California Missed This One

Maybe it was just a matter of time. Seattle, that breeding ground of both the espresso craze and the microbrew revolution, is bringing us a beer with coffee in it.

Redhook’s Double Black Stout, brewed with a dose of a Starbucks coffee blend, made its official debut in the Seattle and Portland areas last week.

A small supply of kegs has been shipped to Spokane, so look for it on draft any day now. Double Black will also be available in 22-ounce bottles starting next month.

Beer and coffee are not an unnatural pairing. The roasted malts used in many dark beers have long been described as having coffee-like qualities. Seattle’s Hart Brewing Co. previously dubbed its darkest offering “Espresso Stout,” although there’s nary a bean to be seen inside.

And there’s a corporate connection. Gordon Bowker, one of the people who started Starbucks in 1971, moved on to become a co-founder of Redhook a decade later.

Double Black Stout begins with Redhook’s regular honeyed imperial stout recipe: six varieties of malted barley, a bit of wheat, honey and two types of hops. A brewed blend of Starbucks’ rich Central American arabica coffees is added following primary fermentation.

The touch of coffee in the finish “cleanses the palate a bit,” says Starbucks’ Kat Spellman.

We’ll just have to see for ourselves. And only time will answer the ultimate question: If you drink it after dinner, will you have trouble falling asleep at night? Probably not. Each 22-ounce bottle of Double Black contains 30 milligrams of caffeine, about one-fourth the amount found in a cup of coffee.

Fall guys

Autumn’s approach also marks the appearance of heartier harvest and Oktoberfest beers.

Hale’s, which traditionally showcases a single variety of freshly harvested Yakima Valley finishing hops in its Harvest Ale, has opted for two this year: the sharper Nugget and the sweeter, mellower Centennial.

“What we’re trying to accomplish is getting some of the pineyness of the Nugget along with a lingering floral effect from the Centennial,” said Hale’s Dave Metzger. Look for it starting this weekend.

Fort Spokane’s ruby-red Octoberfest, scheduled for release late next week, will be flavored with German Hallertauer hops this year along with its characteristic Czech Saaz.

Birkebeiner Brewing Co.’s malty, Marzen-style Octoberfest also appears next week and will be preceded by another reddish, medium-bodied, yet-unnamed new beer that brewer James Gimurtu says will have a “supercharged hop flavor.” Gimurtu is asking his customers to suggest names, with the winner receiving a free pint.

Across the border, Lewiston brewer M.J. Barleyhopper’s Oktoberfest has just arrived at North Idaho outlets. And T.W. Fisher’s Red Oktober will be available in plenty of time for the annual Oktoberfest celebration at the Coeur d’Alene brewpub on Oct. 7.

Fisher’s Cherry Porter, a big hit as a holiday seasonal last year, made an early return at the beginning of this month and should be around through the winter. “We might even make it one of our mainstays, there’s been such a demand for it,” said brewer Laurie Kraus.

Plans call for the fruity porter and other Fisher’s seasonals to be sold in stores in 22-ounce bottles before long, Kraus said.

Hopping around

As part of its official grand opening celebration, Wine Stein’Z, 1103 E. Sprague, is offering half-price beers from selected breweries each night through Sept. 29 …

The next Hale’s beer dinner will be Monday at 7 p.m. at Europa Pizzaria and Bakery, 125 S. Wall. The fourcourse menu features sauerbraten accompanied by Hale’s raspberrytinged Razzleberry and a chocolatestout cake. Cost is $25, including tax and tip; call 455-4051 …

Hale’s, already available in Washington and Idaho, has received approval from Montana state officials to start selling beer there. Look for it on the west side of the state starting as soon as mid-October …

And Birkebeiner is advertising for a “marketing guru” to “develop, grow and make Birkebeiner Ales known throughout the world.” Brew locally, drink globally?

, DataTimes The following fields overflowed: CREDIT = Rick Bonino The Spokesman-Review