So the Ag Department and Idaho Brewers United have teamed up to publish a new brochure highlighting them all, in the “Idaho Brewers Trail Map.” For those planning to take a tour along the “trail,” the department says, “Visitors and locals can now sip their way around Idaho and learn more about the state’s craft brew industry.”

In addition to locations and information on each brewery, the brochure includes information about Idaho-grown ingredients that are used in the brewing process. Idaho is the largest barley producing state in the country; the Brewers Association estimates that craft beer in Idaho had an economic impact of more than $172 million in 2013. Kelly Olson, administrator of the Idaho Barley Commission, said, “We especially celebrate the rapid expansion of craft brewing in all parts of Idaho. Craft beer makes up only about 11 percent of the total U.S. beer market today, but U.S. craft brewers buy more than 25 percent of the malting barley grown in this country.”

The Idaho Brewers Trail Map is available in brewery tasting rooms, visitor centers, and online here. Betsy Russell, EOB

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