Idaho’s Largest Brewery Will Expand

BOISE, Idaho (AP) — Idaho's largest brewery is expanding with a $4.5 million brewery and office complex in downtown Boise.

The Idaho Statesman reports  that the Garden City-based Payette Brewing Co. will open a flagship location and main offices downtown in the former home of Bronco Elite Athletics. Boise City Council approved Payette's 32,000-square-foot building Tuesday. Payette, founded in 2010, currently produces about 10,000 barrels of brew each year.

Founder Mike Francis says the new brewhouse will create the potential to crank out more than 100,000 barrels annually. About 80 percent of Payette's beer is sold in Idaho, with smaller quantities sold in Oregon, Utah, Nevada and Washington. Francis says the brewery hopes to push into larger markets such as Seattle.