Craft Breweries, Distilleries, and Wineries That Put Idaho on the Map
Just a short drive north of Boise, nestled in the charming town of McCall, you’ll find Payette Brewing Company, a cornerstone of Idaho’s craft beer scene. About 90 minutes north on scenic Highway 55, McCall offers not just a brewery but an experience that blends mountain town hospitality with robust, inventive brews. Payette’s brewpub stands out for its use of local ingredients and its commitment to sustainability. Visitors can sample their signature Snake Bite IPA while gazing out at the snow-capped peaks of the surrounding mountains. During the summer, the outdoor patio fills with hikers and anglers, making it the perfect post-adventure unwind spot. In winter, the cozy interior with its rustic wood accents invites guests to savor a rich porter after a day of skiing at nearby Brundage Mountain Resort.
Heading east towards Coeur d’Alene, about 30 minutes from the city’s bustling downtown, you’ll find the thriving craft scene concentrated around the historic Sherman Avenue district. One gem here is the 49th State Brewing Co., where the industrial-chic space pays homage to the ruggedness of the Idaho Panhandle. The brewery’s unique selling point is its use of Kootenai River water filtered through ancient volcanic rock, lending a distinctive crispness to its lagers and stouts. Visitors can tour the facility and enjoy a rooftop patio with expansive views of Lake Coeur d’Alene, especially breathtaking in the golden hours of late afternoon. Seasonal releases often reflect the changing landscape, such as their vibrant pumpkin ales enjoyed during the colorful fall months.
Over near Sandpoint, roughly 90 minutes northeast of Coeur d’Alene, Priest Lake Brewery combines craft beer with breathtaking wilderness. Situated in a town famed for outdoor recreation, the brewery offers a laid-back vibe where visitors can pair their brews with views of Priest Lake’s deep blue waters. The brewery’s pale ale is a favorite, brewed with locally sourced hops that capture the piney essence of northern Idaho’s forests. The best time to visit is late spring through early fall when you can hike the Priest Lake Trail or kayak along the shoreline before settling in for a cold one on the patio. The blend of pristine nature and handcrafted beer here is hard to beat.
For a taste of Idaho’s burgeoning craft distillery scene, head to Moscow, a lively college town about 80 miles north of Boise near the Washington border. The Moscow Distillery is renowned for its artisanal approach, creating vodka and gin with grains grown right in the Palouse region’s rolling hills. Visitors can tour the copper stills and sample their flagship products in a tasting room that feels both intimate and educational. The distillery’s gin stands out for its use of wild botanicals harvested from nearby forests, providing layers of pine, citrus, and spice. Springtime visits bring wildflowers to the surrounding trails, making the distillery stop part of a larger exploration of the Palouse’s rolling farmland and wooded bluffs.
In the heart of downtown Boise’s historic Old Idaho Penitentiary district, you’ll find the Idaho Wine Commission’s tasting room, where Idaho’s emerging wine culture is on vivid display. Situated about a 10-minute drive from the Boise State University campus, this spot showcases wines from across the state’s diverse wine regions, including the Snake River Valley and Lewis-Clark Valley. The tasting room features rotating selections of cold-hardy varietals like Riesling and Cabernet Franc, reflecting Idaho’s unique climate and terroir. Visiting in late summer offers an added bonus as the vineyards are lush and the winemakers are often nearby for conversation. The proximity to the penitentiary museum means you can pair your tasting with a dose of Idaho history, making for a uniquely layered excursion.
Further south, in the fertile Snake River Valley, the town of Nampa—about 20 minutes west of Boise—hosts the Eighth Street Market, a lively hub for local food and drink producers. Here, the 10 Barrel Brewing Company has made a name for itself with bold IPAs and rich porters that highlight Idaho hops and malt. This urban brewery’s large, airy taproom buzzes on weekend evenings with locals and visitors alike. Nearby, the Snake River Winery offers tastings that focus on the valley’s rich volcanic soils, which impart a mineral backbone to their Syrah and Chardonnay. The market and paired tasting rooms thrive in the warm months when outdoor seating spills onto the street, creating a convivial atmosphere that connects Idaho’s craft beverage community with its agricultural roots.
On the eastern edge of Idaho, just over an hour’s drive south from Coeur d’Alene, the small town of Post Falls has quietly become a distilling hotspot with Harmans’ Distillery. Known for its rye whiskey, distilled in small batches from locally milled grain, Harmans’ crafts a spirit with a rich, peppery character that reflects the region’s heritage. Visitors can enjoy tours that explain the meticulous aging process and sample flights that introduce the nuances of barrel char and mash bills. Fall is a particularly magical time to visit, as the nearby Post Falls City Park displays brilliant foliage and the cool air heightens the whiskey’s warming qualities.
Driving through the Wood River Valley near Ketchum, about two hours east of Boise, you’ll find the Sawtooth Winery, set against the backdrop of the majestic Sawtooth Mountains. This boutique winery specializes in cool-climate grapes that thrive in the valley’s high elevation and crisp air. The tasting room offers panoramic views of the mountains, best appreciated during late spring when wildflowers carpet the hillsides. Sawtooth’s Rieslings and Pinot Noirs capture the delicate balance of acidity and fruit that high-altitude vineyards provide. After a wine tasting, visitors can explore the nearby Sun Valley Resort trails or the scenic Sawtooth National Recreation Area, making for a day that blends outdoor adventure with refined indulgence.
Each of these places offers a different lens into Idaho’s craft beverage world, grounded in distinct geography and community. From mountain lake towns to river valley vineyards, Idaho’s breweries, distilleries, and wineries invite travelers to sip their way through some of the state’s most beautiful and diverse landscapes. Whether you’re drawn by a crisp IPA, a rich whiskey, or a fragrant Riesling, you’ll find that the flavor of Idaho is inseparable from the places where it’s made.