Sawtooth Brewery | Hailey & Ketchum

Paul Holle, Head Brewer & CEO

What inspired you to brew beer?

“I was a long-time homebrewer and was surprised that Ketchum did not have a brewery. We started Sawtooth Brewery in Ketchum and later moved to Hailey. For us, it is all about the Idaho hops and barley, and we have the added benefit of great water in Hailey.”

What’s a favorite beer you’ve made using Idaho ingredients?

“We just launched Lost River Lager, which has been in the works for over a year, using all Idaho malt and hops. The beer is inspired by Idaho’s waterways that shape and connect the state, from recreation and travel to power and industry.

We were in search of a lighter lager to add to our lineup, and this Helles-style Lager delivers with only four ingredients: Big Wood River Water, Idaho Gem Craft Pilsner Malt from Mountain Malt in Idaho Falls, US Saaz hops grown in north Idaho and German Lager Yeast. It’s a great fit after a day of skiing or after a day at the river.”

What are your favorite Idaho ingredients to use in your brewing? 

“Idaho hops are our favorite ingredient. Malt is great but is limited due to the processing after harvest. With hops, we can work with local farmers, reduce our footprint and find ways to highlight new flavors and aromas.”

What do you see for the future of Idaho beer?

“We are excited about non-alcoholic beer coming to Idaho. We just launched Atmos Brewing Co., Idaho’s first non-alcoholic beers. The NA beer scene is growing, and we want to be known as the Idaho NA brand and showcase the great ingredients we have to the rest of the country.”

How would you describe the culture of Idaho craft beer?

“A lot of Idaho breweries are small and community-based, making local support so much more important.”

Gooding Farms | Parma

Michelle Gooding

Why did your family choose Idaho for your hop farm?

“In 1931, our great-grandfather, J.R. “Pud” Gooding, came through Idaho with great-grandma Cecilia. They traveled through Caldwell and she spoke of how nice the large trees were that shaded Caldwell Boulevard. Pud thought the area was the ideal environment for growing hops. In 1944, he moved to Idaho from Oregon, planting hops and building the hop dryer on the new farm.”

What makes Idaho unique for growing hops?

“In terms of latitude, Idaho is set at a good position. Hops grow based on the length of the day, and Idaho’s long, hot summer days are ideal for maximizing that growth.”

How do you collaborate with breweries to bring Idaho craft beer from farm to glass?

“During hop harvest each year, we have the opportunity to partner with local breweries through “fresh hop” beers. Within hours of the hops being harvested and collected in the dryer, they go straight into the brewer’s kettle. We also enjoy partnering with local breweries to try new hop varieties in pilot brews. Our hop “Idaho Gem” (Idaho Gem™ Brand ‘2012G01’ Variety) has been used in a variety of hazy or New England IPAs.”

What should people know about Idaho beer ingredients?

“Idaho is the second-largest producer of hops in the nation and the U.S. is the top producer in the world.”

How would you describe the culture of Idaho craft beer? Is there anything that sets our breweries and producers apart?

“Idaho brewers shine through their quality of beer and their creative, collaborative nature. There is a sense of team spirit between Idaho Brewers United and its members.”

Radio Brewing Company | Kellogg

Brendan Bonner

What inspired you to brew beer?

“Our beers are inspired by traditional styles. We’re also inspired by what Idaho is producing and the ease of acquiring Idaho ingredients.”

What’s a favorite beer you’ve made using Idaho ingredients?

“We created 43s for Me IPA as our 2021 Idaho Craft Beer Month release using all Idaho ingredients. The beer takes its name from Idaho being the 43rd state in the union. It has a thin body with a bit of sweetness from the honey and pilsner malt base, and it’s well-balanced with smooth, hop flavor from a combination of Idaho 7 and Cashmere hops.”

What do you see for the future of Idaho beer?

“Idaho is starting to gain traction on the national beer scene. With more breweries opening across the state, it forces everyone to up their game and create new and exciting beers.”

What should people know about Idaho beer ingredients?

“Having consistent, easy access to the freshest ingredients is something that will set Idaho breweries apart and give them a leg up on other areas where ingredients are much more difficult to obtain.”

Mashbill Malts | Nampa

Mike Wissel, Owner

What makes Idaho unique for growing malt?

“Idaho leads the nation in barley production and is one of four top malt barley producing states. With our irrigation systems and a dry climate, we produce very high-quality malt. Idaho also benefits from knowledge and research from programs like the USDA’s Small Grains and Potato Germplasm Research in Aberdeen, Idaho, where many new malt varieties have been developed and tested over the years.”

How do you collaborate with breweries to bring Idaho craft beer from farm to glass?

“I work with local brewers to bring them a high-quality malt that is malted in small batches, enabling them to capture unique flavor differences of varieties and local terroir.”

What should people know about Idaho beer ingredients?

“Many people know about hops as an important ingredient for beer; however, not many realize how important malt is as the main ingredient in beer. It takes between one-and-a-half to two pounds of malt to make a gallon of craft beer.”

Lone Mountain Farms | Athol

Emily Black, Owner/Operator

What inspired you to brew beer?

“We began as farmers — producing hops, grains and vegetables — and turned our passion of farming into brewing. We are inspired by historic methods, like the German tradition of brewing around local ingredients. We wanted to follow that same tradition and rely on local ingredients to bring the local flavors into the beer.”

What’s a favorite beer you’ve made using Idaho ingredients?

“Our Estate Munich (Brown or Altbier) — using 100% Lone Mountain Farms Munich malt and hops and fresh aquifer water — is full of rich, malty flavors and a representation of our farm’s terroir or natural environment.”

With all these innovative hop and barley farmers producing quality ingredients and inspiring new, exciting creations from a rapidly increasing number of breweries, it’s clear Idaho has everything it needs to create exceptional brews. So now, when you’re celebrating Idaho Craft Beer Month, you can raise your glass with the knowledge and pride of that beer being truly Idaho-grown.