On Tap: New Ale Trail map features 41 stops

After a longer than usual delay, the updated Inland Northwest Ale Trail map is returning bigger than ever.

There are 41 stops – up from the previous 27 – on the 2016 map, which will be released at area breweries March 5 in conjunction with a variety of special activities.

“We thought it would be a good way to get everybody out visiting their local breweries,” said River City’s Emily Schwartz, who coordinates the project.

The Ale Trail certainly has proved popular its first two times around. The initial map, featuring 16 breweries, was released in August 2013 with a print run of 30,000 copies. Almost all of those were gone by the time the 2014-15 map came out the following August; its first 40,000 copies went fast, so another 30,000 were printed.

For starters, there are 60,000 copies of the new map, which was delayed an extra six months in part to coordinate with an accompanying smartphone app. That’s expected to be available in April, and Ale Trail organizers hope it will help reduce the demand for, and expense of, the printed maps.

Maps will again be available at Ale Trail sponsors and area hotels along with participating breweries. While the list may have grown, the rules are the same: Visit at least 12 breweries, get your map stamped at each stop and receive a souvenir 32-ounce grunt.

This year’s map continues a westward expansion. Yakima Craft Brewing signed on last time around, and five of the new additions are from Central Washington: Yakima’s Bale Breaker, Ellensburg’s Iron Horse, Kennewick’s Ice Harbor, and Moses Lake’s St. Brigid’s and Ten Pin.

“There are so many in that area now, you could easily do a three-day weekend and hit all of them,” Schwartz says.

A second brewery, North Idaho Mountain, has been added on the eastern edge in Wallace. Other newcomers include 238 (Green Bluff), Badass Backyard (Millwood), Bellwether (Spokane), Bennidito’s Brewpub (Spokane), Daft Badger (Coeur d’Alene), Downdraft (Post Falls), English Setter (Spokane Valley), New Boundary (Cheney) and Quartzite (Chewelah).

Wee bit o’ beer

No-Li’s Get Lucky small-batch beer festival on March 5 has sold out, but the brewery just announced another: Red, White & No-Li on May 21, which is Armed Forces Day (20 tickets will be donated to service members). Tickets are $15 (includes T-shirt, souvenir glass and five samples) and go on sale today; see nolibrewhouse.com.

Freshly tapped

Twelve String’s seasonal single-hop Spring Reverb (6 percent ABV, 50 International Bitterness Units) this year features Mosaic for big tropical and stone fruit aroma and flavor with underlying earthy, grassy notes that carry into the lingering finish.

The latest in Perry Street’s series of single-hop pales, a Centennial (5.4, 40), balances citrusy lemon and floral, piney-spicy character over a slightly rich malt body.

The new single-hop pale at Bennidito’s Brewpub (5.8, 58) shows off piney, spicy Chinook.

A revised version of River City’s Riverkeeper IPA will have its formal launch at the March First Friday at Numerica Credit Union downtown. This year’s recipe is a little lower in alcohol (6.5 percent by volume, compared to the previous 7.2) and a bit dryer, with a tweaked hop mix; a portion of sales benefits the Spokane Riverkeeper environmental program.

Save the date

Saturday night is the final fling for The Hop Shop, which has lost its lease, with beer specials, live music and the Bite Me food truck (from original owners Andy and Glen Gardner).

A Lagunitas dinner Monday at The Blackbird will pair five courses (including molasses smoked duck) with accompanying beers. Cost is $65, including tax and tip; call (509) 392-4000 for reservations.

Slate Creek’s third anniversary party March 4 will feature a special doppelbock release along with $3 pints, live music, barbecue and raffles.

Perry Street celebrates its second anniversary March 11-12 with beer specials, prizes and music.

Daft Badger marks the release of its first two bottled beers – Summer’s Envy IPA and Josiah’s Revenge imperial stout – with a party March 12 featuring food specials, giveaways and two bands.

Send beer news, comments and questions to senior correspondent Rick Bonino at boninobeer@comcast.net.