Good things may come to those who wait, but no one talks about how excruciating the wait can be. It was getting late in Las Vegas for the Gem State entrants at the 2024 World Beer Cup. Idaho breweries were winless with 105 of a possible 110 categories announced.
With access to clean water and home to hopyards and barley fields that produce world-class raw ingredients, the state of Idaho has everything it needs to support a successful brewing industry. Except recognition. Chip, meet shoulder. 105 categories in, with over 300 medals awarded to beers from around the globe, time was running out for our home state brewers.
The emcee announced Category 106 — American-Style Black Ale or American-Style Stout. Bronze goes to … Black Cliffs, Boise Brewing, Boise, Idaho. Relief and exhilaration mingled like an unstirred cocktail. But the wait was over. One of Idaho’s most decorated and celebrated beers had done it again!
The world is a brighter, more colorful place with a reigning world-class beer available around town. Stopping by Boise Brewing on the subsequent Friday evening, I felt the festive and lively atmosphere. The place was packed inside and out, including the new kitchen/restaurant/taproom expansion space (formerly the Boise Weekly office). I stopped in looking for cans of Black Cliffs — these cans existed once (past tense) and may exist again (future tense) but do not currently exist for sale at Boise Brewing nor at any of the local bottle shops (present tense — sad face). Draft only. I suppose it’s not a party if it happens every night, and some more waiting could be a good thing, or, at the very least, a less excruciating thing.
Though I lacked a can of Black Cliffs, I did successfully find a number of other 2024 World Beer Cup winners available for purchase around town. Well-known brands like Deschutes and Odell both won medals. Lesser-known brands like Pfriem and Monkless also won awards. Fort George, based in Astoria, Oregon, and makers of some of the finest beers in the Northwest, took home Gold with City of Dreams in the category of Juicy or Hazy Pale Ale. Wyoming’s oldest brewery, Snake River Brewing, continued to add to its collection of hardware with a Bronze for Zonker Stout in the category of Export Stout. Additionally, 10 Barrel Brewing swept the entire category of German-Style Sour Ale, so I expect to see some of those pouring at the Boise pub in the near future. Boise’s access to world-class beer is safe for another year. Raise a glass to that! Cheers, ~M
Having tasted, sold, brewed, named, blended, written and thought about, discussed, argued over, and judged barley’s finest use for over fifteen years, I have opinions on the subject. Ultimately, I’m of the mind that if you like it, drink it. If not, don’t waste your liver money on it. Please contact me: thejoyofbeer208@gmail.com.
