This Boise brewery won America’s most-respected beer award. It’s closing
A Boise brewery that will be remembered for irreverence and a gold medal winning beer is emptying its tanks.
Mad Swede Brewing Company, 2772 S. Cole Road, will close after a final day Tuesday. Owners Jerry and Susie Larson plan to retire, according to a thank-you message posted on Mad Swede’s social media.
“It’s been an incredible nine years serving you Boise, but it’s time to put our longship out to sea and sail on to the next adventure,” the brewery explained.
A new brewery, Wild Frontier Beer Project, plans to take over the 15-barrel brewhouse and taproom, according to its Instagram page. Wild Frontier is a new brand from Chris VanSickle, former head brewer at 10 Barrel Brewing Co., with a tentative opening date of February 2026.
Mad Swede also operates a downtown Boise pub, Mad Swede Brew Hall, at 816 W. Bannock St. That satellite location — in the Garro Building, just east of the parking lot next to 10 Barrel — will remain open through December, according to Mad Swede.
A farewell party is planned Tuesday at Mad Swede Brewing. Details are still being finalized.
Mad Swede Brewing’s best-known beer is Naked Sunbather nut brown ale. In 2019, it won a gold medal at the Great American Beer Festival, the nation’s most prestigious beer competition. No Idaho breweries medaled at this year’s festival, which was held Oct. 8-10 in Denver.
Now it’s time for a new direction for Mad Swede’s owners.
“It’s been an honor and a privilege to serve you!” the brewery wrote. “Jerry and Susie are looking forward to letting their many creative hobbies flourish in retirement, and making many memories with their new grand baby.”
This story was originally published October 13, 2025 at 11:19 AM.