SCBW: Day 5
A handful of beer releases in both Spokane and North Idaho highlight today’s Craft Beer Week action:
– River City’s seasonal Clocktower imperial IPA (8.5 percent alcohol by volume, 110 International Bittering Units) returns for a third summer with a new look.
It was fermented with a combination of the brewery’s regular, fruitier English ale yeast and a cleaner West Coast yeast, and got a double dose of middle/late hop additions, with citrusy Amarillo added to this year’s mix and the amount of pungent Apollo bumped up.
“This year, we saturated this beer with hops,” says brewer Todd Grove. “The hop oils really coat your mouth.”
– In Post Falls, Belgian-themed Selkirk Abbey is releasing its second barrel-aged beer: a version of its Guilt imperial porter (8.3, 57) brewed without the typical coffee and divided between syrah and cabernet barrels for six months, then blended.
“The result is nothing short of stunning,” Selkirk’s Facebook page proclaims. “The berry notes from the syrah shine through the rich creamy dark malts and then fade into a robust tannic dryness from the burgundy.”
A limited amount goes on tap today at the brewery, with wax-dipped and numbered 22-ounce bottles to follow in stores.
– Coeur d’Alene’s Paragon Brewing – currently a restaurant/pub, with a brewery planned – is tapping a collaboration beer its owners brewed with Trickster’s, a hefty “What the Helles” maibock (6.8, 23).
– Twelve String is releasing its latest batch of imperial Mango Mambo aged in tequila barrels – the best one yet, owner/brewer Terry Hackler says – and also hosting the 3ninjas food truck with a special menu designed to pair with the house beers. (If you missed their special guest taps by other area brewers yesterday, those still are around for a bit, too.)
- And in a poke at Anheuser-Busch, Daft Badger is pouring a hearty Pumpkin Peach Ale (8, 25) in a nod to the infamous Budweiser commercial.
In other events and ongoing offerings:
– English Setter is featuring appetizer and beer specials from 4 to 6 p.m., followed by brewery tours from 6 to 8.
– Perry Street hosts live music starting at 6 p.m., with local favorites Folkinception followed by hot Missoula bluegrass band Lil’ Smokies.
– Hopped Up is serving specialties including a Carolina Reaper chili beer, sweet-tart sour blackberry stout, double-hopped Mad Hopper IPA and rotating Quality Cream ales infused with raspberry, cantaloupe and lemon.
– Black Label is serving another flavor-infused beer through its Randall, the American Wheat over blueberries and blackberries.
– Both Iron Goat and Deschutes are featured in tastings at the north side Total Wine from 4 to 7 p.m.
– All-local beers are pouring at The Lantern Tap House and the Hop Shop, the latter of which has Local Brew Trivia from 6 to 8 p.m.
– The South Hill Growler Guys is featuring beers from the greater Inland Northwest Ale Trail, with several also on tap at the North Side location.