What's Hoppin' this Week? 1/30

If it's Wednesday it must mean it's time for WHTW. I have finally mostly recovered from my Portland trip. I'm going to put together a blog post rundown of it later this week, but we made it to 22 breweries in about two and a half days, and there were plenty we missed. I guess I'll have to make another trip out there. As for this weekend, there is plenty going on, so let's get to it.

Thursday, January 31st

- One of Dogfish Head's brewers will be in the area this weekend and The Filling Station on 5th in CD'A is welcoming him for an event featuring some special beers and a chat about brewing techniques and Dogfish Head in general. 6 to 8 pm. Facebook.

- The Growler Guys in CD'A is hosting a tap takeover from Boise's Payette Brewing from 6 to 8 pm. Their rep will be in the house with some special beers and probably some swag. Facebook.

Friday, February 1st

- River City Brewing is holding an extra special First Friday garage party to Celebrate their 5th anniversary. Special anniversary beers will be on tap, along with music art and food. Happy anniversary, folks!!! 4 to 10 pm. Facebook.

- Bellwether is hosting their 3rd annual GruitFest from 3 to 10 pm. Gruit is an ancient type of ale that is generally bittered by herbal and spice blends rather than hops. This was the primary beer style in Europe well into the 15th century, before it fell out of favor due to German beer purity laws and a bunch of fun-hating religious types. This article is worth a read if you're interested in learning more. Anyway, as one of the only breweries in the state (and probably the country) to heavily specialize in ancient ales, Bellwether is uniquely qualified to host this event which will feature special brews from them and from other breweries around the area including Whistle Punk, Genus, The Grain Shed, Young Buck, Mountain Lakes and more. Tickets start at $15 for 5, 5-oz pours and a commemorative glass. Facebook.

- Chewelah's Quartzite Brewing Co. is releasing the latest edition of their Brown's Lake brown ale. $1 from each pint sold will be donated to the Brown's Lake Recreation Association, a non-profit that works to improve Brown's Lake in Chewelah. 3 to 9 pm. Facebook.

- Bon Bon - the bar attached to the old Garland Theater is celebrating First Friday with a tap takeover from Oregon's Ordinance Brewing. They will also be hosting art from a couple local artists and Bingo starting at 8pm. Facebook.

Sunday, February 3rd

- As you may know, there is a rather large football game happening on Sunday. From what I can see, pretty much every brewery and beer bar in the area that has TVs will be hosting some special event for the Super Bowl. There are too many to name here, but consider this your invitation to head to your favorite spot to enjoy the game and delicious beer. Kickoff is right about 3 pm. Facebook/IG/Twitter can provide full details to help plan your day. 

Wednesday, February 6th

- Bellwether is hosting a pint night to benefit the Friends of the Centennial Trail. $1 of each pint sold from 5 to 9 pm will be donated to benefit improvements to the Centennial Trail. Facebook.

What's Hoppin' this Week? 1/23

It's time for your weekly look at what's happening in the world of INW beer. It's finally looking like winter around here with yesterday's storm, so it a good time for this California-bred guy to get out of town this weekend. I'm heading down to Portland and Vancouver for a beer tasting trip and to check out the Portland auto show. I've had a lot of Portland beer, but haven't really spent that much time in the city, so I'm looking forward to it. I'm sure I'll have lots posts on my Instagram story and if you're interest in what I'm drinking specifically, I've been doing a better job of keeping my Untappd account up to date (gwild85). If you have any suggestions of places I must visit while I'm down there, please reach out on social media.

There is still plenty going on this weekend in our neck of the woods, so let's get to it. Cheers!

Thursday, January 24th

- Bellwether is winding down it's year of Sainted Beers with their wrap-up party from 3-9 pm. They'll be offering specials, gifts and drawings to celebrate the end of their year-long brewing project. Facebook.

- Matchwood Brewing in Sandpoint is having their first Story-Pour-y-Hour. This kid friendly event will feature family friendly stories being read plus milk and homemade cookies. Beer for the parents will also be available. 4 to 5:30 pm. Facebook.

- Steady Flow Growler House will be hosting a vertical tasting of Dogfish Head's much sought-after Minute IPAs. They'll have 75 minute, 90 minute, and both 2017 and 2018 versions of 120 minute Imperial IPA. (Fun fact, these beers are so named for how long hops are continuously fed into the boiling wort during the brew process. This allows them to add lots of hops without overwhelming bitterness. This oral history of the beer is worth a read.) They'll be pouring all day till 10 pm. Facebook.

- Nectar in Kendall Yards is putting together a featured flight of sour and special beers from Seattle's Urban Family Brewing. 6 to 9 pm. Facebook.

- Northern Quest's Riverbank Taphouse is hosting Leavenworth's Icicle Brewing for an event featuring their limited Ill Eagle Imperial IPA. Brewery reps will be on hand and there may be some swag available. Facebook.

Friday, January 25th

- Millwood Brewing is celebrating their first anniversary from 1 to 9 pm in their taproom. Beer specials, live music, raffles and giveaways throughout the night are all on tap. Plus food from Skewers Food Truck. Congrats on your first year, folks! Facebook.

- Whistle Punk Brewing in cooperation with LINC Malt is hosting the Spokane release of their recent collaboration brew with Yakima's Single Hill Brewing - Citizen Grain. This beer has been brewed entirely with NW grain and celebrates the yearly Cascadia Grains Conference. Facebook.

- The delightfully named Happy Trails to Brews is the newest beer bar to hit the area and they are celebrating their official grand opening in Northwest Spokane this weekend. They have put together a great lineup of beers and I'm definitely looking forward to checking them out. 5 to 10(ish) pm all weekend long.

- The Rocket Market on the South Hill is hosting another beer class and tasting focused on barrel-ged beers. You will get the opportunity to learn about the process and sample some beers from their cellar. Tickets are $25 and limited to only 30 seats. Facebook.

Saturday, January 26th

- Sandpoint's Utara brewing is chartering a bus for a special brewery tour of Spokane and Post Falls. This all day event will leave from Utara at about 10:30 am and hit at least 6 breweries before heading back. I am unsure if there are seats still available, so please reach out directly to the brewery ASAP to get more information. Facebook.

- Black Label Brewing in downtown Spokane is celebrating 4 years with a party from 6 to 10 pm. They'll be offering $4 pints and having raffles all night. Cheers to 4 years! Facebook.

Tuesday, January 29th

- Millwood Brewing is hosting a pint night to benefit Friends of the Centennial Trail. $1 from each pint sold after 5 pm will be donated to this great cause. Facebook.

What's Hoppin' this Week? 1/16

Hey everyone. Things are finally starting to pick back up in the beer scene around town now that we are fully into 2019 and the holidays are well behind us. Plenty of stuff to cover so let's get right to it. Cheers!

Thursday, January 17th

- Community Pint is going back into their cellar and putting together a special flight of 5 special barrel aged beers from the Northwest and beyond. Pouring from noon to 8 pm. Facebook.

- Bellwether is releasing it's newest ProAm collaboration with Jake Huss, the winner of a recent homebrew competition sponsored by (and using grains from) Joseph's Grainery. The saison they brewed will be available from 3 to 9 pm, but stop in between 5 and 8 if you want to meet the folks behind the beer. Facebook.

- The Riverbank Taphouse - the newest edition to Northern Quest Resort and Casino - is hosting a party to celebrate the release of several new beers from Post Falls Brewing from 5 to 7 pm. Reps from Post Falls will be on hand and there will be pint specials and giveaways throughout the evening. I got a chance to check the place out tonight, and I was impressed. NorthernQuest.com

- The Lantern's annual winter beer fest kicks off on Thursday at 4 pm and runs till Saturday. Each day has different options, but they will be featuring 28 winter beers from 24 different breweries. Tasting packages start at $15 and include a commemorative tasting glass. Check out Facebook for full details of each day.

Friday, January 18th

- Iron Goat is hosting a special pint night to benefit local Spokane non-profit, Global Neighborhood. From 5 to 9 pm, $1 from each pint sold will be donated and there will be live music. Facebook.

- Day 2 of the winter brew fest runs from 4 to 10 pm. Facebook.

Saturday, January 19th

- Daft Badger Brewing in CD'A is turning 4 years old and celebrating with a party from noon to 8 pm in their taproom. Food specials, live music and a new SMaSH IPA will be released to commemorate the event. Congrats on 4 Years!!! Facebook.

- Quartzite Brewing in Chewelah is celebrating their 3rd anniversary with events all weekend culminating in their big party from 2 to 9 pm. Beer specials, a food truck and commemorative pints will be available. Facebook. 

- Wallace Brewing is continuing their month-long celebration of their 10 year anniversary with their official anniversary party featuring live music, food, fun and games. 5 to 9 pm. Facebook.

- The final day of the Lantern's winter brew fest kicks off at 4 pm. Facebook.

Sunday, January 20th

- Iron Goat is staging their first in-house beer dinner, pairing five courses and five beers starting at 6:15 pm. Tickets are $60 and extremely limited so stop by or call to reserve your spot ASAP. The full menu and more details are available on Facebook.

Monday, January 21st

- North Spokane favorite, Waddell's Brewpub and Grille is also celebrating their 5th anniversary with a party from 6 to 8 pm. They will be releasing 4 specialty beers and giving away prizes all night. Facebook.

Tuesday, January 22nd

- Iron Goat is starting an educational series about the beer-making process and the first one is all about how different yeast varieties can change beer. $16 gets you a flight of the specially brewed beer that they exposed to six different yeast strains so you can taste how each strain changes the character of the beer. There will also be a yeast expert on hand to explain the process and answer questions. There are 3 separate sessions (4:30 pm, 6 pm and 7:30 pm) each with space for only 12 people, so buying tickets in advance is encouraged. Facebook.

Wednesday, January 23rd

- The Idaho Pour Authority, a beer bar in Sandpoint, is hosting a fundraiser for the Kaniksu Land Trust. There will be a silent auction, raffles, live music and beer from 12 String Brewing. Facebook.

What's Hoppin' this Week? 1/9

It's time for another wintry edition of What's Hoppin' this week. A pretty quiet week as far as I can see, but as always, if I missed something, please let me know so I can get the word out. Let's get right to it. Cheers!

Thursday, January 9th

- Nectar in Kendal Yards is doing a tap takeover featuring two very popular Northwest breweries - Icicle Brewing in Leavenworth and Pelican Brewing on the Oregon coast. From 6 to 8 pm, they will be pouring flights and brewery reps will be on hand to chat about the beer. Facebook.

- The Garland District's Beerocracy will be pouring a 3 year vertical (2016, 2017 and 2018 versions) of Lagunitas Brewing's Willettized Imperial Coffee Stout. They will also be featuring of Lagunitas' Sumpin' Easy Ale. 6 to 8 pm. Facebook.

- The Filling Station on 5th in CD'A is holding a cellar release party for several beers from Firestone Walker Brewing. A brewery rep will be on hand and prizes and swag will be given out. Facebook.

Friday, January 10th

- Starting Friday afternoon and running all weekend, Wallace Brewing is continuing their month-long anniversary celebration with hourly swag giveaways in their Orehouse tasting room. Stop by for a beer and to wish them well on 10 years. Facebook.

What's Hoppin' this Week? 1/2

Happy new year everyone and welcome to the first 2019 edition of What's Hoppin' this Week. I had a great break visiting family and friends in San Francisco and Reno, and I - of course - managed to find my way to several breweries in both areas. I posted about most of them on Instagram, but it never ceases to amaze me the number of dedicated brewers and craft beer fans that make brewing a viable industry in cities both large and small. Anyway, I hope everyone had a wonderful and relaxing holiday season and y'all are ready to attack 2019 with both vim and vigor. On to the beer. Cheers!

Thursday, January 3rd

- Starting at 3 pm and running through Sunday, Pints Alehouse in North Spokane is holding their annual Fidy Fest featuring 5 variations of Ten Fidy Imperials Stout brewed by Colorado's Oskar Blues. This yearly release is always highly sought after so it's a good chance to sample a few different versions. Facebook.

Saturday, January 5th

- Hayden's Bombastic Brewing is opening up their brewhouse (or hangar, technically) on Saturday from 10 am to 4 pm for a special release of their 2018 barrel aged beers. They will have several beers on offer and they will only be available on site on a first come, first serve basis so get there early. More info can be found here. 

- Wallace Brewing Company in Wallace, ID is celebrating 10 years in business all throughout the month of January and they are kicking it off by offering a free anniversary pint glass to anyone who buys a pint starting at 1 pm. Congrats on 10 years! Facebook.

- 12 String Brewing has declared January "customer appreciation month" so they will be offering special deals in their taproom all month long. They will be updating their deals frequently so I suggest keeping an eye on their Facebook and Instagram for full details.