Spokane/E. WA/N. ID beer stuff (2025)

That's an unfortunate story, and I hope it works out for Brick West.

 

I am beginning to think the solution to sky high realty prices is for breweries to open in unfashionable areas and in the countryside.

 

That developer has kind of made himself into the local Darth Vader over the past year. BW might well be collateral damage for that.

 

The Grainmaker festival is coming up again. It's a little different this year.
https://washingtonbeerblog.com/grainmaker-west-coast-collaboration-beer-fest-in-spokane/
I understand why they would move to a larger brewery, given how crowded it was getting at YaYa, but what I liked about it was that you didn't have to buy a ticket, and you simply paid as you went for beers you wanted to try. Now you get unlimited 5oz pours, but you're coughing up $40. Yeah, there's a glass included, but at this point I have no room for more glassware.

 

And, at this point on the craft beer timeline, I wonder what breweries are getting out of pouring at most fests. Sure, maybe the local one that's a 'home game', or a specialty focused (Belgian, Stouts, Lagers, etc) fest, but your basic garden variety fest? What are they gaining by pouring 2-3 core beers anymore?

 

A Friday seems odd for a one day fest.......

 

Looks like a great place for beer and pizza, 4.8 Stars on Google Maps is a high rating to maintain.
We’ll have to try and check it out next time we’re in town. I’ve probably been to a dozen breweries in the area, quite a few good ones.
My wife grew up in Spokane, over on the south hill. We’re out there for a reunion, wedding, or vacation every couple of years it seems.

 

If you like hazy IPAs, pastry sours and the occasional big adjunct stout, you'd do well to pop by. If you're into WCIPAs, they're not the brewery for you. But after what was a rocky start, their pizza game is on point, particularly if into neapolitan style pizza.

 

Heading to Uprise in about an hour for their anniversary shindig:

 

I believe Phases of the Moon won some hardware (gold) at the International Beer and Cider Awards for 24. I’d imagine that Coffee Phases is a variant. Also, teaming up with Single Hill results in a tasty brew, I bet.

 

Yesterday I learned Fort George and Uprise are collaborating on 2 IPAs for the Grainmaker event. As a fan of both Fort George and Uprise, this interests me.

 

I've started to think I might need to go to that.

 

I didn't get around to the hazy, but I had the other special beers debuting yesterday.

 

Ok, I'm going to this. Probably the only local festival this summer that will actually have some unique beers. I think I can do it while entirely sticking to public transport. Ironically, it would have been about a 12min walk from my old digs.

 

I believe @BBThunderbolt has a can of Phases... in his possession. Perhaps he can tell us if it is medal-worthy.

 

Use code whistlepunk to get a discount if you have bought your ticket yet! See you Friday.

 

Another Spokane brewery closes it's doors, although it's theoretically on a temporary basis:

 

Bummer. Reece, Tim, and Vincent have all judged with the comp, hope they find a way forward.

 

Another brewery closure, but this time it looks to be temporary.

No Drought Brewing, in Spokane Valley, is closing for what they estimated will be a week, due to a "paperwork" issue with the state. They seem fairly confident they will be reopening soon. Apparently, there was an ownership change back in April, and this is perhaps related.