Not so pint-sized celebration
Over three years of operation, Pints Alehouse has developed a reputation for its impressive cellar of aged and specialty beers.
Now some of the biggest hitters are coming out to play for the anniversary party Friday and Saturday, with five featured each day.
“We’ve been preparing for this one for a couple of years,” says Derek Quist, co-owner of the North Spokane pub along with his wife, Patricia.
Tomorrow, look for:
- Avery Tweak 2014 (17.8 percent alcohol by volume), a huge imperial stout conditioned with organic coffee and aged in bourbon barrels.
- He'Brew Jewbelation 17 Reborn 2013 (17), a strong ale brewed with 17 malts and 17 hops.
- Midnight Sun Arctic Devil 2014 (13.2 percent ABV, 20 International Bitterness Units), a malty, English-style barrel-aged barleywine.
- Deschutes Super Jubel 2015 (10, 50), a beefier version of the brewery’s annual winter warmer, partially aged in Oregon Pinot oak casks.
- Full Sail Black Gold 2013 (9.6, 40), a bourbon barrel-aged imperial stout.
On Saturday, the lineup includes:
- The Bruery Sucre 2014 (16.9, 25), a variation on an English-style old ale fermented with Belgian yeast and blended from various barrels.
- Dogfish Head Olde School 2014 (15, 85), a smooth barleywine fermented with dates and figs.
- Lost Abbey Brandy Angel’s Share (12.5 ABV), a strong ale aged for a year in brandy barrels.
- Port Older Viscosity 2014 (12), a bourbon barrel-aged version of the Old Viscosity imperial stout.
- Fremont Kentucky Dark Star 2014 (11), a special release of the brewery’s imperial oatmeal stout aged in bourbon barrels.
Doors open at 3 p.m. each day. All the beers will be available in 5-ounce snifters as well as full 10- to 12-ounce pours.
“We figured a lot of people will want to try them all, and to do five full double-digit beers isn’t too smart,” Quist says.
Two more for the road: A pair of local breweries will be pouring new offerings on Friday.
River City welcomes our early spring with both the opening of its sidewalk patio at 3 p.m., and the release of this year’s Inconceivable Imperial Pilsner (7.1, 34), a bigger, hoppier version of the traditional golden German lager.
And at 5 p.m., No-Li launches its Oyster Stout (6.1, 30), which gets a smooth sweetness from flaked oats and milk sugar, and a bit of brine from fresh Puget Sound shellfish.