If you are looking for something fun to do where you can enjoy great beer, then County Line Brewing Taproom is for you! We just had the opportunity to hang out with Tyler, Matt, and Chad this week! There is nothing better than getting a chance to see great beer being brewed.
County Line Brewing Taproom History
Locally owned and operated by Laura and Zack Kiehl, located at 9115 W. Chinden Blvd., Ste. 107 in Garden City. Zack started out building his dream when his wife Laura gave him a homebrew kit. As a homebrewer, Zack wanted to follow his passion for beer and Laura, the marketing genius is making that happen. Now, four years later they are living the dream to provide fantastic beers and having a ton of fun doing it. The 4-person crew is top notch and just listening to them, you can see that they definitely all have a passion for beer and County Line Brewing.
Beer Brewing – Making of Mash
One of the best things about grabbing a tour when you are in
County Line Brewing is you get to be in the action. It was Mash Day and there is nothing better
than watching it cook and then watching it go back to mash. I even sampled the mixture as they pulled it
out of the machine to get it ready to go back to the farmers to feed their
livestock. It had a great taste – it is
no surprise that people are using it to make pizza dough, loaves of bread etc.
The process of beer making can take a while. Today they were finding a way to shorten the process without losing the flavor. What an interesting process. Here’s Tyler to tell you more:
County Line Brewing Taproom – The Beer
Tyler lined us up with an amazing tasting flight that was more than we could have expected and furthermore, very surprising. Here’s what we sampled.
- Ruth’s Lager – A Heartfelt Beer — This beer pays tribute to a Laura and Zack’s daughter Ruth that passed away 2-hours after birth. This light, refreshing, smooth beer fast became a favorite and is their #1 seller. Not only is it a great beer, but it gives back to the community through a portion of the sales. A scholarship fund benefiting students in the Boise State Nursing program was established to honor their Jr. Brewer Ruth. For more information on the Ruth E.
Kiehl Memorial Scholarship click here. - Barnwood American Brown Ale — packed a punch with chocolate and roast flavor. Bold taste – a little hoppy.
- Slow Draw Oatmeal Stout — nice creamy flavor, oatmeal rich flavor and yet very smooth. I personally thought it had a bit of a coffee flavor so was surprised to learn that it didn’t have any in it. Great beer taste!
- Hayride Pale Ale — Citrus is the theme and it is all natural. The hops give it this great flavor with a nice little punch. It truly became a fast favorite for me.
- Shade Tree IPA — Incredibly smooth yet packed with flavor. Nice and crisp, refreshing and great for those who prefer less hoppy beers.
- Daybreak Coffee Cream Ale — Bring on the coffee flavor in a beer that will surprise you. This light colored beer makes you wonder if they gave you the wrong one. You got the right one, exceptional coffee flavor with a smooth cream ale. An excellent beer!
Head Brewer Matt
Ever wonder how a head brewer gets his start… Matt shares his story with you.
County Line Brewing Taproom – Awesome Atmosphere
Grab a chair at the bar or one of their uniquely crafted tables that make you feel right at home. You won’t miss the action because it is happening right behind the bar. The homey feel, the great staff, and incredibly good beer make this a perfect place to go hang out with friends, grab a beer after work or just plan a Saturday afternoon kick back and relax. You definitely have to check out the décor as they have a chalk mural by a local artist. It’s been there for 4 years and looks like it was done yesterday!
Find It Local
Even if you can’t make it to the Taproom, you can find County Line Brewing in all Winco’s, Whole Foods, both Boise Co-op’s, and a couple of the Albertson’s. You don’t ever have to be without this great beer. Plus, could be in your favorite bar or restaurant. They self-distribute and are in 50-60 bars/restaurants at any given time. Currently, you will find County Line Brewing Beer on tap at Bru — downtown Boise. Of course, you still want to hit the Taproom, so you can partake of all the fun.
County Line Brewing Taproom – Club Membership
Join the Club so you can be part of all the special happenings, get growler deals and even a shirt. For only $100 a year, you can be part of the “Club Crowd” and a enjoy all the perks membership has to offer!
Time to Get Your Brew On
What a great way to spend an afternoon hanging out with the crew at County Line Brewing. You never know what is going to be going on when you visit. They may even be in the middle of brewing or mashing! We really had fun talking with the guys, learning about the beers and don’t forget – Ruth’s story! It brought tears to my eyes, yet warmed my heart on how they turned something so heartbreaking into something so powerful for the community! Get off your bum and get on down to County Line Brewing – it’s time to get your adventure on.