What's Hoppin' this Week? 7/31

Happy August everyone! Summer continues to fly by and the heat doesn't show any signs of waning, so it's going to be a good week to stay cool with your favorite beverage.

We'll get to the events in a moment, but first a bit of programming news. As I mentioned last month, I recently took over as the beer columnist for the Spokesman-Review. In addition to my monthly column, my editor has also agreed to allow me to move this What's Hoppin' planner to the paper and website on a weekly basis. I'm definitely excited for this; the entire reason I started this blog was to bring back an events calendar when the Spokesman ended their On Tap blog last year. For the standard reader, not much will change. I'll still be posting the link to all my social media, it will still appear on Wednesday and have events through the following Tuesday. What it will mean for me, however, is that I will start having to basically work a week ahead. The planner will need to be submitted each Friday for publication the following Wednesday. Therefore I'm putting out a special plea to any of the industry folks who read this blog - please either send me info on your beer-related events as you plan them or at least get something up on Facebook or other social media as early as possible. I can't include events that I don't know about. Hopefully, I'll have some leeway to make late additions for the online version, but there are no guarantees. Also do to potentially space constraints in the paper I can't guarantee everything will make it in every week, but I'll do my best to signal-boost anything that gets missed as I see it. The increased eyeballs and reach of the Spokesman should not only help my venture, but also bring more awareness to all of the great beer events happening every week in the INW. Cheers!

On to the events:

Thursday, August 1st

- Community Pint is kicking of their weekend-long anniversary party. A full tap list hasn't been announced yet, but expect a IPA heavy rotation Thursday and Friday with a focus on barrel aged stuff Saturday. Keep an eye on Facebook for full details.

- Nectar in Kendall Yards is holding their Monthly featured flight kickoff from 6 to 8 pm. This month, they will be featuring beers from Olympia-area favorite Three Magnets Brewing and Matchless Brewing. Facebook.

- Bellwether Brewing continues their "Summer of Sours" release series with the "Fimbrethil Pine Kveik." See the event page for a description and story behind the name. Facebook.

- The 3rd edition of the Lester Cup is kicking off and runs through September 15th. This time, six breweries - Bellwether, Black Label, The Grain Shed, Humble Abode, Mountain Lakes and Whistle Punk are battling it out to see who brings home the cup. The theme this time is "Fruit beers." To participate, stop by any of the breweries, pick up a ballot and try their competition beer. Go to each brewery and get your ballot stamped as you try each beer. Once you've had them all, you vote for your favorite and you're eligible to come to the awards party sometime in September. Facebook.

Friday, August 2nd

- Although they now have a full taproom again, River City Brewing is continuing their tradition of throwing First Friday garage parties in their Downtown Spokane location from 4 to 10 pm. There will be live music, a food truck and, of course, plenty of beer. Facebook.

- Although they have been quietly open since Hoopfest weekend, River Rock Taphouse in Downtown Spokane is ready to celebrate their official grand opening all weekend long. There will be live music, tap takeovers, food specials and more. Congrats! Facebook.

- Garland area favorite Bon Bon is hosting Moses Lake's Ten Pin Brewing for a tap takeover and bingo night from 6 to 10 pm. Facebook.

What's Hoppin' this Week? 7/24

Welcome back to What's Hoppin' this Week. Now that I'm finally back in town after traveling the past couple weekends, I'm excited to be back home and look forward to hitting up some of my favorite spots this week.

Thursday, July 25th

- Millwood Brewing is hosting several events throughout the month of July for people to learn more about the beer making process. Their latest event will be a visit out to the hop farm at Big Barn Brewing in Mead. Attendees will learn about hops and how they are processed and you'll be able to sample some Big Barn beers after the tour. The tour runs from 6 to 7:30 and although it is a free event, they ask that you confirm attendance via Facebook.

Friday, July 26th

- Hunga Dunga Brewing in Moscow, ID is throwing a party to celebrate their 3rd anniversary from 4 to 11 pm. There will be a raffle and swag, with live music starting at 8 pm. Congrats on 3 years! Facebook.

- There are a limited number of tickets still available for the latest Nectar beer dinner this time featuring Boise's Payette Brewing. The four course meal will include beer Payette beer pairings and reps and chefs will be on hand to discuss the food and beer. Facebook.

- Crafted Tap House in CD'A is bringing in Montana's Kettle House Brewing for a tap takeover from 5 to 9 pm. Facebook.

- Mead's Hop Mountain Taproom is hosting a tap takeover featuring beers from Spokane's River City Brewing from 6 to 9 pm. Facebook.

Saturday, July 27th

- Idaho-based non-profit, Rural Roots, is sponsoring a beer festival at the Latah County Fair and Event Center in Moscow, ID from 4 to 10 pm. Several local and regional breweries will be represented as well as live music and other fun. Entry is free, but a tasting package including a commemorative glass and 4 pours is $15. Facebook.

- Continuing their beer lesson series, Millwood Brewing is inviting interested folks to join their brewing team as they take you through a typical brew day. Learn more about the brewing process and see first hand the effort it takes to produce the beer we enjoy. 9 am to noon. Please register in advance. Facebook.

- From 4 to 8 pm, Happy Trails to Brews is hosting another Happy Tails at Happy Trails event to support Path of Hope animal rescue. A portion of sales will be donated and Path of Hope will be on hand with some of their furry friends. Facebook.

Tuesday, July 30th

- The final session of Millwood's Beer-ology series focuses on pouring and sampling beer as well as an intro to sensory training. 6 to 7:30 pm. Facebook.

What's Hoppin' this Week? 7/17

It's time yet again for WHTW, your weekly planner for the world of INW beer. After having a great time (and great beer) in Sandpoint last weekend, I will be spending this upcoming weekend in Billings, MT. While the trip isn't strictly beer related, I do plan on checking out as many local breweries as I can, so if you have any suggestions of places I must visit, please reach out. As usual, you can follow along on social media to see where I end up. Cheers! 🍻

Thursday, July 18th

- Community Pint is bringing in a collection of collaboration beers released by San Diego's Modern Times Brewing. They will be offering taster specials on all of these beers all weekend long. Facebook.

- Bellwether Brewing is releasing their latest "Summer of Sours" series beer in conjunction with a special pint night to raise money for Peak 7 Adventures, a local non-profit that offers outdoor adventure trips for under-resourced youth in the community. 3 to 9 pm. Facebook.

- Bardic Brewing is releasing their newest beer, a beefy, 10.8% Belgian Strong Ale and selling it as part of their weekly bottle and growler fill night in their brewing facility in the Valley from 5 to 7 pm. Facebook.

Saturday, July 20th

- Bellwether is hosting their annual Braggotfest, celebrating this ancient ale-mead hybrid from 1 to 10 pm. Several local breweries have produced braggots for the event, so it's sure to be a day of fun and interesting drinks. Tickets are $15 and include a commemorative tasting glass and five tokens. Facebook.

Wednesday, July 24th

- The Lantern Tap House is brining in Double Mountain Brewery and Cidery from Hood River, OR for a tap takeover from 5 to 8 pm. Facebook.

What's Hoppin' this Week? 7/10

It's that time of week again beer fans. Summer is rushing by as usual, but there is still time to stop and enjoy the hops. First off a bit of housekeeping. As you have heard if you follow my social media, I have recently taken over as the writer of the Spokesman-Review's On Tap Column. I will be putting out monthly columns to start, highlighting all that the local beer scene has to offer. It will definitely be a lot of learning as I go, but I am excited for the challenge. Don't worry though, the blog isn't going anywhere. I will still put out the weekly What's Hoppin' posts and all my social media will still be through this blog, but my partnership with the Spokesman will hopefully increase readership and engagement and improve my ability to bring you the best possible coverage of beer in the Inland Northwest. Without further ado, on to the events. Cheers! 🍻

Thursday, July 11th

- Nectar is kicking off its Summer Funk Fest with a special featured flight of sour beers and farmhouse ales from around the world from 6 to 8 pm. They will be featuring a rotating list of funky beers all month long, so keep an eye on their tap list. Facebook.

Friday, July 12th

- Bottles in Millwood is bringing in Firestone Walker for a tap takeover from 5 to 8 pm. They will be tapping a couple limited release offerings and some traditional Firestone favorites. The Farmer's Daughter Food Truck will there serving all evening as well. Facebook.

Saturday, July 13th

- Sandpoint is holding its 6th annual Beerfest at Trinity at City Beach from noon to 5 pm. Several local and regional breweries will be on hand at this family friendly event and there will be live music, games and food. I will be making my first trip out to Sandpoint for this event, so if you're going to be there, let me know. Facebook.

- Top Frog Brewing in Newport, WA  is celebrating their 6th anniversary with a party at their taproom from 1 to 9 pm. They will be offering beer specials, a food truck and live music all day. Happy 6th! Facebook.

- Also celebrating an anniversary, the Kilted Growler Tap House in Hayden is celebrating their first year from 11 am to 9 pm. There will be an outdoor beer garden, live music, special beer releases and more. Facebook.

- From 11 am to 2 pm, Iron Goat Brewing will be celebrating the second release in their Goatworks Mixed Fermentation Series. It is their "Brett d'Or du Claret, a mixed fermentation blend of four year old and two year old golden ales fermented in Barrister Winery Merlot and Cab Franc barrels with Barrister crushed wine grapes." I can tell you that their first release was fantastic and I am very excited to get my hands on a bottle (or two) of this new one. Facebook.

- The Backyard Public House is holding their second annual "Paws for a Cause" event from 2 to 5 pm on their patio. Bring yourself and your four-legged friends down during that time for beer specials, music, games and pups. A portion of all proceeds will be donated to local animal shelters. Facebook.

- Unifest, an annual event that celebrates local music, art, food and beer will be held in the parking lot of River City Brewing from 4 to 10 pm. Facebook.

Wednesday, July 17th

- The Lantern Tap House in the Perry District is hosting the local release of the third in a series of five collaboration beers that Portland's Ecliptic Brewing is putting out leading up to their 5th anniversary in October. This release is a Nectarine Sour brewed with Portland's Breakside Brewing. The event runs from 5 to 8 pm and they will have several other Ecliptic beers on tap as well. Facebook.

What's Hoppin' this Week? 7/3

Happy 4th of July! I've been out enjoying the holiday, so just time for delayed and abbreviated WHTW post for your reading pleasure. Cheers! 🍻

Friday, July 5th

- Bellwether is releasing their newest "Summer Of Sours" ale and is combining it with a fundraiser for Our Place in West Central. Throughout the entire month of July, $1 of every pint sold will be donated and they will also be collecting non-perishable food items for the food bank. Facebook.

Saturday, July 6th

- The Downtown Coeur d'Alene Brew Fest is taking place in McEuen Park from 1 to 7 pm. Your ticket gets you six, 5-oz samplers and a commemorative pint glass. There will also be food trucks, live music and games. Facebook.

- Bombastic Brewing is releasing cans of their "Blood Orange Dazzle" ale directly from their brewing facility from 10 am to 4 pm (or till they run out). Facebook.

Tuesday, July 9th 

- Nectar is doing a special cheese pairing night with well-known Belgian Brewery Delirium from 6 to 8 pm. They will be pairing three beers a selection of cheeses specifically chosen to compliment each drink. Brewery reps will be around to talk about the beers and the brewery. Facebook.

Wednesday, July 10th

- Delirium will also be on tap at the Lantern and you will be able to keep the special glass with your first order while supplies last. Facebook.