Boise brewing is awesome! We tried the whole sampling of beers and they are all really tasty. We loved the atmosphere, staff and the design of the place. The mugs on the wall are cool as well! It's great to have such a rooted, community supported brewery in Boise!
(5)
Mandee R.
I'm intrigued to go back when this place is hopping. We happened by late Sunday afternoon and were in the mood for a beer on our own mini beer crawl in downtown. We about had the place to ourselves. Cool space, it is actually a rather large space but the beer making station takes up about 3/4 of the bar. They had a few beers they brew on tap along with various others. We tried an IPA and a Porter and both hit the spot. They had a fun space upstairs with lounge chairs, some cards games and a fooseball table. They do not serve any food at the brewery but folks I talked to mentioned they have fun activities and games during the week for their patrons as well as some local food trucks that park nearby. They will also go pick up food orders for a $2.00 fee.
(4)
Jenny L.
I found myself rather amused while reading some of the negative reviews from other Yelpers about Boise Brewing. Comments criticizing the industrial warehouse atmosphere, the "cacophonous racket" of brewers doing their job in an open landscape, and the limited selection of beers make it apparent that there are people in the community who haven't fully grasped and appreciated the concept of a craft brewery and taproom. 1) Industrial warehouse atmosphere and open landscape: Boise Brewing is first and foremost a brewery. I believe any true beer enthusiast would relish the opportunity to "find the source" of the craft brews they so enjoy. Ordering a beer and knowing it was conceptualized and made literally feet from where it's being poured from the tap into my glass is truly thrilling. In addition, being able to witness the brewers brewing (and having fun while doing it!) and talking to the people making the product I'm consuming makes me feel connected to the process. However, if people wish for a more private and quiet experience, there is an upstairs seating area away from the brewing floor that doesn't seem to get much traffic. In addition, growler fills are available and affordable if patrons would rather take their beer elsewhere. 2) "Limited" selection of beers--This is perhaps the most laughable gripe of all. Boise Brewing is a local craft brewery, not a corporate conglomerate, meaning they have a small amount of space and fermenting tanks, and are limited on the number of kegs they can produce before they are affected by distribution laws. In spite of this, they currently feature five of their house-brewed staple beers (all of varying styles), as well as two or three guest taps from other regional breweries AND some wine selections. Seven or eight available draft craft beers (of high quality) plus a wine selection is more than what the average "bar" has available. While there are certainly locations in the area with a larger, more extensive beer list, there is something to be valued in getting the product from its source, as well as buying local. I thoroughly enjoyed my experience at Boise Brewing. Kathy, the "brew-tender," was very friendly, welcoming, and attentive. She gladly answered questions and happily offered samples of any beer I wanted to try. For patrons looking for a more formal lounge feel and a beer lineup from who knows where, this is perhaps not the place for you. However, if you are a beer enthusiast looking for a casual, informal, yet friendly atmosphere, a desire for a locally-made craft brew, and the openness to connect with those who make it then you are in for a good time. Have a pint, a flight (or both!), fill your growler and relax! You can even bring in your own food! Boise Brewing is a welcome addition to Boise's growing craft beer scene.
(4)
Ronald M.
Well done BB! Knowledgeable staff and frequent food trucks. Great vibe of place and patrons. M u st see firsthand! Lots of different kind of people congregate here. All united by great beer.
(5)
Nicole W.
Location is close to downtown, but not too close. Parking was do-able - even with a big rental car Outside patio is cute and small, but the giant doors make the inside kinda like being outdoors. The industrial look is cool, but also adds an annoying echo and loudness to the place. staff was friendly, there was at least one beer i could handle - i'm not an ipa fan (i know, the horror) but still something for me to enjoy! They have food trucks, but not food, but signs that different locations deliver... Also trader joes is near by, so grab some snacks on your way.
(3)
Roberta M.
If you are looking for a great in brewed beer in a low key place in Boise.... This is it!
(5)
Emily H.
Of all the breweries I visited in Boise I think this one had the best atmosphere. Definitely has that nanobrewery feel, with the brewing equipment adjacent to the seating areas. In addition to seating at the bar area, there is a bank of tables to the left on the main floor as well as additional seating upstairs. The tables and barstools appear to be made of reclaimed wood, cut in thick slabs and varnished to shine. We shared a few flights here. My favorite was the saison, which I thought was flavorful and smooth. They also have cornhole boards for anyone who wants to play bags. I also saw a sign for a Cards Against Humanity tournament. So no shortage of entertainment around here! No food is served here, but they were advertising for a food delivery service if you want to outsource some grub. In general I actually preferred the beers at the other breweries I visited. I'd give the beers a C+ and the atmosphere an A. Guess that gives them a B average, so 4 stars!
(4)
Alyse H.
The tasting room is great for good-weather days because they raise the garage door in the front so the fresh air blows through. The tables are separated from the brewing area by a railing, so you can see all the happenings of the brewing area while you are enjoying the beer. I had a Belgian and it was delicious. My hubby loved their IPA. They have had a couple of groupon deals lately, so be on the lookout for those if you are planning to hit this spot up.
(4)
Justin H.
I hope it was an off night, but everything about this experience soured me to Boise Brewing. The ambiance - I don't think I exactly hate it as much as other Yelpers, but totally agree that it's kind of odd. I think they're going for this industrial look, which is executed by seating people amongst the brewing tanks and equipment. While this might look cool (not to me, but maybe others?), the result is being seated near people who are working, up on ladders, dumping grain into giant brew kettles, sometimes shouting, laughing, high-fiving, shrieking... it was cacophonous to say the least. I don't think the industrial thing did anything for me aesthetically, so it really just resulted in a loud and distracting environment in which we tried to relax over beer. The service - Service was alright, but at times overbearing (like, we just told you moments ago that we were fine with just tasting phlights) to non-existent (where are you? you were just incessantly bugging me...). Actually, because I couldn't find someone to give my card to, I went to the bar and waited while two people BSed with other customers. When someone did finally notice me, he took my card and gave it to someone else. That person proceeded to perform each individual function of running a card, with customer chit-chat in-between. They didn't realize I was standing there, watching the whole time. So this woman looks at the name on the card, then chats with customers, then turns the card over, looking at it front and back, then chats with customers, then swipes the card, then chats with customers, then picks up the receipt, chats, puts it on the little black receipt / card holder, chats more, then proceeds to walk past me as I'm trying to intercept her to get my card, but she can't notice me because she's chatting with customers. When she realized that I had observed all of this, she immediately looked guilty. As if she'd been busted doing something wrong, she sort of got a little hysterical and defensive. In a loud, shrill voice, she started rambling about how unnerving / unsettling it is to be up on the ladder (what ladder?!?), being asked to plug things in (what things?!?!? we never saw her on a ladder during our whole visit). The rest of the night, as we tried other breweries, we kept laughing about how unnerving it is to be asked to unplug things while on "the ladder." I feel bad writing about this, because I don't necessarily want to pick on the woman, but her behavior made me think she'd either been drinking too much or isn't totally up on her customer service skills. Finally, the beer - Even a little buzzed, I had the hardest time choking down every single brew. The closest I came to enjoyment was either the pale or the IPA, but we almost totally disliked everything we tried and would never pay for another beer from them. Again, I'm not trying to be a jerk about it; the truth is, the beer just wasn't fit to drink. Kilted Dragon, you've got some competition for worst beer in Boise.
(1)
Alex O.
A neat place which is a cool addition to the rapidly growing beer scene in Boise. I keep telling people that this town is really coming around and this place is a good piece of supporting evidence! Yeah, it's a taproom in an industrial space with tables made of varnished 2x4s, but to a man of my sensibilities (which I dare say are common to Boise) this only a plus. The negative review here seems to have missed the point of... well... Idaho. Beer is good though not spectacular- but it's a new brewery and they are off to a fine start. I had the IPA, which though nicely floral and crisp, lacked the real punch of the better Portland and Seattle IPAs. I look forward to returning and trying a wider variety of the beers!
(5)
Danny V.
This place is awesome. It's a true taproom bar with all of the brewing facilities located in the same big open space. The staff is really nice and the history of how the place came to be is pretty awesome. I don't know what one of the other reviewers is talking about, because I have never noticed any weird smells. Also, I really like the furniture (which was made by one of the part-owners of the bar). The beers are great and reasonably priced, with a new brew coming out each month. Their membership program is also pretty slick, growler fills for an entire year and they give you a double walled stainless steel high quality growler. Overall, I highly recommend this brewery.
(5)
Cooper R.
Very impressed with the brews here. My wife and I have found our go to spot for a nice cold beverage and a great atmosphere. Ode to the pimp is mighty tasty, can't wait to go back!
(5)
Rose R.
Hip Check IPA is a very piney all the way through. The wines on tap are local and allow a non-beer drinker to participate. Industrial atmosphere a very brewery feel. The upstairs and downstairs with garage for front door are not to be misunderstood. Very nice place to drink a bit and have some fun! Bartenders and revelers are all here for the same thing. A good time and it happened to us all.
(4)
French C.
I'm only giving Boise Brewing a 2 instead of a 4 because of the bartenders and patrons. Let me start out with that I love BB beer! It is top notch and we've been there numerous times and have bought 3-4 group-on deals for them. But tonight was not good. Tonight the bartenders were too busy drinking beer shots and celebrating to get us a beer or even ask us what we wanted. The one bartender was busy but the other kept looking at us and kept drinking his beer. Then when the other got done serving her next beer, told us it would be a few minutes and proceeded to do a beer shot with the other bartender and friends. After that we were finally greeted and eventually served. I am of the notion that the customer should be served first before the people on the clock drink beer, but that's just me. Then at the end of our time there I brought our beer glasses up to the bar so as to help out the waitstaff. All I got was a bunch of territorial patrons that just stared at me. I guess I could have been an ass and just left them out side. Hopefully the bartenders change before the next time we're there, they really spoiled our time there.
(2)
Grant R.
This is a really strange concept poorly executed. After all the talk of it being a community-supported brewery (what does that even mean?), this is a real disappointment. It smells like grandpa's back shed and looks like a dirty factory inside. Half the space is beer vats and the rest is filled with basic homemade furniture. The beer selection is limited and the brews taste average at best. The wait staff was nice and friendly which is appreciated. Any bar selling beer in Boise is better than this place. I really have no reason to return and probably never will. Again, I really expected more. I think the original name BOGUS BREWING was a much better representation of this concept. It's definitely BOGUS.
(2)
Dede S.
Came to see our favorite band Blaze & Kelly and there was a private party going on with a sign blocking off all seats except upstairs and bar. Nicole did not know there was a private party going on and probably won't be paid for a private party price. Hope they get private party price!!! That's just wrong, won't be back!
Megan Q.
Boise brewing is awesome! We tried the whole sampling of beers and they are all really tasty. We loved the atmosphere, staff and the design of the place. The mugs on the wall are cool as well! It's great to have such a rooted, community supported brewery in Boise!
(5)Mandee R.
I'm intrigued to go back when this place is hopping. We happened by late Sunday afternoon and were in the mood for a beer on our own mini beer crawl in downtown. We about had the place to ourselves. Cool space, it is actually a rather large space but the beer making station takes up about 3/4 of the bar. They had a few beers they brew on tap along with various others. We tried an IPA and a Porter and both hit the spot. They had a fun space upstairs with lounge chairs, some cards games and a fooseball table. They do not serve any food at the brewery but folks I talked to mentioned they have fun activities and games during the week for their patrons as well as some local food trucks that park nearby. They will also go pick up food orders for a $2.00 fee.
(4)Jenny L.
I found myself rather amused while reading some of the negative reviews from other Yelpers about Boise Brewing. Comments criticizing the industrial warehouse atmosphere, the "cacophonous racket" of brewers doing their job in an open landscape, and the limited selection of beers make it apparent that there are people in the community who haven't fully grasped and appreciated the concept of a craft brewery and taproom. 1) Industrial warehouse atmosphere and open landscape: Boise Brewing is first and foremost a brewery. I believe any true beer enthusiast would relish the opportunity to "find the source" of the craft brews they so enjoy. Ordering a beer and knowing it was conceptualized and made literally feet from where it's being poured from the tap into my glass is truly thrilling. In addition, being able to witness the brewers brewing (and having fun while doing it!) and talking to the people making the product I'm consuming makes me feel connected to the process. However, if people wish for a more private and quiet experience, there is an upstairs seating area away from the brewing floor that doesn't seem to get much traffic. In addition, growler fills are available and affordable if patrons would rather take their beer elsewhere. 2) "Limited" selection of beers--This is perhaps the most laughable gripe of all. Boise Brewing is a local craft brewery, not a corporate conglomerate, meaning they have a small amount of space and fermenting tanks, and are limited on the number of kegs they can produce before they are affected by distribution laws. In spite of this, they currently feature five of their house-brewed staple beers (all of varying styles), as well as two or three guest taps from other regional breweries AND some wine selections. Seven or eight available draft craft beers (of high quality) plus a wine selection is more than what the average "bar" has available. While there are certainly locations in the area with a larger, more extensive beer list, there is something to be valued in getting the product from its source, as well as buying local. I thoroughly enjoyed my experience at Boise Brewing. Kathy, the "brew-tender," was very friendly, welcoming, and attentive. She gladly answered questions and happily offered samples of any beer I wanted to try. For patrons looking for a more formal lounge feel and a beer lineup from who knows where, this is perhaps not the place for you. However, if you are a beer enthusiast looking for a casual, informal, yet friendly atmosphere, a desire for a locally-made craft brew, and the openness to connect with those who make it then you are in for a good time. Have a pint, a flight (or both!), fill your growler and relax! You can even bring in your own food! Boise Brewing is a welcome addition to Boise's growing craft beer scene.
(4)Ronald M.
Well done BB! Knowledgeable staff and frequent food trucks. Great vibe of place and patrons. M u st see firsthand! Lots of different kind of people congregate here. All united by great beer.
(5)Nicole W.
Location is close to downtown, but not too close. Parking was do-able - even with a big rental car Outside patio is cute and small, but the giant doors make the inside kinda like being outdoors. The industrial look is cool, but also adds an annoying echo and loudness to the place. staff was friendly, there was at least one beer i could handle - i'm not an ipa fan (i know, the horror) but still something for me to enjoy! They have food trucks, but not food, but signs that different locations deliver... Also trader joes is near by, so grab some snacks on your way.
(3)Roberta M.
If you are looking for a great in brewed beer in a low key place in Boise.... This is it!
(5)Emily H.
Of all the breweries I visited in Boise I think this one had the best atmosphere. Definitely has that nanobrewery feel, with the brewing equipment adjacent to the seating areas. In addition to seating at the bar area, there is a bank of tables to the left on the main floor as well as additional seating upstairs. The tables and barstools appear to be made of reclaimed wood, cut in thick slabs and varnished to shine. We shared a few flights here. My favorite was the saison, which I thought was flavorful and smooth. They also have cornhole boards for anyone who wants to play bags. I also saw a sign for a Cards Against Humanity tournament. So no shortage of entertainment around here! No food is served here, but they were advertising for a food delivery service if you want to outsource some grub. In general I actually preferred the beers at the other breweries I visited. I'd give the beers a C+ and the atmosphere an A. Guess that gives them a B average, so 4 stars!
(4)Alyse H.
The tasting room is great for good-weather days because they raise the garage door in the front so the fresh air blows through. The tables are separated from the brewing area by a railing, so you can see all the happenings of the brewing area while you are enjoying the beer. I had a Belgian and it was delicious. My hubby loved their IPA. They have had a couple of groupon deals lately, so be on the lookout for those if you are planning to hit this spot up.
(4)Justin H.
I hope it was an off night, but everything about this experience soured me to Boise Brewing. The ambiance - I don't think I exactly hate it as much as other Yelpers, but totally agree that it's kind of odd. I think they're going for this industrial look, which is executed by seating people amongst the brewing tanks and equipment. While this might look cool (not to me, but maybe others?), the result is being seated near people who are working, up on ladders, dumping grain into giant brew kettles, sometimes shouting, laughing, high-fiving, shrieking... it was cacophonous to say the least. I don't think the industrial thing did anything for me aesthetically, so it really just resulted in a loud and distracting environment in which we tried to relax over beer. The service - Service was alright, but at times overbearing (like, we just told you moments ago that we were fine with just tasting phlights) to non-existent (where are you? you were just incessantly bugging me...). Actually, because I couldn't find someone to give my card to, I went to the bar and waited while two people BSed with other customers. When someone did finally notice me, he took my card and gave it to someone else. That person proceeded to perform each individual function of running a card, with customer chit-chat in-between. They didn't realize I was standing there, watching the whole time. So this woman looks at the name on the card, then chats with customers, then turns the card over, looking at it front and back, then chats with customers, then swipes the card, then chats with customers, then picks up the receipt, chats, puts it on the little black receipt / card holder, chats more, then proceeds to walk past me as I'm trying to intercept her to get my card, but she can't notice me because she's chatting with customers. When she realized that I had observed all of this, she immediately looked guilty. As if she'd been busted doing something wrong, she sort of got a little hysterical and defensive. In a loud, shrill voice, she started rambling about how unnerving / unsettling it is to be up on the ladder (what ladder?!?), being asked to plug things in (what things?!?!? we never saw her on a ladder during our whole visit). The rest of the night, as we tried other breweries, we kept laughing about how unnerving it is to be asked to unplug things while on "the ladder." I feel bad writing about this, because I don't necessarily want to pick on the woman, but her behavior made me think she'd either been drinking too much or isn't totally up on her customer service skills. Finally, the beer - Even a little buzzed, I had the hardest time choking down every single brew. The closest I came to enjoyment was either the pale or the IPA, but we almost totally disliked everything we tried and would never pay for another beer from them. Again, I'm not trying to be a jerk about it; the truth is, the beer just wasn't fit to drink. Kilted Dragon, you've got some competition for worst beer in Boise.
(1)Alex O.
A neat place which is a cool addition to the rapidly growing beer scene in Boise. I keep telling people that this town is really coming around and this place is a good piece of supporting evidence! Yeah, it's a taproom in an industrial space with tables made of varnished 2x4s, but to a man of my sensibilities (which I dare say are common to Boise) this only a plus. The negative review here seems to have missed the point of... well... Idaho. Beer is good though not spectacular- but it's a new brewery and they are off to a fine start. I had the IPA, which though nicely floral and crisp, lacked the real punch of the better Portland and Seattle IPAs. I look forward to returning and trying a wider variety of the beers!
(5)Danny V.
This place is awesome. It's a true taproom bar with all of the brewing facilities located in the same big open space. The staff is really nice and the history of how the place came to be is pretty awesome. I don't know what one of the other reviewers is talking about, because I have never noticed any weird smells. Also, I really like the furniture (which was made by one of the part-owners of the bar). The beers are great and reasonably priced, with a new brew coming out each month. Their membership program is also pretty slick, growler fills for an entire year and they give you a double walled stainless steel high quality growler. Overall, I highly recommend this brewery.
(5)Cooper R.
Very impressed with the brews here. My wife and I have found our go to spot for a nice cold beverage and a great atmosphere. Ode to the pimp is mighty tasty, can't wait to go back!
(5)Rose R.
Hip Check IPA is a very piney all the way through. The wines on tap are local and allow a non-beer drinker to participate. Industrial atmosphere a very brewery feel. The upstairs and downstairs with garage for front door are not to be misunderstood. Very nice place to drink a bit and have some fun! Bartenders and revelers are all here for the same thing. A good time and it happened to us all.
(4)French C.
I'm only giving Boise Brewing a 2 instead of a 4 because of the bartenders and patrons. Let me start out with that I love BB beer! It is top notch and we've been there numerous times and have bought 3-4 group-on deals for them. But tonight was not good. Tonight the bartenders were too busy drinking beer shots and celebrating to get us a beer or even ask us what we wanted. The one bartender was busy but the other kept looking at us and kept drinking his beer. Then when the other got done serving her next beer, told us it would be a few minutes and proceeded to do a beer shot with the other bartender and friends. After that we were finally greeted and eventually served. I am of the notion that the customer should be served first before the people on the clock drink beer, but that's just me. Then at the end of our time there I brought our beer glasses up to the bar so as to help out the waitstaff. All I got was a bunch of territorial patrons that just stared at me. I guess I could have been an ass and just left them out side. Hopefully the bartenders change before the next time we're there, they really spoiled our time there.
(2)Grant R.
This is a really strange concept poorly executed. After all the talk of it being a community-supported brewery (what does that even mean?), this is a real disappointment. It smells like grandpa's back shed and looks like a dirty factory inside. Half the space is beer vats and the rest is filled with basic homemade furniture. The beer selection is limited and the brews taste average at best. The wait staff was nice and friendly which is appreciated. Any bar selling beer in Boise is better than this place. I really have no reason to return and probably never will. Again, I really expected more. I think the original name BOGUS BREWING was a much better representation of this concept. It's definitely BOGUS.
(2)Dede S.
Came to see our favorite band Blaze & Kelly and there was a private party going on with a sign blocking off all seats except upstairs and bar. Nicole did not know there was a private party going on and probably won't be paid for a private party price. Hope they get private party price!!! That's just wrong, won't be back!
(2)