Curious about visiting one of the many breweries in Boise? You’ve come to the right place. Idaho may be most famous for its potatoes, but thanks to inventive brewers crafting fantastic beer, the breweries in Boise have begun to give Boise a name for itself as a prime destination for high-quality beer.
Move over spuds it’s time for some serious love of hops.
As former brand ambassadors for one of the top Boise breweries, we have a lot of love for the beer scene in Boise. Whether you’re passing through or living in Boise, we think checking out the beer scene in Boise is one of the best things to do in Idaho. Read on to see our picks for 14 thirst-quenching breweries in Boise, Idaho you’ll want to add to your must-visit list.
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Boise Brewery Map
Since Boise is a small city you can easily make your own walking tour of the breweries in downtown Boise. We haven’t personally done a brewery tour with a company, but you can check out these companies that offer a tour of various breweries.
Boise Bicycle Tours
Brews Cruise
Below is a map of all the Boise, Idaho breweries mentioned in this post.
14 Must Visit Breweries in Boise
Payette Brewing Company
Founded in May of 2011, Payette Brewing’s mission is to brew excellent beers while simultaneously building a culture that connects, educates, makes a difference, and champions the craft brew industry. The founders live and breathe beer and love sharing their passion with their clients, community, and partners.
The brewery’s name is inspired by Fançois Payette, who was a French Canadian trapper once stationed at the old Fort Boise. Payette represents the adventurous spirit of Idaho. His name and memory are kept alive in several places in and around the state, including a county, three lakes, and even a mountain.
Payette Brewing Company offers a range of beers, both in a can and on tap, as well as ready-to-drink craft cocktails called Anytimers. These award-winning cocktails use fresh ingredients as well as absolute Idaho vodka. The brewery is also home to a hip tap room located along the Boise River in Downtown Boise, where they offer twenty beers on tap as well as local wine, cider, and non-alcoholic options.
Just outside the Tap Room, patrons can also lounge in the 11,000-square-foot Beer Garden, which features a fire pit, bocce ball court, food trucks, and picnic tables. Along with rotating food trucks, The Queen Food Trailer, run by Chef Micheal Large, is a permanent food option that can be ordered both in the Tap Room and Beer Garden. The Beer Garden is also dog friendly!
Last but certainly not least, the Payette offers brewing experiences, including a guided tour, beer tasting, and even a self-guided tour.
*As former brand ambassadors for Payette, it’s safe to say we are partial to Payette and that it gets our vote for one of the best Boise Breweries. We chose to be ambassadors for them because we think they’re awesome. You can learn more about Payette in my post about visiting the brewery here.
111 W 33rd St, Boise, ID, USA, 208 344 0011
Boise Brewing
Before launching, the founder of Boise Brewing, Colin Rudeen, turned to Kickstarter to raise the initial funds to launch his company. After a successful campaign, Colin wanted to do more, and after many meetings with banks and lawyers, he came up with the idea of creating a community-owned brewery.
With a modest investment, anyone could own a piece of this Boise brewery, and with the help of 280 individual owners and businesses, Boise Brewery was able to raise enough funds to open its doors in 2014. Today, Boise Brewery is one of only a handful of breweries in the United States that offers such an ownership program.
This Boise brewery offers a range of beers, including their year-round, classic seasonal, and new wave season beers, including their Chocolate Milk Stout, a stout brewed with milk chocolate. The brewery also has a season Bomber Series which includes beers that are big on flavor and style, and the Evolution IPA series, which embraces the experimental side of what makes an IPA. Their beer also won several awards, including the Gold medal at the World Beer Cup in 2018.
521 W Broad St, Boise, ID 83702, United States, 208-342-7655
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Cloud 9
Founded in 2012, Cloud 9 Brewery is focused on providing patrons with the best quality, locally sourced, organic ingredients in both their restaurant and their brewery. Cloud 9 is the only certified organic brewery in Idaho. This nano-brewery produces eight kegs per hand-crafted batch and features six staples and six rotating taps. The six staple beers include a Blonde Ale, American Amber Ale, SNS IPA, Double IPA, 9 Grain Porter, and a Salted Caramel Stout.
The brewery also has a feedback process, shaping the next batch’s direction. The brewery collects and analyzes customer feedback as a way to include the community in the beer-making process.
Cloud 9’s approach to food is just as meticulous, offering a menu full of fresh, organic, and locally-sourced ingredients. The restaurant serves classic dishes and interesting beer-inspired interpretations, like their homemade dessert, beer-amisu.
1750 W State St, Boise, ID 83702, 208-336-0681
IDAHO BEER TRIVIA: Idaho is the 2nd largest hops producer and the No. 1 barley grower in the United States. Learn more Idaho trivia in our article 57 Fun Facts About Idaho.
Barbarian Brewing
With a motto like “Why the f**k not,” rest assured that a trip to Barbarian Brewing will be anything but typical. This Boise brewery focuses on creating mashups of new-world flavors and old-world traditions. It is a brewery focused on asking the hard questions of beer-making, like “if a donut and a stout had a baby, what would it taste like?” This why-not attitude and out-of-the-box thinking has made Barbarian Brewing famous.
It has also birthed some exciting experimental beer styles like Ice Cream Ales and a Candy Gose series. Barbarian Brewing is one of those breweries in Boise that make you question everything.
If you are looking for classic beer, they have that too. The brewery offers traditional barrel-aged beers and high-quality IPAs as well as aging limited-batch sour, Bourbon barrel stouts, barley wine, and more in their 90 oak barrels. They also offer craft kettle sours, hazy IPAs, West Coast IPAs, Belgian ales, and dark and malty style beers.
Barbarian Brewing has two locations: Brewery & Tasting Room and Downtown Beer Bar. Their Brewery and Tasting Room offers 22+ Barbarian Beers on tap, patio seating, and food provided by Kismet Kitchen. Their Downtown Beer Bar also offers 22+ Barbarian beers on tap, patio seating, food supplied by Calle75 Street Tacos, and live music every Tuesday and Thursday evening. Both locations are also dog-friendly.
Brewery and Tap Room: 114 E 32nd St, Garden City, ID 83714, 208-375-5639
Downtown Beer Bar: 1022 W Main St Boise, Idaho 83702, 208-387-2739
Sockeye Brewing
Founded in 1996 by an Idaho river guide, Sockeye Brewing started as a brewery only, selling kegs to local breweries in Boise. However, it didn’t take long to outgrow its humble beginnings, and today it is one of the best breweries in Boise. Sockeye Brewing has won over 250 awards for its craft beers and has opened two locations in Boise, which include Sockeye Grill & Brewery and Sockeye Alehouse, which will officially open in Fall 2022. The Alehouse will span over 12,000 square feet and feature a restaurant with indoor/outdoor seating, a location-specific menu, a golf-themed bar, and a year-round indoor 9-hole putting course.
Sockeye Brewing argues that they have some of the best beer in Boise, offering a large selection of year-round and seasonal beers. This brewery in Boise also provides a Catch & Release collection, which includes rotating Imperial IPAs and sours, and a Soaked in Oak Series, created with the craft beer connoisseur in mind.
Sockeye Grill & Brewery: 12542 W Fairview Avenue, Boise, Idaho 83713, (208) 322-5200
Sockeye Alehouse: TBD
Highlands Hollow
Also known as The Hollow, The Highlands Hollow is the oldest microbrewery in Boise. Founded in 1992, this Boise brewery provides hand-crafted quality beer and delicious homemade style cuisine.
Since it opened its doors, Highlands has handcrafted various specialty beers with fan favorites including the Hippie Shake (rich, full-bodied, and flavourful IPA), Spoon Tongue (light, smooth ale hopped with Willamette hops), Thunder Monkey (strong bitter type of ale), and Fiegwild (and English-style pale ale). Whatever you choose, Highlands Hollow offers a warm atmosphere with rotating taps of fresh beer brewed onsite.
Their beers also pair perfectly with their menu, which offers a range of different dishes from wings, to salads, to entrees like halibut & chips, grilled polenta, pasta, tacos, or one of their delicious sandwiches.
2455 N Highlands Hollow, Boise, ID 83702, United States, 208-343-6820
Edge Brewing
In the Spring of 2014, Marcus Bezuhly opened Edge Brewing Co. along with his friends and family with the vision of perfecting the beer craft while also focusing on atmosphere and food. Their vision paid off as their pub grub, specifically the Over the Edge Burger, was featured on Man vs. Food.
This Boise brewery has two locations, the Edge Brewery & Restaurant and the Edge Pub on the 10th. Each location has its year-round seasonal beers as well as cocktail and cider selections. Both locations also serve the B-Side Bombers series and a handful of specialty and limited-release craft beers. According to Edge Brewing, their B-Side Bombers are a mythological series of beers that merge taste and gravity, standing up to any ancient legend or spiritual belief. Be ready to awaken your mind and stupefy your body.
The Edge Brewing Co. is the perfect place in Boise for anyone looking for delicious, unique beers (as well as classics) that pair perfectly with craft pub grub. They also offer online delivery if craving something on the go.
Edge Brewing Pub on 10th: 205 N 10th St, Boise, ID 83702, 208-972-5900
Edge Brewery & Restaurant: 525 Steelhead Way, Boise, ID 83704, 208-995-2979
Woodland Empire Ale Craft
A downtown staple and beloved brewery, Woodland Empire Ale Craft is a Boise brewery that focuses on creating high-quality beers using Idaho-grown ingredients. They specialize in IPAs with their Mixtape Series along with unique twists on classic styles. This Boise brewery has won countless awards for its beer and is the 3rd-largest brewery in the city and the 6th-largest in the state.
Woodland Empire has more of a cbar feel than other breweries on the list, so it’s a great choice if you’re looking for a classic bar/brewery feel with dark wood and plenty of darts.
Founded in 2014, the original owners sold the brewery in 2022 to Boise locals. It’ll be exciting to see what they do next with the brewery!
1114 W Front St, Boise, ID 83702, United States, 208-426-0510
Clairvoyant Brewing
Located in downtown Boise, in a renovated auto repair shop, Clairvoyant Brewing is a microbrewery that offers a great selection of craft beer for thirsty patrons. The brewery provides beers on tap, cans-to-go, and BYOG Growler fills. It also features beer and wine from the other local breweries and vineyards. The brewery has a rotating food truck schedule that you can find on their website and a live music and events schedule.
Its location off the Greenbelt, close to Esther Simplot Park, makes it a great choice after biking the greenbelt.
2800 W Idaho St, Boise, ID 83702, United States, 208-996-0095
Bear Island Brewing Co
Known as Boise’s biggest little brewery, Bear Island Brewing Co, is a family and veteran-owned brewery that prioritizes using local ingredients whenever possible. Beer Islands Brewing is one of the Boise breweries that prioritizes small production and specializes in balanced and unique brews with a local flair.
The founders, Beth and Steve, met while in the Navy, training to be on the Navy bomb squad. While they were in the world, they were also trying different types of beers during their downtime and dreaming of one day opening up their own brewery. So after retiring from the military, they decided to launch their own company from the garage of their house.
Their beer was a hit, and they soon moved into a fire-house turned taphouse that today serves year-round beer like the Idaho Potato Ale along with seasonal, specialty, and guest beers. They also serve food and have live music on Friday nights.
1620 N Liberty St, Boise, ID 83704, United States, 208-298-746
Mad Swede Brewing
Over 30 years ago, founder Jerry brewed his first batch of beer while still in college. Over the years, he continued experimenting with different recipes, meticulously noting down the ingredients, and the methods he would use. Although Jerry, and his wife Sue, would eventually choose to spend much of their careers working as engineers for Hewlett Packard, their love for beer eventually led them to open the Mad Swede Brewing Company in 2016.
The goal of Made Swede is to produce delicious beer using the methods perfected by Jerry over the years, along with locally-sourced ingredients that help support Idaho farmers and reduce their carbon footprint. The result? Award-winning beers made for every type of beer palette.
Mad Swede Brewing also has a tasting room next to their brewery, where they serve a year-round selection of adventurous, high-quality, and seasonal beers. They even have a gluten-free beer, the Himiglaeva Hazy Pale Ale, as well as wine, hard cider, and non-alcoholic choices. Along with beverages, the tasting room has guest food trucks on rotation and games and entertainment, like shuffleboard, dart boards, and billiards.
They also have the Mad Swede Brew Hall in downtown Boise where they serve their award-winning beer and a small food menu featuring Swedish meatballs and New Zealand hand pies. This location is also all about entertainment, offering patrons comedy, music, games, and more.
White Dog Brewing
Named after the founder’s White Lab, Cami, the White Dog Brewing Co’s motto is “Fetch the Good Life.” However, the history behind this brewery doesn’t start in Idaho. It begins in Bozeman, Montana, the first and original location of the White Dog Brewery Co. In 2016, Joe, one of the founders, was visiting his in-laws in Boise when he stumbled across a recently vacated building. The former business was the TableRock Brewpub and Grill, one of the original microbreweries in Boise. Not only was this location up for grabs, but all the original brewing equipment was still there and ready to be used—talk about serendipity. Long story short, in 2020, they sold the Bozeman location and moved to Boise.
The primary mission at White Dog Brewing Co. is to provide patrons with an exceptional, one-of-a-kind beer drinking experience. They produce delicious handcrafted beer suitable for every type of beer drinker.
Another unique feature is their Beer with a Story, which is their original can series, designed to embody their motto, Fetch the Good Life. Each can design is inspired by the adventures of a local beer lover and their animals. These stories can be found on their website.
They’ve also paired their brews with Smoke and Thyme‘s menu, a smokehouse with some of the highest quality smoked meats in Boise.
705 W Fulton St, Boise, ID 83702, United States, 208-906-0609
10 Barrel Brewing
Like White Dog Brewing, 10 Barrel Brewing didn’t originate in Boise but rather started in 2006 in Bend, Oregon. Come 2013, the successful brewery opened up a brewpub and quickly became a mainstay of the popular breweries in downtown Boise.
While its roots are in Oregon, brewmaster Brian Augello whips up special small-batch beers made just for the Boise brewpub. They also have a quarterly charity where they donate to an Idaho charity further cementing their place in the Idaho beer community.
They offer a variety of inventive brews, but if you’re a fan of sours you’ll want to try out the Cucumber Crush.
They also have a full menu of delectable dishes served in a casual rustic environment, making it a great choice if you’re looking for breweries in Boise with food.
826 W Bannock St, Boise, ID 83702, 208-344-5870
Meriwether Cider Co.
Craving something a little different in Boise? While not technically a beer brewery, we had to give some love to Meriwether Cider Company, a family-owned and operated hard cider establishment in the city. If you didn’t already know, cider has a rich history in the US, dating back to the 18th century when Americans in New England started to ferment 300,000 gallons per year.
According to Meriweather, cider is the missing link between beer and wine. Cider is fizzy and refreshing, similar to a beer, yet is composed of complex tastes and aromas that make it slightly more sophisticated.
Meriwether Cider Co. makes its cider from apples grown in the Northwest. They prioritize cider made with real apples with no artificial flavors or essences. Along with classic cider, they also offer twists on the classic, including a hopped, ginger, fruit, and even a semi-dry cider. Their hopped cider, which includes a blend of cider with the same hops that you would enjoy with your favorite IPA, has even won awards, including the Best in Show in the Hopped category at GLINTCAP.
Meriwether Cider House is located in downtown Boise and offers a large selection of house-made, national and international ciders that are on-tap or bottled. They also host events like Trivia Night and have food trucks and live music on Fridays and Saturdays.
5242 W Chinden Blvd, Garden City, ID 83714, United States, +1 208-972-6725
Which of these breweries in Boise are you thirsting to try out? Did we miss a fan favorite Boise brewery? Let us know in the comments below.
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2 comments
Mad Swede Brewing is the best! So yum. Great blog!
Yay! I’m glad you enjoyed the blog. The Boise beer scene is fantastic!!!