Another brewery/taproom is saying goodbye to the Boise area this week. It has been a rough year for local craft beer and the industry in general. This time, it is Mad Swede throwing in the towel. Starting 9 years ago, almost to the day, Jerry and Susie Larson launched the brewery in an industrial park on S. Cole just South of Costco. Jerry (and Susie) both have long engineering backgrounds at Hewlett-Packard and their brewing passions turned pro at Mad Swede. Its rustic, relaxed Viking themed taproom and beer list carved out a unique spot in the otherwise well-populated Boise area craft beer scene.
In my early tours of the facility I was impressed by the scale of the operation. It was truly impressive. Clearly a lot of thought, planning and frankly money was involved in the brewing equipment. The fairly ambitious, 15 barrel system can put out a lot of beer. Some of Mad Swede’s more popular “flagship” offerings over the years were such examples as “Longship IPA”, “Naked Sunbather”, and “Shield Maiden”, and of course who could forget “Helm of Awe”
Being located in South Boise gave Mad Swede a little “only game in town” factor as far as craft beer destinations for near by residents. It was a bit off of my beaten path and so was not a frequent visitor, but when I did I always liked the relaxed, unassuming feel of the taproom. The dark or hoppy beers were often bold, punchy and aggressive, and the lighter offerings, mellow and pleasant. A small bar, but plenty of tables, tall and low and an outdoor patio area. Various local food trucks would also be onsite regularly.
Tuesday Oct 14 was their last official day and there was quite a crowd getting some last chance pints of Boise’s best Viking beer. Many visitors even came away with some self described “future-vintage” glassware that was being given away as “parting gifts”. The logos bearing a striking resemblance to the proprietor.
Several of us from Snake River Brewers homebrew club and Boise Beer Buddies were at one of the outdoor tables and a little later we got to briefly meet Chris VanSickle, of Wild Frontier Beer Project. WFBP is the new venture taking over Mad Swede’s brewery equipment and location. We’re glad to see the place stay in the beer business , though the changing of the guard will take at least a few months of city and state “red tape” Chris seems a decent fellow and comes from 10 Barrel Boise where he was head brewer for a few years. BBB will have a separate write-up for “Wild Frontier” when their opening date gets closer.
And while there was no funeral pyre, and we didn’t send them off on a burning Viking longship, it was still a fun way to say farewell to one of Boise’s best known local craft beer producers and locations. By Thor’s hammer will see you again…in Valhalla !
-Cheers
