Brewery Grows Despite Sluggish Economy

Eastern Idaho may be rural, but it produces many products that sell all over the country, even the world.

One Teton Valley business has found great success over the last few years despite the national recession.

Almost 25 years ago, the Grand Teton Brewing Company opened in Wilson, Wyo.

It was the first modern “micro” brewery in the state of Wyoming.

After just 10 years, it moved to a bigger facility in Victor.

Today, its beer is sold in more than a dozen states.

Brewmaster Rob Mullin said the key to its great taste is spring water that comes from under the mountains.

“It’s the best brewing water in the world,? Mullin said. ?It’s clean, pure and wonderful tasting. It allows us to make any style of beer we want.”

It has won awards at the Mountain Brewers Festival in Idaho Falls.

The water isn’t the only Idaho ingredient in the beer; 95 percent of the malt used is grown by Idaho farmers.

“The barley grown right here in Teton Valley is the best in the world,? Mullin said. ?So we are interested in using the local malt.”

To add a little bit of Idaho flavor, 25 percent of the hops come from southern Idaho farmers.

To ensure high quality, every batch undergoes a series of tests.

?We think we are the smallest brewery in the country that has invested in a full-time quality manager,? Mullin said.

Once all the ingredients are mixed and boiled, the mixture is moved into the tanks where the beer ferments for about two weeks.

“Unlike most brewers, we have chosen to serve all of our beer unfiltered,? Mullin said. ?Rather than strip the yeast out, we leave it in and it increases the mouth feel, the body of the beer. We think it adds a little bit of flavor that we really like. It also extends the shelf life.”

When the time is right, the bottles are sent down the line, cleaned, filled, capped, washed and labeled.

About 80 bottles come down the line every minute, sending 17,000 bottles across the country every day.

The company is not currently expanding into new markets, but its customer base is growing.

Last year, the company sold 8,600 barrels. In 2012, it plans to sell 10,000.

“When I started brewing 20 years ago, we thought it would be great if we could get 2 percent of the market. We would be in fantastic shape,? Mullin said. ?Now we are at 10 percent of the whole U.S. beer market is craft beer, small breweries.”

Since the recession, Mullin said the company has seen a 20 percent growth rate.

“It’s a really good time to be a micro brewery right now. The whole segment is increasing faster than I have ever seen it,? Mullin said.

Not a drinker? The brewery also brews four flavors of soda.

Last year, the brewery only produced 300 barrels of soda, but in 2012, it plans to double that, increasing it to 10 percent of the company’s business.

Whether it’s soda or beer, Mullin said they only use the best.

“We really are trying hard to craft what is a specifically a Teton Valley Idaho beer in everything we do,? Mullin said. ?That’s really important for us.”

Those wanting to try the drafts they are now on tap at Fire House Grill and Applebee’s in Idaho Falls.

The beer is available in any specialty beer store across eastern Idaho and in Teton Valley and Jackson anywhere beer is sold.