Loose Screw Beer Co. is an independent local craft brewery that specializes in quality beer and provides an elevated taproom experience to patrons. Owner Mike Garcia attributes the success of his downtown Meridian taproom to his company’s focus on community. In 2025, the brewery partnered with 50 different nonprofits on events and fundraisers. “Downtown Meridian was ripe for what we produced,” Garcia said. “At the end of the day, this community has brought us to where we’re at today.”Loose Screw’s community focus is reflected in its business model. The brewery limits distribution to add to the exclusivity of its in-person taproom experience. Meanwhile, the brewery partnered with Big Beantz Tacos, a local restaurant, to serve authentic Mexican cuisine to the taproom. “We purposely went into it with two objectives: to not have distribution and to not do food ourselves,” Garcia said. “We wanted to partner with someone else to own that food component that has the same caliber of elevated experience that we’re looking for.” The concept has resonated with beer drinkers, as the company’s sales grew 252% from 2022 to 2025. Since opening in 2022, Loose Screw’s downtown Meridian taproom is routinely packed. Eventually, Garcia hopes to open a second taproom in Boise. “I left a very well-paying 20-year career in commercial finance to do what I do now,” he said. “I wouldn’t trade it for the world. This is an awesome thing that we’re building.” ...read more read less