Distributed in WA, 3 other states, this Idaho brewery has a following and new owners

A downtown brewery is being sold after eight years.

And its new owners might be familiar to fans of the Boise beer scene.

Woodland Empire Ale Craft, 114 W. Front St., will change hands Friday, said Dave Krick, one of the buyers.

The new ownership will be split four ways — equally. Two of the owners will be Krick and his wife and business partner, Jami Adams, who own Bittercreek Alehouse, Diablo & Sons and Red Feather Lounge on 8th Street in downtown Boise. The others will be David Roberts, general manager at Bittercreek, Diablo and Red Feather, and Jake Black, owner of Lost Grove Brewing, 1026 S. La Pointe St.

Woodland Empire founders Rob and Keely Landerman opened the brewery and taproom in 2014.

“... The Empire couldn’t be in better hands,” the brewery posted on social media, “and we think they’ll do a great job continuing on and growing what we built. Plus, Keely will still be part of our incredible brew team, so you’re guaranteed great beer as always!”

Woodland Empire plans to close for “a couple of weeks” during the transition, according to the post.

In a phone interview, Krick said that the brewery has a loyal following and that no immediate changes are planned. “Definitely not with the beer,” he said. “I think that’s one of things that we like about what they’re doing over there. Keely does a great job, and Keely’s staying with us, which is really cool.”

Keely Landerman is Woodland Empire’s head brewer. The beer is distributed in Idaho, Washington, Oregon and Alaska, Krick said.

“We love the brand,” he said. “We’ve known Rob and Keely since they started it.”

“We were going to build a brewery at some point,” Krick explained, “and this just seemed like a much easier pathway and just a good opportunity.”

In late 2015, Krick announced plans for a brewery called Works Progress Administration. But that project has been delayed.

Might WPA beer eventually be brewed at Woodland Empire’s 15-barrel brewhouse?

“To be determined,” Krick said. “Right now, we don’t have the capacity for it. They’re at full capacity right now.”