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

Winter’s circle

Rick Bonino

Drinkers at The Lantern Tap House's Winter Beer Fest were an especially stout-hearted bunch this year.

Dark, hearty stouts were the winners in people's choice voting all three nights of the fourth annual event:

• Thursday (Idaho/Montana/Colorado/California breweries): Santa's Little Helper imperial stout, Port Brewing, San Marcos, Calif.

• Friday (Oregon): Tough Love bourbon barrel-aged imperial stout, Crux Fermentation Project, Bend

• Saturday (Washington): Cherry Chocolate Stout, Iron Goat Brewing, Spokane

Ten beers from each region poured each night in the outdoor festival tent.

Winners in last year's inaugural voting were Epic's Big Bad Baptist imperial stout, Fort George's Magnanimous IPA and Bale Breaker's High Camp imperial rye IPA.