Bear Island Beer: Where To Buy And Enjoy It

Bear Island Brewing Co. is a veteran-owned brewery located in Boise, Idaho. It was established in a two-car garage by CEO and CBO Beth Bechtel, a former Navy member, making it one of the few female-veteran-owned breweries in the country. The brewery is known for its flagship beer, the Idaho Potato Ale, which was invented by Bechtel during her deployment in the Middle East. In addition to its creative recipes and unique perspective, Bear Island Brewing Co. is also appreciated for its sense of community and family. The taproom, Firehouse 2 Brewhouse, is housed in an old Boise firehouse and is dedicated to honouring first responders. While the brewery currently does not have a functioning website, updates can be found on its social media pages.

Bear Island Brewing Co. in Boise, ID

The brewery is located at 1620 N Liberty St, Boise, and can be contacted via email at brewster@bearislandbrewing.com. While their website is currently under construction, you can stay updated with their latest offerings and news by following their social media platforms.

Bear Island Brewing Co. offers a diverse range of beers, including seasonal and limited-edition brews. Their portfolio includes the Idaho® Potato Ale, a unique take on the American IPA, as well as the Christmas in Your Mouth Winter Warmer, a festive brew with subtle spice notes. Other notable mentions are the BearFaced Brown, a brown ale, and the Lady M, an imperial lavender chocolate stout.

You can find their beers at various establishments in Boise and beyond, including Magnolia Beer + Wine Bar, Dusty Rose Reserve, CopenRoss Crafthouse & Grill, and Das Alpenhaus Delikatessen LLC. Their beers have gained recognition, with patrons earning badges for their choices, such as the Cheers to Independent U.S. Craft Breweries and the Land of the Free.

Veteran-owned and operated

Bear Island Brewing Co. is a veteran-owned and operated brewery based in Boise, Idaho. The company was founded by Beth Bechtel, a US Navy veteran, and her husband Steve. During her time in the Navy, Beth developed a love for different beers from around the world. However, upon returning home to Idaho, she noticed a lack of local beers available in grocery stores. This inspired her to start her own brewery, making Bear Island one of the few female-veteran-owned breweries in the country.

Beth's military background and resourceful nature have influenced her approach to brewing and business operations. She draws on her military training and one of her favourite sayings, "slow is smooth, smooth is fast", to guide her work. The company started small, with Beth and Steve running the brewery out of their garage. This allowed them to grow the business without incurring debt and focus on the quality of their beer.

Idaho's most famous crop, potatoes, also play a significant role in the story of Bear Island Brewing Co. Beth's first brew, the Idaho Potato Ale, was created while she was deployed in the Middle East. Running low on barley, she substituted it with potatoes, which were readily available in the local markets. This inventive spirit and use of local ingredients continue to be a hallmark of Bear Island Brewing Co.'s approach to crafting unique beers.

The company's taproom and brewhouse, Firehouse 2 Brewhouse, is located in an old Boise firehouse. This space is intended to be a community haven that honours first responders. Bear Island Brewing Co. is committed to staying "purposefully small" to focus on brewing quality beer and serving the community. Their beers, such as Lady M (an imperial lavender chocolate stout) and Carriage Ride (an imperial Belgian-style pumpkin ale), are crafted with locally sourced Idaho produce, further showcasing their dedication to their community and state.

Bear Island's flagship beer

Bear Island Brewing Co. in Boise, Idaho, is a small, veteran-owned brewery that was established in a two-car garage. Its flagship beer is the Idaho Potato Ale, invented by CEO and CBO Beth Bechtel while she was deployed in the Middle East.

Bechtel, a female veteran and entrepreneur, drew inspiration from her Idaho roots to create the Idaho Potato Ale. She substituted potatoes, Idaho's number one crop, for barley when she ran out of the latter. The beer is an American Pale Ale that combines US Cascade and Amarillo hops with native British Boadicea hops. It features light caramel notes and a robust bitterness, with citrus, pine, and fruit aromas.

Bear Island Brewing Co. is committed to using local ingredients and building relationships with nearby businesses. Their brews, such as the imperial lavender chocolate stout "Lady M" and the imperial Belgian-style pumpkin ale "Carriage Ride," are crafted with Idaho produce. The brewery's taproom, "Firehouse 2 Brewhouse," will be housed in an old Boise firehouse, honouring first responders and serving as a community haven.

While Bear Island Brewing Co. is dedicated to staying purposefully small to focus on quality, their beers are gaining recognition. The Idaho Potato Ale, in particular, has garnered attention for its unique use of potatoes as a replacement starch.

Bear Island's taproom

Bear Island Taproom

A Community Haven

At Bear Island Brewing, we're all about community. Our taproom, Firehouse 2 Brewhouse, is located in an old Boise firehouse, and we've made it a space that honours our first responders. We're proud to be a community haven, bringing people together over a shared love of craft beer.

Our Story

Bear Island Brewing was established by Beth Bechtel, a female veteran with an entrepreneurial spirit. After her career in the Navy, she felt called to start her own brewery, and so Bear Island Brewing was born, right here in Boise, Idaho. We're a small but proud veteran-owned brewery, and we believe that good things come in small packages. Our unique perspective and creative recipes set us apart, and we're constantly inspired by our resourceful nature and dedication to our community.

Our Beer

Our flagship beer, the Idaho Potato Ale, is a testament to our Idaho roots. It was invented by Beth when she was deployed in the Middle East and had to get creative with the local ingredients. Our other offerings include fun and unique brews like Lady M, an imperial lavender chocolate stout, and Carriage Ride, an imperial Belgian-style pumpkin ale. We also have a range of seasonal beers, like Christmas in Your Mouth, a winter warmer that's perfect for the holidays.

The Taproom Experience

When you step into our taproom, you'll find a cosy and inviting space that feels like a home away from home. We offer a rotating selection of our craft beers on tap, with options to suit every taste. Whether you're a fan of light and crisp lagers or bold and robust stouts, we've got something for you. Our knowledgeable staff are always happy to help you find your new favourite brew and can provide recommendations based on your preferences.

In addition to our beer, we also offer a small but carefully curated menu of snacks and sharing plates that pair perfectly with our brews. From soft pretzels and charcuterie boards to local cheeses and fresh-baked bread, we've got everything you need for a satisfying afternoon or evening. So come on in, pull up a chair, and join the Bear Island family. We can't wait to welcome you!

Bear Island's unique perspective

Bear Island Brewing Company, also known as Boise's Biggest Little Brewery, is a unique veteran-owned brewery with a fascinating story. Founded by Beth Bechtel, a female veteran and entrepreneur at heart, the brewery started in a two-car garage, showcasing that great things often come in small packages.

Bechtel's creativity and resourcefulness, influenced by her background in the Navy, played a pivotal role in shaping Bear Island's perspective and journey. Her experience in the Middle East led to the invention of their flagship beer, the Idaho Potato Ale. While deployed, Bechtel ran out of barley and, drawing on her Idaho roots, used potatoes as a replacement starch, creating a unique brew with local ingredients.

The brewery's focus on community and family is evident, with many of Bechtel's relatives helping out. Bear Island strives to utilise local ingredients and build relationships with nearby businesses, such as Red Chair Lavender Farms and Wagner Farms, to create fun and craft brews like Lady M and Carriage Ride. Their appreciation for community is further reflected in their plans to open a brewhouse and taproom in an old Boise firehouse, honouring first responders.

While growth is inevitable with the upcoming brewhouse expansion, Bear Island remains committed to staying "purposefully small." This dedication ensures they can continue to prioritise brewing quality beer and serving their community, embodying the spirit of "Boise's Biggest Little Brewery." Bear Island's journey and perspective, shaped by Bechtel's military background and entrepreneurial spirit, make it a truly distinctive brewery.

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