Boise Brewery Tour

Boise Brewery Tour

Boise is fast becoming a Craft Beer Mecca in the mold of Bend, Oregon and San Diego, California. Unlike the rest of the country where Craft Beer Sales hover around 14% of the market, it is double that here in Southwest Idaho. One of the big advantages of being a Craft Beer Mecca is that we attract great beer from around the country. Breweries are taking notice and they are distributing their beer in Boise.

When deciding on which breweries to visit in Boise, it’s hard to go wrong as there are so many great options alongside beautiful scenery in-between every stop. Urban comforts rest seamlessly against hundreds of miles of single-track mountain bike and hiking trails in the Boise Foothills. Bisected by the peaceful waters of the Boise River, you can honestly say that most places in the Treasure Valley could be the perfect starting point for your brewery tour, with endless options for recreation, wining, dining, and craft beer. Often regarded as one of the top places to live, work and play in the United States, the “City of Trees” has become a delightful haven for beer drinkers and craft brew enthusiasts and that’s why it makes the list of Boyle’s Boise: 52 Things to Do and See.

All that being said, here was the route that Michael and I chose. First, we dropped by Payette Brewing Company for an Outlaw IPA and a Payette Pale Ale. The brewery, named not only for one of Idaho’s staple rivers but also the town I grew up in, offers many seasonal beers and is known to bring in evening eats from some of the areas top food trucks. This was a great place to start because it is a popular brewery in Boise and is surrounded by many others, so it was easy for us to walk, saved money and time.

Then, we went up the street to the Crooked Fence Brewery Barrelhouse - another laid back beer maker with a prolific local following. We both tried the Rusty Nail Pale Ale and recommend it to all.

After that, we decided to migrate toward the lively downtown Boise beer scene. Like many Oregon-based breweries that have locations in Boise, 10 Barrel Brewing Company offers excellent options for foodies, not to mention a diverse spectrum of tasty in-house brews. 10 Barrel Brewing Company started in Bend, Oregon and has since branched out all over the Northwestern U.S.

That was our last stop, but if you are still up for a few more, you might want to make Bittercreek Ale House (just around the corner) your next stop. With a refined menu and robust beer and wine selection, you could get lost in the menu. But don’t worry, the highly trained staff can recommend something for any preference.

About Me

I have been living in Idaho for my entire life, and the Treasure Valley has been my home for more than 30 years. In addition to constantly exploring the city and all of its activities, I am also very involved in the Treasure Valley's philanthropy scene. I have been working in the Mortgage industry as a Loan Officer for more than 35 years now and  my husband, Michael had a 20+ year career in Real Estate. So, if you are new to the area and looking to lay some roots for your family, get involved with some great causes, connect with like-minded people or just explore all that Boise has to offer – don’t hesitate to let me know.