Boise's Sockeye Brewing celebrates 25 years (party deets!), restores historic trolley, announces new locale

Sockeye Grill and Brewery, which restored Oregon Railroad and Navigation Co. Coach 94 in preparation for its 25th anniversary, moved the railcar to its new home at the brewpub. Built in 1883, the historic railway car was retired from service in 1933 and housed a tavern on the Boise Bench originally called The Silver Car and eventually The Trolley before an arsonist torched it in 2006.

Sockeye Brewing is celebrating its silver anniversary in epic style. In addition to restoring a historic trolley and placing it onsite last month, Sockeye is staging a 25th anniversary concert this Friday (tomorrow, Friday, June 25th!) at Expo Idaho headlined by Hell’s Belles, the world-famous all-female AC/DC tribute band. It’s also hosting a big party at the brewpub in Boise this Saturday featuring tours of the trolley and owner Fred Schuerman’s antique car collection on display in the parking lot. Details and tickets are on the website.

But the biggest news of all: It has signed a lease to make 3823 N. Garden Center Way in Boise, the space formerly home to 36th Garden Center & Bistro, its second location with an anticipated opening in spring 2022. The move comes on the heels of Sockeye closing its Cole Rd. location in 2019.

“Since we shuttered our location at Cole and Ustick, we have been on a deliberate search for a site that would make a statement and reflect the next chapter of Sockeye Brewing,” Janice Skinner, Sockeye’s business manager, said. “We are thrilled to have found a spot that’s not only beautiful, but will be central to Boise’s foothills and well within reach of downtown and other portions of the Treasure Valley.”

The new location, which is just over 12,000 sq ft, will feature a full-service restaurant with large indoor and outdoor dining areas, a bar area for beer and wine service with more than two-dozen taps, and a large indoor event space for both public and private events. Sockeye will continue beer production and operate a restaurant and bar
at its flagship Fairview Ave. location.

“Between the event space, outdoor seating, and a food menu specific to this location, we see this as an opportunity to push the boundaries of what Sockeye Brewing can be,” Skinner said.

Meanwhile, she said the concert at Expo Idaho this Friday should be a blast. In addition to headliners Hell’s Belles — who hail from Seattle and were endorsed by Angus Young himself in Blender Magazine in 2003 — the lineup includes Thin Lizzy tribute band Still Dangerous and Devo speed-metal tribute band The Mongoloids, both from Boise. Food trucks will gather at the event, and Sockeye will serve its finest brews.

Doors for Friday’s concert open at 5 p.m., music starts at 6 p.m., and Hell’s Belles take the stage at 8:30 p.m. Tickets cost $25 in advance and $30 day of show. All ages are welcome. It is an outdoor show rain or shine. Low-back chairs are welcome (8 in. maximum from the ground, 30 in. maximum top of chair in highest position). No outside food or drinks are permitted. Smoking is permitted only in designated areas. Cameras with removable lens, video cameras, and recording devices are prohibited.

In addition to offering a rare view of Schuerman’s vintage car collection, the party at the brewpub at 12542 W. Fairview Ave. this Saturday will offer walkthrough tours of the recently restored trolley. Built in 1883 for the Oregon Railroad and Navigation Co., the railcar served as a series of bars in Boise upon its retirement in 1933 until arson ravaged it in 2006.

Sockeye will offer beer and food specials all day and present live music from 3-9 p.m. featuring local bands Bourbon Dogs and High Pine Whiskey Yell.