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

Your weekly roundup

Rick Bonino

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

Iron Goat on Wednesday sent its first shipment of beer to the Seattle area. The brewery has more than doubled its production capacity since moving to its larger downtown location last spring, allowing for wider distribution of both bottles and draft.

No-Li is pulling out of the Oregon market – at least for now – to keep up with growing demand in its core territory of Washington and parts of Idaho.

Spokane’s largest brewer expects to produce 14,000 barrels this year, up from last year’s 11,500. With production all but maxed out at the brewery here, No-Li has been brewing at Hale’s Ales in Seattle to help supply Western Washington accounts.

No-Li continues to work toward an expanded Spokane production facility, and plans call for resuming Oregon distribution when supplies allow.

• Progress continues on Twelve String’s larger new home in the Valley on First just west of Pines (a couple of miles from its current location), with a new roof taking shape. If all goes smoothly, the relocated taproom could open by the end of the year.

There’s also a new head brewer on board, Kevin Pierce, who spent the past 17 years at Anacortes Brewery.

• Finally, some good news for the Montana craft community: Gov. Steve Bullock has signed legislation raising production limits on the state’s brewers.

Breweries haven’t been able to sell beer in their taprooms – a significant source of income – if they made more than 10,000 barrels a year. The new law increases that to 60,000 barrels.

That should lead to more locally brewed beer for Montana drinkers, some of which might even make it over our way.