Perfecting their craft
Crafted Tap House + Kitchen not only offers the most taps in Coeur d’Alene, at 50, but it’s started putting together an ambitious series of special weekly events.
“We’re working to keep people interested,” says Rob Berger, owner of the five-month-old establishment, done up industrial-chic style in a former auto shop at Sixth and Sherman. “There’s always something going on.”
In case you haven’t been keeping track, here’s how it all sorts out:
Tuesday: Trivia night starting at 8 p.m., with discounts on selected beers and prizes for the top three teams.
Wednesday: Both $2 pints on one or two drafts, and live music, starting at 6 p.m. (this week, it’s Spokane singer/songwriter Wyatt Wood). Customers choose the discounted beers through a “kill the keg” vote on Facebook.
Thursday: Beginning Dec. 18, the first and third Thursdays of each month will feature a five-course dinner and accompanying beers at 6:30 p.m., with the chef and bar manager on hand to discuss the pairings. Cost is $35; seating is limited to 30 people, on the mezzanine.
Friday: It’s a bit slow in coming, but Friday nights will eventually offer turtle races; customers can bet on which of the shelled reptiles will finish first, with food and beer discounts for the winners. There will be six house turtles, and people can bring their own (no word yet on whether those will be tested for performance-enhancing substances).
Berger says he got the idea from a place in Southern California, and “thought it would be kind of cool to bring it up here.” He has a turtle tank on order and hopes to start the races by year’s end.
Saturday: Starting at 10 p.m., you can play rock/paper/scissors with your bartender, and take 50 percent off your draft if you win (losers pay full price). So who’s been prevailing? “It’s running about 50-50,” Berger says. “It’s been fun.”
In addition to the recurring events, there are special brewery nights from time to time. This Saturday will see Firestone Walker coming in for “Merkin Madness” starting at 7 p.m., pouring its Velvet Merlin oatmeal stout, the mocha version and the bourbon barrel-aged Velvet Merkin.