 TWISTED SLATE BREWERY
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| Owners Tiffanie Delaney and Nick Giese |
After operating as a restaurant and tap house for the last two and a half years, this Hayden based pico brewery started brewing beer in early January 2024.
Open Hours:
Monday
CLOSED
Tuesday
CLOSED
Wednesday
14:00 - 22:00
Thursday
12:00 - 21:00
Friday
12:00 - 23:00
Saturday
12:00 - 21:00
Sunday
12:00 - 22:00
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139 BOISE BOOCH
Boise Booch has a brewery license, but does not brew beer. They manufacture Hard Kombucha, an alcoholic tea. Katie Powell is the owner/operator.
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| The fermenter |
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NEW IDAHO BREWERIES THAT OPENED IN 2023
127 Bitter Creek/Red Feather - Boise
128 Vantage Point - Coeur D' Alene
129 Brown Beard Brewing - Garden Cit
130 Broadford Beverage - Hailey
132 Two Saints Brewing - Saint Maries
133 Eruption Brewing and Bistro - Lava Hot Springs
134 Bert's Brewing - Garden City
135 Brewscape Brewing - Hayden
136 Highlander Brewing - Salmon
For further details on these new Idaho Breweries, check out the 2024 Quarterly Brewery Updates: Click here to return to the Blog main page.
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IDAHO BREWERIES THAT CLOSED IN 2023
68 Rants and Raves Brewing in Moscow 2016-2023
110 High Society Brewing in Hayden 2021-223
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