NAMPA, Idaho — Idaho's craft beer business is filled to the rim, and there are a lot of reasons for that.
Daniel Love, President and Founder of Mother Earth Brewing Co., says, "assistance from the government, better water profile, and a better workforce" are a few of the reasons.
Daniel moved from California to Nampa for those reasons, but the biggest reason was he and his wife wanting to retire in Idaho.
"So much that the state offers we love to do. It's a no brainer," Love said. "I cashed in my 401k to start this."
Mother Earth Brewing Co.'s brewery is 42,000 square feet, and it cranks out 60,000 barrels of beer a year, which all go to 18 states and 12 countries.
But Daniel and his wife still value the small-town feel of a brewpub.
Speaking of pubs, 2C Family Brewing Co. is a much smaller brewery that recently opened in downtown Nampa.
"It got started between my father and his best friend in their garage," says Angie Mullins of 2C Family Brewing Co.
Seven months ago, 2C Brewing took over Nampa's oldest building, which was built in 1905, and happens to be well-suited to the beer business.
"It's been really good. I get a lot of people coming to Nampa," Mullins said, "They haven't been here in a long time, and they're blown away by how much it's changed."
Mullins says 2C Brewing's beer is attracting people from Boise and Meridian.
"I only see it growing from here," Mullins said.
However, the microbrew business isn't as popular as it once was.
"I do know the craft brewing industry isn't growing at double digits anymore," Love said. "It's probably going to be around four percent growth this year."
Still, a good brew and a good environment appear to make a for a very successful four percent.
