Forget rocket fuel — Idaho’s boldest beers, wines and spirits are the real interstellar experience
The rich and famous don’t know what they’re doing. While celebs and moneyed individuals increasingly opt to visit outer space via expensive private rocket ships, the rest of us go the sensible route — we visit Craters of the Moon National Monument & Preserve. Easily one of Idaho’s coolest draws (and that’s saying something, as there are many), the other-worldly expanse looks like it was pulled straight from the surface of Mars. It’s like a volcanic dessert, the aftermath of some serious geological events.
We’re raising a glass to this singular place with some equally singular beverages from the Gem State. These drinks are so out there that it seems like they could have only been devised on another planet. Turns out, they were just made in Idaho, hope to a creative and vibrant beverage scene.
Set in the capital, Payette Brewing has long been a leading force in Idaho’s impressive craft circuit. One of the more far-reaching beers in the brand’s picture is called 12 Gauge. It’s made to mimic horchata, a barrel-aged imperial stout treated to cinnamon and vanilla. Pour it over some ice cream or sip it on its own as a proper nightcap. Regardless, you’ll be enjoying an original dark beer.
Split Rail All The Beautiful Horses
This offering is one of many intriguing ones from Split Rail, a winery based in the outskirts of Boise in Garden City. It’s essentially a sparkling Roussanne, a white grape hailing from the Rhône that traditionally blended. In this case, it’s disgorged and topped with a golden ale, fermented with Brett and aged in barrels. A little nutty, a little tart, wonderfully funky.
Sockeye Brewing Hollow Bones Currants
Award-winning brewery Sockeye has spots in both Boise and Garden City. While they make bang-up versions of conventional beers like IPAs and lagers, they also have a remarkable barrel-aged program. The Hollow Bones Currants is an imperial pilsner treated to locally-foraged black, gold, and red currants. It’s beaming in the glass and offers a nice bit of fruit and yeast on top of the grain-like elements.
Southwestern Idaho’s unique climate makes it fertile ground for all kinds of captivating wine grape varieties. Snake River Winery boasts everything from Albarino and Arneis to Montepulciano. One of the most fascinating offerings is the Zweigelt, a unique red originally from Austria. It’s bright, showing lots of red fruit and more layers than you might imagine. Try it with spicy takeout or give it a slight chill on a warm summer evening, preferably on vacation in Idaho.
Up North Distillery North Idaho Pine Liqueur
Considered the gateway to beautiful northern Idaho, Post Falls is also where Up North Distillery resides. The label makes spirits from honey as well as whiskey from Idaho grains. Then there’s the limited release stuff, like the North Idaho Pine Liqueur. It’s made with hand-foraged pine cones from local White Pine trees. These little morsels are full of sap, which is extracted and put into some brandy along with a touch of honey. The result? A mountainous mixer that can inject your Old Fashioned with a crisp alpine breeze.
Hive & Pine Manhattan
Ingredients
2 oz Up North Distillery Barrel Reserve Honey Spirits
¼ oz North Idaho Pine Liqueur
½ oz Sweet Vermouth
2 dashes of orange bitters
2 dashes of aromatic bitters
Direction
Combine ingredients into a mixing glass and stir for 30 seconds. Strain into a couple glass. Garnish with Bordeaux cherry
