Distilled

Distilled

Idaho has a long and sometimes complicated relationship with alcohol. From humble beginnings as the site of the Inland Northwest's first vineyard in 1864 to today's microbrewery boom, the scene has flourished in recent years. It hasn't been without growing pains, though.

Idaho's attempts to regulate booze have sparked fierce debate from seeds to sips and have left some questioning who they benefit.

Join Boise State Public Radio the week of January 22 for Morning Edition as we explore how the alcohol industry has evolved over the past century and what it may look like in the years to come.

Idaho News

Distilled: How Idaho's Craft Beer Market Has Changed In A Decade

Frankie Barnhill

The Idaho craft beer industry has exploded in recent years. Between 2011 and 2016, the number of craft barrels produced in the state more than tripled.…
Economy

Distilled: How Idaho Craft Brewers Are Competing In A Saturated Beer Market

Frankie Barnhill

On a recent winter afternoon, Mike Francis stood on the brew deck at Payette Brewing Company in Boise. He pointed to four large stainless steel vessels…
Economy

Distilled: Idaho Microbrew Industry Spurs Fruitful Relationship With Local Agriculture

James Dawson

Take a drive west on Highway 19 towards Wilder and you’ll start to see rows of poles more than a dozen feet tall, piercing the southwest Idaho sky.It’s…
Politics & Government

Distilled: Idaho Liquor License Laws A Tall Order For Business Owners

In Idaho, the state controls how many liquor licenses are available and only releases new ones when populations rise enough to warrant. While…
Idaho News

Distilled: A History Of Idaho's Alcohol Laws

Samantha Wright

Jeff Anderson, the Director of the Idaho State Liquor Division sums up this story in one short sentence:“It’s just terribly complicated and the beverage…