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.
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