Sockeye Brewing, Boise ID

Summer Trip 2022, Day 15

Sockeye had amazing reviews so it was the clear winner for this stop on the trip.

They have a huge indoor space – you can’t even see the large bar and the tables near it in this photo – plus a large outdoor patio area. I was intrigued by the two flights on offer, their year-round beers and their seasonals, so at the server’s urging, I ordered one of each. This resulted in 12 tasters, but only 3 ounces each (just right!).

Honestly, there weren’t any that I didn’t like, but I’ll at least mention them each and will call out the ones that were particular favorites.

The further flight of six was their year-round brews. From left to right, these were:

The first was labeled as the Galena Gold Ale but my server told me that was actually the [Something Something] Lager … so I don’t know the real name, but it was one of my favorites of the lot!

Woolybugger Wheat Ale – good, but it didn’t stand out.

Angel’s Peach Amber Ale – slightly more flavor than the Woolybugger, but otherwise, in the same category.

Hell Diver Pale Ale – this was really, really good, possibly even better than the “lager whose name is unknown.”

Dagger Falls IPA – a nice IPA, but nothing that really stood out.

Power House Porter – now this is exactly the kind of porter I like to drink in the winter! Too bad it’s summer right now, but it was certainly a tasty brew.

The nearer flight of six is their current seasonal beer list. I’ll start with the top row, then the bottom row, both left-to-right:

American Sour – 6.0% – they use a yeast strain (unfortunately, not specified) that creates the lactic acid while fermenting. I loved this sour! It was a wonderful, clean flavor with great aroma.

Horsethief Hazy IPA – 5.5% – what can I say? This is a perfect example of the style.

Kiss of Death – 14.4% – This imperial stout “embodies the bold, unruly spirit of the term as one of the biggest and baddest imperial stouts we’ve ever brewed.” I was leary of this one – and saved it for last – but really, really loved it! The alcohol was surprisingly subtle, sitting underneath the big flavors. While I wouldn’t be able to drink a full pint, I wish I could have had another short pour of this one.

Nitro Velvet Falls Cream Ale – 6.0% – This might be my favorite cream ale of all time.

Old 7 Tooth – 10.5% – Another imperial stout, but with a much more pronounced alcohol flavor than the Kiss of Death. As much as I liked this one, I love the Kiss of Death more and it had less of an alcohol presence (on the front end, at least!).

Sabro Single Hop Hazy Pale – 6.3% – I hadn’t heard of Sabro hops before, but will try to remember to steer clear of them in my own brewing … I’m not a fan of coconut flavors in my beer …

If I hadn’t had to get into my hotel room and join a Zoom meeting, I’d have definitely had a pint or two after these flights. What would they have been?? That’s really difficult to say, but maybe I would have started with the Hell Diver and then – if I’d felt up to it – a 10 ounce pour (or whatever it would have been) of the Kiss of Death.

Sockeye is a great place! If I ever get back here, I’ll be sure to stop again and will make sure I have more time to enjoy their great beers!

And as an after though, yes, I did eat …

The salad was top notch, indeed. The corned beef in the Reuben was also excellent, but I have to admit that I like the bread in my Reuben to be toasty/crispy, not soggy …