Bottoms up for Idaho Craft Beer Month

By CHANSE WATSON

Managing Editor

The Silver Valley has its fair share of things that it is known for. On top of the long established ones such as mining and outdoor activities, the presence of three craft beer breweries has also made the area a craft beer destination in recent years.

With the calendar flipping to April, it’s once again time for these local breweries to join with others across the state and celebrate Idaho Craft Beer Month. Created by the Idaho Tourism Department and Idaho Brewers United, the monthlong event is meant to promote the more than 70 craft breweries throughout the state and generate tourism revenue.

Tap rooms from Boise to Bonners Ferry will once again be holding special events and sales all month to bring in the thirsty beer lovers from all around.

Here in Shoshone County, North Idaho Mountain Brewery, Radio Brewing Company and Wallace Brewing Company will be participating in the month’s first official event — “Pints Up Idaho” on Thursday.

Throughout the day, all three establishments will be providing patrons with a commemorative Idaho Craft Beer Month glass after they purchase a pint. This allows customers to not only enjoy a locally made beverage, but also leave with a reminder that they supported a local business.

Pints Up Idaho is sponsored by the Idaho Barley Commission and this year’s pint glass is designed in honor of that pivotal beer ingredient. IBU believes that the partnership with beer is a great fit as Idaho is the top barley producing state in the U.S., producing more than 53.5 million bushels of barley in 2018.

“Idaho is lucky to have such an abundance of locally grown ingredients to make delicious beer,” said Sheila Francis, IBU executive director. “Independent breweries and barley farmers go hand in hand. While craft beer accounts for less than 15 percent of all beer sold in the U.S., craft breweries are responsible for 40 percent of the malt used by brewers in the U.S. In addition to barley, Idaho is second in hops production. We really have it all right in our backyard.”

Chase Sanborn, Wallace Brewing’s owner and board member for Idaho Brewers United, says the craft beer month is a great event that helps both Idaho and the brewers. This makes sense since the industry is expanding more and more in the state.

“It’s not huge compared to a lot of states, but it’s getting bigger,” Sanborn said. “We’re still the No. 1 producer of malt barley and we’re now the No. 2 producer of hops (up from No. 3 just a year ago), so as far as the craft beer scene, Idaho is pretty important.”

To also celebrate the month, the city of Wallace will be hosting its second Craft Beer Pub Crawl on April 20 at 1 p.m.

Around 16 different breweries from around the region will descend upon the small mountain town and take up temporary residence in Wallace businesses to pour their own special brand of beer.

The Wallace Chamber of Commerce explains that attendees will start their craft brew journey at the Lucky Horseshoe Bar to register. There, they will get a souvenir Idaho Craft Beer Month glass, three 4-ounce beer fills, a wrist band and a venues and menus map. Free trolley rides will also be offered to venues.

For more information or to purchase tickets to the event, visit www.wallaceidahochamber.com.

As of Monday, participating breweries of the Wallace Craft Beer Pub Crawl include: Radio Brewing Co., North Idaho Mt. Brewing, Wallace Brewing Co., Belching Beaver, Grand Teton, Hidden Mother, Iron Goat, Jeremiah Johnson, Kettle House, McCall Brewing Co., Oskar Blues, Rants & Raves, Slate Creek (volunteers — no beers), Tricksters, MickDuffs and Bale Breaker.