Region’S Breweries Early With The Presents

Feeling bummed because it’s still almost six weeks before you get to open your presents?

Well, take heart. Area brewers are busy unwrapping their winter holiday beers to help you pass the time.

One of the best you’ll find anywhere is the winter ale from Northern Lights Brewing in Airway Heights. Don’t be fooled by the lighter, amber color; this is an earthy, hoppy, powerful masterpiece, everything a celebratory beer should be.

While Northern Lights doesn’t have its own pub (yet, anyway), look for the beer on tap throughout the region and in 22-ounce bottles in such specialty stores as Jim’s Home Brew and Huckleberry’s.

It’s also one of the few local beers in the big, bold, brown British “winter warmer” style. Another fine example, from Sandpoint’s Pend Oreille Brewing, is coming soon both on draft and, for the first time, in bottles (12-ouncers).

This winter, hearty black stouts seem to be particularly popular around these parts.

Across from the Spokane Arena, the Ram’s Slapshot Stout is scheduled to stick around through hockey season. A bit bigger than last year’s version (which went by the name Winter Warlock), its smooth, silky body — thanks to the oats used in the brewing process — is balanced by a dry, bitter, roasty finish.

In North Spokane, Solicitor’s Corner plans to bring back its potent Russian imperial stout in mid-December.

And for a real treat, check out the Vanilla Wine Stout from Coeur d’Alene Brewing. It’s aged in merlot barrels the brewery bought from L’Ecole Winery in Walla Walla, with whole vanilla beans tossed in for good measure. The result is a rich, strong beer with plenty of vanilla flavor and aroma up front, followed by subtle berry notes — truly a dessert in a glass.

It’s available in Spokane at the Steam Plant Grill, and in samples at the tasting room at the main brewery in Coeur d’Alene.

On the more mild-mannered side, the Bayou is still pouring its dunkelweizen, or dark wheat beer. The copper-brown concoction is relatively flavorful for a lighter-bodied beer, with a hint of fruitiness and a crisp finish.

And while Fort Spokane’s malty, honey-accented winter ale will have a bit deeper body than last year’s rendition, it will actually be lower in alcohol, according to brewer Jeb Wilson. “I want people to be able to have a few of them,” he says of the beer, due later this month.

After all, we’ve got plenty of time to kill before those other gifts arrive.

More glad tidings

Along with the locals, the winter beers from the major regional microbreweries keep rolling in.

Always eagerly awaited among hophead circles is Sierra Nevada’s Celebration. This year’s vintage doesn’t disappoint, with its piney, resiny hop bitterness.

On the other hand, Bridgeport’s new Ebenezer Ale, like most of the Portland brewery’s beers, is clearly in the malt camp. Rich, sweet and smooth, it can, as the label proclaims, “stand up to any figgy pudding.”

In its second year, Portland Brewing’s BobbyDazzler is again distinctive, with a full, fruity maltiness and a tangy hop finish.

Widmer’s roasty Winternacht, beefed up a bit this year, is notable for its long, dry finish. Thomas Kemper’s lighter Happy Cow Winterbrau, a relatively rare lager among microbrew ales, seems less roasty and more nutty this time around.

And Hale’s Wee Heavy is again full-bodied and malty-sweet, with a hint of cinnamon in its spicy finish — the way Wee wishes you a merry Christmas.

Twelve tipplers toasting

If you’d like to sample several winter beers in a single sitting, Capone’s annual “12 Beers of Christmas” is scheduled Dec. 9 at the Coeur d’Alene pub.

Participants will taste a dozen or more beers and vote for their favorites. Brewery representatives will be on hand to talk about the beers and pass out prizes.

Because everyone will also get a T-shirt this year, and details are still in the works, the admission price hasn’t been set yet. Call Capone’s at (208) 667-4843 for more details.

And if you go, Capone’s asks that you bring a designated driver or take a cab, to make sure you get safely home for the holidays.