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Totally Boise Goes Behind the Scenes at Mad Swede Brewing

Last updated September 21, 2021 by Totally Boise

According to Mad Swede Brewing Owner and Head Brewer Jerry Larson, there are two rules when naming a beer. The beer has to be impossible to pronounce or what one would consider a dad joke. Owners Jerry and Susie Larson have over 30 years of brewing experience. The three-decade dedication to their craft motivated their whole family to get involved in creating and delivering quality craft beer in Idaho!

Totally Boise got to go behind the scenes and see the process in which beer is brewed, canned, and served to the Idaho community.

Go Behind the Scenes at Mad Swede Brewing | Totally Boise 2021 Fall Mag
Go Behind the Scenes at Mad Swede Brewing | Totally Boise 2021 Fall Mag

Totally Boise Tours Mad Swede Brewing

Let's start by stating, the key to a tasty craft beer is time, patience, and, as Mad Swede would say, "a blend of art and science!"

Their flagship brewery, located off Cole Road, has a tasting room with open views of their brewery, but what do all those big machines do? Jerry went through the step-by-step process of what goes on behind the scenes to create mouth-watering craft beer. Here are some of the moments that seemed to impact us the most.

  • A solid, great-tasting beer starts with barley; Mad Swede Brewing keeps it local and buys barley from a third-generation barley farmer in Eastern Idaho.
  • Mad Swede Brewing uses an estimate of 50 tons of barley annually.
  • What makes specialty beers? Specialty grains are used to create specialty beers like stouts that have that dark color.
  • Creating quality craft beer is a dance between not too hot or cold and not too thin or thick in texture. Over the years, Mad Swede Brewing's beer has won quite the awards including:
    • Naked Sunbather Nut Brown Ale - Gold Medal at Great American Beer Fest (GABF), Two silver medals at NABA/IBA
    • Caber Toss This Ye Wee Lad Scotch Ale - Gold Medal at NABA/IBA
    • Danegeld Golden Ale - Silver Medal at NABA/IBA
  • Beer that is still in its early stages of the brewing process is called "green beer."
  • The brewing time frame for beer depends on the style of beer. For Mad Swede Brewing, three to eight weeks is the typical turnaround for creating award-winning beer. For instance, Mad Swede's award-winning Naked Sunbather takes around four weeks, and their Caber Toss This, Ye Wee Lad takes close to six weeks.
Go Behind the Scenes at Mad Swede Brewing | Totally Boise 2021 Fall Mag
Go Behind the Scenes at Mad Swede Brewing | Totally Boise 2021 Fall Mag
Go Behind the Scenes at Mad Swede Brewing | Totally Boise 2021 Fall Mag
Go Behind the Scenes at Mad Swede Brewing | Totally Boise 2021 Fall Mag

Mad Swede Brewing 2021 Boise Events

Mad Swede 'Brew Hall' is their second location, which opened in 2020. It is located in the heart of downtown Boise and dishes up Swedish Meatballs and New Zealand hand pies that pair perfectly with its craft beers. Both locations are known to throw weekly comedy shows and yearly must-attend events! The downtown location also hosts live music, while the Cole Road location has Trivia and games.

As the old Norse legend goes, there was once a three-legged zombie horse named Helhest, and in true Mad Swede Brewing fashion, they embraced the legend and have created a spooktacular event around it!

Helhest Helfest: October 22nd-24th & October 29th-31st

Find more details here about Helhest Helfest: Helhest Helfest Event Page

September Beer Releases:

  • Lost Viking Tropical IPA
  • Octoberfestivus Amber Lager

October Beer Releases:

  • Helhest Oat Ale
  • Skullbanger Double IPA (fresh-hopped)

November Beer Releases:

  • King of Kiev Imperial Stout

Stay up to date on all Mad Swede Brewing events and beer releases.

Mad Swede Events

After touring Mad Swede Brewing, it's safe to say creating craft beer is an art form, from beginning to end, and the team at Mad Swede Brewing loves creating fun masterpieces! Aside from crafting beer, the team also loves other art forms including craft metal, textile arts, comedy, film, and more! Whether you are just entering into the craft beer world, looking for a new beer to sample, or new and entertaining events around town, Mad Swede Brewing has got you covered.

Mad Swede Brewing Locations & Socials!

Flagship Brewery
2772 S. Cole Road, Boise, ID
@madswedebrewing on FB
@madswedebrewing on IG

Downtown Brew Hall
816 W. Bannock Street, Boise, ID
@MadSwedeDowntownBrewHall on FB
@madswede_downtown on IG

Go Behind the Scenes at Mad Swede Brewing | Totally Boise 2021 Fall Mag
Go Behind the Scenes at Mad Swede Brewing | Totally Boise 2021 Fall Mag

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