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:
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| Customer Steve and Owner Kyle |
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| First Customers |
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| Happy Customers |
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| 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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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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Payette will still have a facility in Idaho (it's off S. Cole Rd) with some production so I wouldn't count them as closed! Most production is moving but not all!
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