This story originally appeared as a feature in the 2024 Official Idaho Travel Guide.
The Gem State is dotted with many breweries, taphouses and pubs worthy of a stop—or a session, as brewmasters say. Behind the scenes of some of Idaho’s top watering holes, you’ll find talented female beer brewers crafting unique flavors and setting the scene with stellar vibes. Pull up a barstool and get the scoop on four remarkable connoisseurs shaping the future of brewing in Idaho—from intriguing beverages to inviting taprooms.
Penny Pink
Portneuf Valley Brewing | Pocatello
Penny Pink may lovingly call herself Idaho’s “grandmother of brewing,” but as the state’s first female beer brewer, her legacy ensures that Portneuf Valley Brewing isn’t your grandma’s typical watering hole. When Pink and her husband moved to Idaho in 1986, she gifted him a homebrewing kit—then took over the operation after his first batch exploded. “Once he discovered the broken glass all over his power tools, he said, ‘You are the one with a degree in microbiology and chemistry—you brew the beer!’” Pink laughs.
After building her first brewing system from scrap metal in her driveway and bootstrapping her way into business, Pink unveiled Portneuf Valley Brewing’s first commercial pour in July 1996. Today, the space is equal parts brewery, restaurant and community hub. While you might come for the atmosphere, live music and great food, the diverse beer lineup is undoubtedly the shining star.
Portneuf offers six flagship beers—all developed by Pink—along with a host of seasonal and rotating brews. “One of the reasons I have brewed a lot of different styles over the years is because I like a diversity of things,” she says. “In the summer, I want light and crisp, and in the winter, I want dark and satisfying. I bring a range of beers to the tap.”
Of her signature pours, Ligertown Lager and Belligerent Ass remain Pink’s personal favorites. Ligertown is a classic all-malt, all-American pilsner known for its balanced flavor and light body. Belligerent Ass, on the other hand, is a nut brown ale fondly named for her husband (a fact he’s quite proud of, Pink confirms). It’s made from six types of malted barley and two varieties of hops that create a rich, well-rounded beverage.
Beth Bechtel & Hailey “Alex” Alexander
Bear Island Brewing Co. | Boise
Beth Bechtel came to brewing by way of serving her country. After a successful career in personal training and professional boxing, she began searching for her next chapter and enlisted in the U.S. Navy. Throughout her travels, she became fascinated with the breadth of beers abroad. “I became a beer geek,” Bechtel shares. “The best brown ale I ever had was in Rome, where I had an epiphany that I needed to learn how to brew.”
Fast-forward to 2014, and Bechtel—along with her husband, business partner and fellow Navy veteran, Steve—evolved from brewing in a two-car garage to founding Bear Island Brewing Co. Today, it’s housed in Boise’s historic Firehouse #6 and offers what Bechtel describes as a welcoming “community living room” vibe. “Beer brings people together,” she says. “It is our job to craft community.”
Bechtel, who serves as both CEO and CBO (chief brewing officer), works alongside Hailey “Alex” Alexander, the site’s head brewer. Alexander got her start in the wine industry but soon found herself drawn to beer. “I kept finding myself at breweries, learning about beer and drinking beer,” she recounts. “I just love the atmosphere of brewing.”
When it comes to her approach, Alexander explains, “I want to create something that is unique but sessionable—which means you can have more than one, and you want to have more than one.”
While both women gravitate toward Brewhouse #6—a Euro-style pilsner—their true go-to is Idaho® Potato Ale, the brewery’s flagship IPA. Funny enough, Bechtel crafted this beer out of necessity. “While I was on my final deployment in the Middle East, I ran out of barley and needed a replacement starch to make beer,” the brewmaster recalls. She describes the result—a juicy, tropical and approachable IPA—as “Idaho in a glass.”
Ginger Cantamessa
Black Lodging Brewing | Coeur d’Alene
Ginger Cantamessa is a self-proclaimed beauty school dropout who found her way to brewing. “The first really good beer I made was a stout,” she reflects. “I realized that, much like processing hair, temperature matters more than you think it does. The adjustments on your grain mill matter—all the things really matter—and everything came together perfectly for that batch.”
Before opening her own brewery, Cantamessa worked at various bars, wineries and pubs, but found herself longing to be on the production side. Getting in the weeds with recipes, science and logistics suited her—and what was once a dream eventually became Black Lodge Brewing. She and her husband, Josh, opened the brewery in Coeur d’Alene in 2021, creating a spot that pays homage to the Davide Lynch TV show Twin Peaks.
“I am a huge David Lynch fan, and I wanted [the brewery] to have [the show’s] ethereal, dreamy pop vibe,” Cantamessa admits. “It’s a very chill, low-key place where you can enjoy good food and good beer.”
A small but mighty brewery, Black Lodge always features one of Cantamessa’s own creations alongside a rotating list of other regional craft beers. While you never know what she’s cooking up— or what you’ll find on the board when you visit—you can count on a clean beer with funky flavors. “I like sours, I like dark beers, I like [beers that] have more depth,” she asserts. “I like some complexity to [them].”
These remarkable female beer brewers have made an indelible impact on Idaho’s brewing scene, infusing it with expertise, creativity and hospitality. Their work continues to inspire others to redefine the craft beer experience—engaging enthusiasts and building a lasting sense of community.
Thirsty for more? Embark on a flavor-filled adventure and explore 100+ breweries across the state.
Kate Hull is a travel and lifestyle writer and editor. She is the co-publisher and editor-in-chief of Powder Mountain Press—the publisher of Teton Valley Magazine based in Driggs. Hull lives in Victor with her husband and young son and enjoys biking, baking and exploring the Teton Mountains.
Updated on April 07, 2025
Published on March 14, 2024
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