Red-nosed revelry

You know the holidays are here when Rudolph is back on TV and the 12 Ales of Christmas returns to Capone’s.

As of this afternoon, some 40 tickets still were left for the 19th annual celebration at the original Capone’s in Coeur d’Alene this Saturday at 6:30.

The star attractions again are the titular dozen seasonal beers – from familiar favorites such as Jubelale, Snow Cap and Celebration, to the less routine likes of Pelican’s Bad Santa and Diamond Knot’s Ho!Ho!, to locals including Twelve Strings of Winter and Slate Creek’s Windburn Winter Imperial Red.

Those attending again get 7-ounce pours of each, and a scorecard to rate them. “They always get more interesting the farther you get into it,” Capone’s manager Tyler Geigle says of the customer comments.  

“They kind of help us for next year,” he adds. “If people really like something, we’ll bring it back.”

But that’s only the beginning of what you get for your $55. There’s also a full buffet of pasta, cheese breads and more, a souvenir tasting glass and T-shirt and plenty of raffle prizes, with special awards for the winners of the ugly sweater contest.

And at the end of the night, after all that beer, those who need it can get a free cab ride home (in the immediate Coeur d’Alene area; you pay the difference for longer trips).

After all, Capone’s wants everyone safe and sound for next year’s 20th birthday bash. “It will be a big one,” Geigle assures.