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Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Downdraft announces closure

Rick Bonino

North Idaho is losing its second brewery in the past three days.

Downdraft said in a Facebook post this morning that it will close its Post Falls brewery the weekend of Nov. 17-19 after three years in business. Regular operations will continue until then.

Coeur d'Alene's Slate Creek on Sunday announced without explanation that tomorrow is the final day for its taproom.

"As we have grown, we've found the market to be far more competitive and time-consuming than it was only five years ago when we contemplated this venture," Downdraft said in its announcement.

"As all of our partners work full-time, we realize that the nurturing and additional funds required to break through in the market have increased substantially. After evaluating our current position, future growth prospects, and how we would define success, we determined that it's best to press pause on Downdraft, for now.

"This has been a hell of a ride that has enriched our lives in many ways. We love and will miss our customers, many of whom have become friends, and thank each of you for support," it continued.

"Last but not least, we have had the honor to work with some of the industry's best and we thank our friends in our local craft community for the laughs and shared knowledge. Simply put: we came, we saw, we drank, and we are ready for our next chapter in life to begin. Thank you for making this venture so rewarding and memorable!"

Downdraft becomes the sixth area brewery to close in the past four years and the third in North Idaho, along with Post Falls' BiPlane in 2013.

Remaining breweries in Kootenai County include Daft Badger and Trickster's in Coeur d'Alene, Bombastic and Mad Bomber in Hayden and Post Falls Brewing and Selkirk Abbey in Post Falls.