IBU announces benefit beer

Idaho Brewers United first benefit beer, United Pils, is now available on draft throughout Idaho. Featuring Idaho-grown barley and hops, United Pils will help IBU, Idaho’s craft brewers guild, advocate on behalf of Idaho breweries and the craft beer community. The hoppy lager was brewed at MickDuff’s Brewing with fellow Idaho brewers and with support from craft beer suppliers.

“It’s really special to see the support from all levels of our craft beer industry on this project,” said IBU Executive Director, Sheila Francis. “Craft beer is all about community and it really shows on this project.”

Idaho-grown Great Western Pure Idaho Pilsner Malt was donated by the Country Malt Group while Mill 95, an Idaho hop processing and distributor, supported the cause with a donation of Crystal hops. Craig Stein Beverage and the Odom Corp. partnered with MickDuff’s and IBU to distribute the beer throughout the state.

“United Pils is an American take on a hoppy German-style lager,” explained Mack Deibel of MickDuff’s Brewing Co. He added, “It’s quite tasty! It has nice body, not light or too full, with slight hop aroma and solid hop bitterness. Light beer drinkers might step out of their light lager comfort-zone to enjoy this and hopheads will find it refreshing.”

Proceeds from beer sales will be earmarked toward IBU’s legislative efforts. This includes an effort to define contract brewing during the 2019 session and the hiring long-time Boise lobbyist and craft beer enthusiast, Nate Fisher. IBU engages in policy work to promote and protect breweries of all sizes and this beer will further the cause.

Select Idaho breweries and craft beer bars will have the benefit beer on tap but only for a limited time. A full list of locations with United Pils on tap can be found at Idahobrewers.org/the-news/.

Information: Idaho Brewers United, idahobrewers.org or idahobrewersunited@gmail.com