Recommendations in Boise, ID (pt 2)

Payette. That's my fave out of the 3 I've tried/been to. 10 Barrel for food, though.

 

-Beer-centric places.
Bittercreek has the best taplist.
Taphouse is pretty good and has better prices, but the food isn't nearly as good.

My favorite brewery is hands down Woodland. They do the most innovative and modern stuff. Try the "TacoDilla" from Manfreds (restaurant in the back).

Payette is fine, they are a beautiful facility, but the beers are boring.
Barbarian does mainly sours, but IMO their sours are very one dimensional and overly acidic by a long shot.
People love to hate on 10 Barrel, but their beers are always great and the food is really good.
Boise Brewing has good beers, but are "safe" if that makes sense... They don't do a lot of super modern things, but their beers are all pretty tasty.

There are a fair amount of other breweries than the ones listed above, but don't have the time to outline now.

I have a ton of other insight too... Please feel free to hit me up. I will answer any specific questions.

 

It’s kind of shocking how middle of the road the beer is in Boise. Woodland might be the most “modern” brewery when it comes to brewing new “styles” but I’ve had so many seriously flawed beers from them I’ll never even think about going back or buying another can.

I’ll echo everything else that’s already been said.

Boise brewing dark beers are well executed. If you don’t care about supporting AB, 10 Barrel is the winner in that town when it comes to a cool space and decently excitedly beers across different styles.

It’s a bit of a wasteland. Especially if you’re coming from California. Folks lived there for 4 years, my best man lives there, I’m there all the time for work.. I never go to any brewery anymore.

There are a couple decent bottle shops but coming from CA you’re not going to find anything you can’t already get.

 

I pretty much agree with everything @JohnGalt1 said but I sometimes like Barbarian more than Woodland as it just depends on the tap lists. I went to Woodland last week and the taplist I thought was very boring and wasn't excited to try anything. They did have cans of Boule left, so that was great. Barbarian does offer 20 different taps, and sometimes has a great selection and now Calle 75 Street Tacos will walk food over too. I would hit them both up as they are so close to each other. Also Cloud 9 Brewery does have some really great food. Cloud 9 has some really great food, but the beer is a little bit lacking and standard.

Bittercreek is the must see of the list. Its a couple of miles away, but if you happen to be in SE Boise, Bier 30 is also pretty great. The 10 Barrel comments are spot on and I am always happy eating there. Lost Grove can be worth a shot just cause its next door to Madre, but I haven't been to either for since last year. I thought they have some potential so need to go back out at some point and they have a cool setup.

 

It really really is a ripe spot for someone to come and do that, and I could almost see an established out of state brewery opening up another location in Boise.

The fresh hop season is easily my favorite of the year, but Boise seems to lack a truly great brewery despite having everything you need. And we don't have a shortage of breweries. Was excited for the Works Progress Administration Brewery, but don't know if or when that will ever happen.

 

I picked up a couple BA bottles at Barbarian when I was up three or four years ago. They were quite tasty. IMHO, the idea that a brewery needs to knock my socks off everytime is a falicy. If a brewery is solid and consistent in the styles I gravitate to, I'll support 'em.

 

In regards to breweries, Barbarian is hands down my favorite local. As previously mentioned, Bittercreek for beer and food (classic poutine & beignets). As it looks you are from CA, do yourself a favor and don't order any Mexican food here, as you will almost guaranteed to be severely disappointed.

 

Being from Texas, Boise is basically a Mexican food purgatory. That said Funky Tacos downtown is really good, but its also not Mexican food.

 

Hey guys! Headed to Boise this weekend to run resort to rock 50k, so I'll need be in need of some refreshments after.

I've good Woodlands, Barbarian and Bittercreek on the list already, but probably gonna try to hit at least one or two more spots. Cloud 9, Lost Grove? Any good beer events this weekend? Any recommendations appreciated. Also, it doesn't have to be a brewery either I could use another good spot to grab a bite and a beer aside from Bittercreek (disclaimer I'm vegetarian).

Cheers!

 

If you have transport Bier:Thirty is a good option - their menu always includes a vegan plate and some vegetarian items.

 

Skip Cloud 9. Boise Brewing is in downtown too... nice solid beers.

Many restaurants have good vegetarian options. I like Wild Root Cafe, Tavola and probably Bardenay in that order. All are in downtown... Bardenay is a micro-distillery and generally has a pretty good beer selection.

 

Based on the one beer I had from Woodlands, courtesy of JohnGalt1,
Hoppy holi-Haze,
I'd second a recommendation.

 

Just found and read through this thread. Thanks for the info.

Any updates or new stuff? Will be there in early November.