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.