April is Idaho Craft Beer Month. So is every month, frankly. But since someone bothered to make it official, it’s important to honor that effort and grab a beer.
With the weather warming and the days getting longer, we can thank that unknown person for choosing April. Particularly here in the Gem State – anywhere, really – this is the time of year to get outside and enjoy the sun.
So, let’s make it official. Celebrate Idaho Craft Beer Month by getting outside at one of these five Idaho breweries. Each one not only provides great Idaho beer, but a great outdoor space in which to enjoy it.
Payette Brewing Company
733 South Pioneer Street, Boise | 208.344.0011
One of the Boise biggies, Payette Brewery sits adjacent to the Boise River that runs through downtown, making it the perfect stop when you’re riding along the river on the 50-mile greenbelt bike path. Their 11,000-square-foot beer garden is open every day at noon, with a fire pit, bocce court, rotating food trucks and plenty of space to spread out. Make sure to rehydrate with a Recoil IPA after your ride.
Daft Badger Brewing
1710 North Second Street, Coeur d’Alene | 208.665.9892
Sitting outside at Daft Badger is like having a barbecue in the yard of your neighbors – and that always feels good. This 10-barrel brewery – Coeur d’Alene’s first, they say – is tucked away in a residential neighborhood, making for a low-key and convivial atmosphere. The food and beer is undoubtedly better than your neighbors, though – and you don’t have to clean up! Get the Final Mile Golden Ale to wash down their famous pulled-pork nachos.
Grand Teton Brewing
430 Old Jackson Highway, Victor | 888.899.1656
The brewery’s namesake is more closely associated with another Rocky Mountain state, but rest assured this 11,000-square-foot brewing facility sits squarely at the southern end of Idaho’s bucolic Teton Valley. Sure, the brewery first started 25 miles away in Jackson, Wyoming, but we think the beer tastes wonderful here, where you can sip Hoplexity IPA on the lawn while gazing up the backside of Grand Teton National Park.
Western Collective
111 West 33rd Street, Garden City | 208.999.0101
Idaho has a well-deserved reputation for beautiful natural scenery – but you won’t find that at Western Collective. However, you will find a vibrant outdoor beer garden that is a delightfully artsy light-industry experience. The food trucks and events change all the time, as does the refreshingly original beer – with every return you’ll discover something new. And get it while you can, because it might not be there when you come back, like the Best of the West Collab Series Double IPA, which was brewed in partnership with Seattle’s Georgetown Brewery.
Salmon River Brewery
411 Railroad Avenue, McCall | 208.634.4772
The rooftop patio at Salmon River Brewery is reason enough to hoist a pint here – the views of gleaming Payette Lake (nearly across the street) and the surrounding mountains are spectacular. The beer satisfies too – there’s an extensive tap list – including the highly regarded Blond Sabbath Belgian Blonde Ale. While it is still a little too chilly in this mountain town to dine on the upstairs patio (that will start closer to summer), you are welcome to head up there to enjoy a pint or two – in the April sun, even at 5,000 feet, it is the perfect place to be.
