2C or not 2C

At the risk of burring the lead, the answer is sadly, the latter.

2C Family Brewing is no longer with us as of April 4th. The brewery, along with a couple other spots made “downtown” Nampa a fun and interesting hub of Food and Beer destinations. 2C Occupied the historic 115-some-odd year old Dewy Scales building at 1215 1st Ave. It was adjacent to Mesa Tacos, Paddles up Poke and across from Holy Cow, Messenger Pizza and the last remaining PreFunk beer bar.

Mark Shiebout and Alvin Mullins, long time homebrewing buddies, opened their doors in late June, 2019. 2C seemed from the beginning to specialize in continental European beers, German lagers, Bocks, Belgians and Saisons etc. In August 2021 Tyler Vanden Heuvel came on board as head brewer and tweaked the beer lineup a bit. He had been at Meriwether Cider and Mother Earth before, bringing considerable experience with him.

From then on there were more offerings and typically a few more North American traditional styles included in the mix. Overall that last year and a half or so saw an improvement in the better selection, and quality, frankly. The more recent “Hop Projekt” IPAs and hazy pales were particularly good. Tyler should land somewhere else hopefully soon as I hope to keep drinking beer he makes.

There wasn’t a food menu at 2C, but you could always of course bring in your own. Sometimes there was a grill going with hotdogs and what-not, for a couple bucks. There was frequently live music on the weekends as well. The rustic long tables and original hardwood floor and high ceiling contributed to the casual friendly “beer-hall” atmosphere.

For whatever reason, after nearly four years, it just didn’t work out and the first weekend in April, they closed they’re doors for good. Its a shame, 2C really added to a vibrant and fun city center and was the beginning of a little resurrection of downtown Nampa. Such as it is.

Unknown at this time, what will become of that site, or who will take it’s place. I doubt it will be as fun and tasty as 2C was for the nearly 4 years they were there. There is some local chatter that suggests nearby Crescent Brewing is purchasing much of 2C’s 10-Barrel capacity brewing equipment.

It’s always sad to witness the sunset of craft beer destination. Nampa only has a few, Mother Earth, has its major production facility a mile North with a nice tap room. Crescent Brewing is about 3 blocks west. But that is about it as far as “brew-on-premise” craft beer sources in the immediate area.

We are all sad to see them go.

-Cheers

Author: brewster

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