Your weekly roundup

Catching up with more news from the past week in local craft beer:

– Iron Goat’s barrel-aging program took a big step forward with Thursday’s arrival of 50 red wine barrels from Townshend Cellar, both French and American oak. They’ll be used in part to produce sours flavored with fruit from this year’s Green Bluff harvest.

The Goat previously had a dozen barrels, mostly whiskey but also wine and gin. Its new downtown location provides much more space for the barrel operation.

Waddell’s also snagged eight of the Townshend barrels to use for aging its sours.

– Fred Meyer isn’t the only grocery outfit looking to get into the local growler business: Yoke’s has applied for state approval to sell beer to go at its Mead store. The eight taps will go into operation as soon as licensing is secured.

“There’s obviously a demand there,” says Terry Edwards, alcohol buyer for the regional Spokane-based chain. “We thought we would pioneer it at the Mead store and see what happens.”

– A fledgling Facebook page and website have surfaced for the Spokane Brewers Festival, which reportedly will take place Aug. 12-14 in the Spokane Arena parking lot. We’ll keep you posted with more information as it becomes available.

– Mark your calendar for the next brewer’s dinner at Hills’ Restaurant and Lounge on July 17, featuring Full Sail. The beer lineup includes Blood Orange Wheat, Capsize Imperial Pilsner, Hop Pursuit IPA and a fourth to be determined.

– Downtown Spokane's latest parklet – a temporary, parking spot-sized patio – has landed outside Orlison’s taproom on West First.     

– No-Li is presenting the beer garden for the Fourth of July celebration in Riverfront Park from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., with proceeds supporting park renovations.

– Finally, on the holiday closure front, Iron Goat, River City and Selkirk Abbey will be closed Monday, while Downdraft will shut down early today at 4 for the weekend. Happy Fourth, everyone!