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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Twelve going on 20

Rick Bonino

Since Saturday is the 20th annual 12 Ales of Christmas party at Capone’s in Coeur d’Alene, you should know the drill by now:

– Eight-ounce pours of a dozen seasonal offerings from local and regional brewers, starting at 6:30 p.m., with a scorecard to vote for your favorites? Check.

– A buffet full of food, DJ music and goodie bags including souvenir T-shirts? Check.

– An ugly sweater contest with gift cards for the winners, plus more prize drawings all night long? Check.

– And after all that imbibing, a free cab ride home for customers living in Coeur d’Alene? Safety check.

You get all that for $55. Tickets are available at the pub, but you might not want to wait too long; the event sold out in advance last year.

Along with familiar favorites, the beer lineup will feature some newcomers this year, including Selkirk Abbey’s Guilt imperial coffee porter and Paradise Creek’s Peppermint Porter.

And for the first time, a hard cider will be part of the mix: One Tree’s Tipsy Elf, a blend of the Spokane Valley cidery’s cranberry and caramel cinnamon flavors.

“We’re trying to get more locals involved,” says Capone’s manager Tyler Geigle.