HowBeerSavedMyLife: Salmon River Brewery

Like anything truly great in the central Idaho, mountain town of McCall, whether mountain biking, skiing, camping or fishing, you have to go just off piste. Salmon River Brewery, SRB to the locals, is no different. Matt Ganz, a former smokejumper and Hot Shot and Matt Hurlbutt, a former contractor by trade, often referred to as the 2 Matt's decided that the tourist town of roughly 3,000 year round residents had room for a second brewery.

So, why beer? In sitting down with Ganz, I discovered that beer quite possibly courses through his veins and as he so eloquently stated, "I'm just tapping into my heritage, pun intended." Ganz family owned and operated a number of breweries across the Northwest. His great, great, great grandfather founded Alma Brewing in 1855 which saw a successful 50 year run up to prohibition. His family also founded Seattle Brewing and Malting which birthed a signature Pale Ale we know today as Rainier. The popularity of Rainier Beer grew exponentially, launching them to become the 6th largest brewery in the world by 1904.

In what may be a little bit different question, how did beer save your life? I asked.

"Beer gave me something that I can absolutely, full heartedly be passionate about and that's a lot to say. A lot of people in the jump community fear leaving for the lack of something better. It can also be quite an elixir." He smiled. "Why do people drink beer? To relax, enjoy a conversation with a friend. I just don't like to see it abused."

Every brewer initially gets their inspiration from another brewery, being from the Pacific Northwest, Ganz named the expected Deschutes and RedHook. To dig a little deeper, however, Ganz cited Terminal Gravity for their location and business plan, Amnesia Brewing of Portland for their pub model, Full Sail Brewing of Hood River for the Willy Wonka Factor and Dogfish Head, well, because they have just done about everything a small brewery could ever hope to do and then some. Ganz also wanted to specifically give a special, high five and pat on the back to Sockeye as a local brewery for the flash of hands on experience and shadowing in their facility.

What's next? Look to see SRB expand the number of draft accounts in the valley, specifically in the Boise area. With a new delivery truck, new kegs and new tap handles on the way they are definitely moving into the next phases of their business plan. You can expect some light bottling of some 22's releasing some of their staples to places like the Boise Co-op and local craft beer specialty stores.

For now, make the 2 hour drive north from Boise to the little mountain town on the lake, that is, the whole package deal. Find your way to the Liquid District and you'll undoubtedly catch one of the 2 Matt's, probably with the door up, brewing that next great batch of true Idaho craft beer.

Cheers