IBU in the News: Boise Brew Blog
Destination Beer 2026, put on by Idaho Brewers United, and sponsored in large part by Idaho Hopgrowers Commision was this past weekend in McCall, ID. On a cool, clear Saturday afternoon, 25 or so Idaho brewers were represented “under the big-top” in the parking lot just East of the McCall Hotel.
Destination Beer 2026, put on by Idaho Brewers United, and sponsored in large part by Idaho Hopgrowers Commision was this past weekend in McCall, ID. On a cool, clear Saturday afternoon, 25 or so Idaho brewers were represented “under the big-top” in the parking lot just East of the McCall Hotel. Your ticket got you unlimited beer tasters and catered appetizers/snacks from 2 – 6pm. Limited VIP passes got you an early entrance for an additional hour of less crowds and a better chance to visit with some of the brewers. It’s the best beer festival of the season and has been going on since 2017.
IBU in the News: The Joy of Beer
Following 12+ years of steady guidance from OG director Sheila Francis, Idaho Brewers United (IBU), our state’s craft beer industry nonprofit trade organization, has a new executive director. Mindi Ridgeway assumed the mantle in the spring of 2025. During a recent sit-down after an industry social event, we discussed the challenges and opportunities that Idaho beer confronts in 2026. The first topic though, was Destination:Beer.
Following 12+ years of steady guidance from OG director Sheila Francis, Idaho Brewers United (IBU), our state’s craft beer industry nonprofit trade organization, has a new executive director. Mindi Ridgeway assumed the mantle in the spring of 2025. During a recent sit-down after an industry social event, we discussed the challenges and opportunities that Idaho beer confronts in 2026. The first topic though, was Destination:Beer.
Destination:Beer is a homegrown IBU event. The 2026 iteration finds 20 plus Idaho breweries pouring at McCall’s Depot Park on Saturday, Feb. 21. In addition to unlimited pours (please drink responsibly), attendees will receive SWAG (Stuff We All Get) bags, meal-worthy heavy appetizers from Mountain Morsels, and the annual Destination:Beer tasting glass. Consider the event dinner and a show … with beer. As of this writing, a limited number of both tickets and volunteer shifts are still available - for more information, please visit destinationbeer.beer
Not to gild the lily, but Brundage has snow enough for winter recreation. Plan accordingly. Make a weekend of supporting local beer and the self-described Best Snow in Idaho.
Pro tips for festival success: EAT! - historically, the food spread has been plentiful and delicious, with a nice mix of carbs, proteins, and fat. Food slows the absorption rate of alcohol. ‘Nuff said. FEET - though the event takes place in a covered tent, it is still outdoors. In McCall. In February. Frozen (possibly snow-covered) ground requires warm socks and shoes. Dress in layers. Bring a dry pair of everything if possible. NEAT - as in not sloppy. Drinking nothing but alcohol in an ill-conceived attempt to try every available offering equals trouble. Have some water. Stay awhile. Your liver, your dignity, and the other attendees thank you.
Though Destination:Beer kicks off the year for IBU, April is still Idaho Craft Beer Month. Per an email exchange with Ridgeway, she confirms that the annual Pints Up Idaho celebration will occur April 9-12. Final design for this year’s commemorative glassware is underway.
In that same exchange, Ridgeway writes that her “biggest challenge has probably been geography. We're a big state, with pockets of urban breweries (CdA, Boise, Pocatello) and then scattered rural breweries all in between.” Via travel and frequent guild socials around the state, Ridgeway aims to foster more engagement for all Idaho breweries. Regarding legislative issues for the current session, IBU board vice president and owner of Meridian’s Loose Screw Beer Co., Mike Garcia, relayed via email that IBU remains committed to “removing government barriers that unnecessarily stifle small businesses.” As the overwhelming majority of Idaho breweries are small outfits, this commitment tracks. Additionally, Garcia shared that, in a future session, IBU “may pursue a farm-to-beer initiative that would provide breweries a tax credit for recycling spent grain.” Craft brewing’s national trade organization, the Brewers Association, actively supports state-level efforts for this “Brews to Barns” credit as it’s a win for all parties involved. So exercise your civic responsibility and enjoy an Idaho beer today! Cheers, ~M
Idaho wins 38 Medals at NABA 2023!
The 26th International Beer & Cider Awards from the North American Brewers Association took place June 2, 2023 in Idaho Falls, ID and Idaho breweries were awarded 38 medals!
The 26th International Beer & Cider Awards from the North American Brewers Association took place June 2, 2023 in Idaho Falls, ID and Idaho breweries were awarded 38 medals!
Fun Facts:
Idaho accounted for 299 entries, second only to Oregon
Of the 38 medals, 13 gold, 12 silver, and 13 bronze
Medals were won across 31 categories
In 6 categories, Idaho took 2 of the 3 medals
IDAHO WINNERS (Alphabetically)
Bear Island Brewing (Boise)
Silver Ammo Bocks 4A - Helles Bock/Maibock/Traditional Bock
Bronze Dubbel Car Garage 14CD - Biere de Garde/Dubbel
Gold Tater Tot 14H - Other Belgian-Style Ales
Bertram’s Salmon Valley Brewery (Salmon)
Bronze Jakes Imperial Red 10G - Double/Imperial Red Ale
Gold Sacagawea Stout 11G - Dry Stout
Bronze Ryeway 93 IPL 16A - Rye Beer
Blue Pit Brewing (Mountain Home)
Bronze Ollie Brown 11A - English-Style Mild Ale
Boise Brewing (Boise) Bronze Moonbeam Amber Lager 3A - American-Style Amber Lager/California Common
Gold Jagged Shard 10G - Double/Imperial Red Ale
Gold Jagged Shard 10G - Double/Imperial Red Ale
Silver Black Cliffs 11K - American-Style Stout
Bombastic Brewing (Hayden)
Bronze Bombastic Brewing Murder 18G - Chili Beer
Citizen 33 (Driggs)
Silver Biere de Garde 14CD - Biere de Garde/Dubbel
Edge Brewing (Boise)
Bronze Orange Creamsicle (sweet Vodka Soda) 20E - Hard Soft Drinks (Sodas)
Gold Jamaican Punch 20E - Hard Soft Drinks (Sodas)
Gold Wildfire Cider 19E - Specialty (Flavored) Cider and Perry
Grand Teton Brewing (Victor)
Bronze Land of Many Waters Cold IPA 1D - Hoppy Pilsner
Highpoint Cider (Victor)
Gold Transplant 19B - Traditional Cider/Cidre
Silver Tram-Line 19E - Specialty (Flavored) Cider and Perry
Idaho Brewing Company (Idaho Falls)
Silver Where the sun don’t shine total eclipse porter 11B - English-Style Brown Ale
Gold Wolfs Oatmeal Stout 11I - Oatmeal Stout
Silver ESB 10AC - Ordinary Bitter Best Bitter Scottish/Style Ale Scottish-Style Export
Bronze Idaho Oktoberfest 3C - Märzen-Oktoberfest Lager
Loose Screw Beer Co. (Meridian)
Bronze Abeericano 18E - Coffee Beers
MickDuff’s Brewing Company (Sandpoint)
Silver NOHO IPA 12C - American-Style Strong Ale
Gold Knot Tree Porter 11E - Robust Porter
Mother Earth Brew Co. (Nampa)
Gold Heavy Cloud Hazy IPA 9B - Hazy or Juicy India Pale Ale
Gold Boo Koo IPA 7C - American-Style Strong Pale Ale
Payette Brewing (Boise) Silver Anytimers Greyhound 20F - Packaged Cocktails or Spritzers
Salmon River Brewery (McCall)
Silver Blonde Sabbath 14A - Belgian-Style Pale Ale
Bronze Fairy Dust 14G - Belgian-Style Dark Strong Ale
Silver Buzz Buzz Coffee Porter 18E - Coffee Beers
Sockeye Brewing (Boise)
Bronze Hopnoxious 8E - Double or Imperial India Pale Ale
Silver Powerhouse Porter 11D - Brown Porter
Silver Sockeye Hop Water 20I - Hop Water
Star Route Brewery (Pocatello)
Bronze Backstrap Black Ale 11F - Cascadian Style Dark Ale American Black Ale
Trails End Brewery (Coeur d’Alene)
Gold Half-A-Bison Hefeweizen 13C - Bavarian-Style Wheat Beer
Wildlife Brewing (Victor)
Gold Mighty Bison Brown Ale 11C - American-Style Brown Ale