Loose Screw Beer Co. is bringing its beer downtown. The Meridian-based brewery plans to open a taproom in early 2027 at 211 N. Eighth St. in Boise, taking over the space currently occupied by Rustica and building its first in-house kitchen into the deal.
The announcement, first reported by KBOI, comes after Loose Screw spent much of the past year searching for a new taproom location following the January closure of its McMillan spot in Boise. The new Boise taproom will serve beer brewed at the company's downtown Meridian brewery, with core beers and rotating seasonal releases on tap alongside a main gathering area and a private event space for hosting.
Ryan Poffenbarger will lead menu development and oversee the kitchen, a first for Loose Screw, whose prior locations operated without one. The Boise menu is expected to include handhelds, pizza, salads and shareable appetizers, according to the station's report. Co-founder Mike Garcia said the company feels fortunate to join downtown Boise's restaurant and beer-bar community and to contribute to its beer culture, per the same account.
From Garden City Startup to Downtown Expansion
Loose Screw's path to downtown Boise traces back to a 2020 launch in Garden City, followed by a 2021 expansion into a 2,200-square-foot McMillan location and the 2024 opening of its flagship downtown Meridian operation, as reported by idahostatesman.com. That Meridian space, a remodeled former Chapel of the Chimes funeral home, now houses the brewery's entire production facility along with the taproom and an events center, according to BoiseDev's 2024 report on the opening.
Garcia said downtown Meridian was an important launch point and that the surrounding community helped turn an underused building into a community hub, the station noted. Co-founder Pam Garcia said the company aims to be welcoming to people whether they're having a beer, grabbing a meal or just connecting with friends. The Meridian project went on to earn the People's Choice Award in the Idaho Business Review's Top Projects Awards, and Loose Screw ranked 12th among Idaho's fastest-growing companies on BoiseDev's Peak 43 list.
McMillan Closure and a Disputed Taproom Limit
Loose Screw's McMillan taproom closed after a final day on January 4, 2026, and the company said at the time that the decision was not due to a lack of sales or community support. Instead, Loose Screw said Idaho law limits breweries to two taprooms, with one required to be attached to the production facility, per idahostatesman.com's December report. A supplied excerpt of Idaho Code § 23-1003 from the Idaho Legislature describes a different formulation, stating that a brewer may sell at its licensed main production brewery and at no more than two remote retail locations, subject to specified license fees. The two descriptions do not align, and the available record does not resolve exactly how the limit applies to Loose Screw's taproom footprint.
At the time of the McMillan closure, the company said it was actively exploring its next taproom location — a search that has now led to the Boise announcement. Loose Screw also plans to build local partnerships and host community events at the new taproom, and the company said it will share opening updates through its social media channels and app.
What Happens to Rustica and the 8th Street Space
Rustica plans to remain open through the end of 2026 before Loose Screw moves in. Owner Dan Watt will continue to operate Saint Lawrence Gridiron and Suite 104, and the transition to the Boise taproom is expected to give Watt more time outside the restaurant, according to KBOI's report. Rustica itself had taken over the 211 N. Eighth St. address in 2024, following the departure of Juniper after a decade in that spot, as idahostatesman.com reported at the time. The space can hold about 120 diners and had featured a menu of small plates, salads, soups, pastas, entrees and 12-inch pizzas under Rustica's run — a scale that gives some sense of the footprint Loose Screw will inherit when it moves in next year.
