On Tap: 12 String readies for bottle release

Twelve String is hoping that its lucky new number will be 22.

After more than two years of planning, the Spokane Valley brewery expects to start putting several of its beers in 22-ounce bottles around mid-July and have them in stores shortly after.

“It’s kind of the next phase in this business, in my opinion,” said owner/brewer Terry Hackler. “I see inventory numbers for other breweries that I feel we’re similar to, and things look promising.”

Among other Spokane breweries, No-Li, which began bottling several years ago as Northern Lights, was joined last year by Iron Goat; Big Barn, on a more limited basis; and Orlison, which bottles seasonals to complement its regular canned offerings.

Twelve String recently added enough tanks to boost its annual production capacity from 1,200 barrels to around 2,000. Hackler figures at least half of that extra beer will end up in bottles.

“Part of the thing that’s taken so long is that we want to make sure we can back up the first batch we send (the distributor) before it runs out,” he said. “Right now, I’m just brewing as fast as I can. I’ve got to keep up with the draft, too.”

All the beer is brewed for the first bottling run, and Hackler this week added an assistant brewer with packaging experience. The holdup now is waiting for labels to arrive; once that happens, bottles should start rolling out to such local chains as Rosauers/Super 1, Yoke’s and Trading Company as well as specialty stores.

The standard bottled lineup will include Mango Mambo fruit hefeweizen, Batch 201 IPA, Electric Slide imperial IPA, Drop D Stout and the former Valley Red, which avid guitarist Hackler has renamed Red Guitar Red in honor of an old musician pal.

“He played this old beat-up red guitar, and he made that thing sound amazing,” Hackler said. “He inspired my playing at a time when I was very frustrated.”

A few specialties also will end up in bottles for taproom sales, and Hackler is considering canning his new summer seasonal Passion Fruit Gose if it proves popular enough.

“That’s something we probably would just sell out of here, or at some limited locations,” he said. “Getting cans into grocery stores is really challenging.”

More North Idaho breweries are getting into bottling, too.

Slate Creek plans to release its Norse Nectar juniper pale ale in 22-ounce bottles by the end of the month, and awaits label approval for a limited run of barrel-aged barleywine.

Meanwhile, MickDuff’s just bought a vintage bottling line and is aiming to release six-packs of 12-ounce stubbies by next spring.

Trickster’s recently began bottling its Juice Box and Hops on Parade IPAs for distribution in Coeur d’Alene, Spokane and the Tri-Cities, while Daft Badger is selling bombers of Badgers Bounty and Summer’s Envy IPAs and Josiah’s Revenge imperial stout out of its taproom.

Growlers and groceries

For the first time, growler fills are on the way at a pair of Spokane supermarkets.

A major remodel of the Fred Meyer in Spokane Valley, scheduled for completion this fall, will include a growler station. The two Spokane stores are expected to eventually follow suit; several of the Portland-based chain’s stores in other areas already offer growlers, including Coeur d’Alene.

And the Yoke’s in Mead will start pouring beer to go from eight taps as soon as it receives state licensing approval. If successful, that could extend to the Spokane-based chain’s other locations.

Freshly tapped

Twelve String’s summer seasonal Passion Fruit Gose (4.2 percent alcohol by volume, 12 International Bitterness Units) is lightly sour with a fruity, sweet/tart character.

Another summer offering, Slate Creek’s High Route Hefeweizen (5, 6) follows the traditional Bavarian style with banana and clove notes.

River City’s Inconceivable Imperial Pilsner (7.3, 34), formerly a spring seasonal, returns for summer with pilsner malt sweetness balanced by herbal, floral hops and a crisp, dry finish.

The latest single-hop pale ale (4.7, 39) at Bennidito’s Brewpub, released for Independence Day, features floral, spicy Liberty.

Save the date

The third annual Sandpoint Brewfest, featuring more than two dozen mostly local beers along with live music and food, runs Saturday from noon to 5 at City Beach; a $20 tasting package includes a souvenir glass and six (4-ounce) drink tokens.

Coeur d’Alene’s Moon Time pub celebrates its 20th anniversary Saturday starting at 2 p.m. with live music by Carey Brazil, Robby French, Hey! is for Horses and Folkinception, plus the Moon Time Lake Beer blonde specially brewed by Georgetown.

Washington State University’s second annual Know Barley Know Beer day July 15 starts at 1 p.m. with a tour of the Palouse Pint malting facility in Spokane Valley, followed by a trip to WSU field trials near Reardan and beers at Orlison’s brewery in Airway Heights. For more information, see www.sustainableseedsystems.org.

Newport’s Top Frog celebrates its third anniversary July 16 with the opening of a long-awaited taproom pouring 13 beers plus live music, games and food.

The new Spokane Brewers Festival in the Spokane Arena parking lot Aug. 12-14 will feature breweries from throughout the Inland Northwest along with food, live music and a root beer garden for kids and designated drivers.

Family values

Children are allowed in Idaho taprooms under a new state law that took effect July 1, putting breweries on equal footing with winery tasting rooms.

It’s up to each brewery whether to welcome minors, and under what conditions. Here’s how things are shaping up in North Idaho:

Mad Bomber and Slate Creek are admitting kids accompanied by an adult until 8 p.m., while Post Falls Brewing still is setting specific hours.

Trickster’s is only allowing minors in the company of adults who are getting growler fills or kegs.

Downdraft says it’s setting no formal policy, but will continue to check IDs and monitor underage drinking.

MickDuff’s is allowing children accompanied by a parent or legal guardian in its Beer Hall at all hours, except for certain special events.

The main MickDuff’s pub, Laughing Dog and Daft Badger all serve food and already are family-friendly.

Honor roll

Last time around, I neglected to mention one of the Eastern Washington medal winners in last month’s Washington Beer Awards: Kettle Falls’ Northern Ales, which took gold for its Okanogan Highlander Scotch ale. Congratulations to owner/brewer Steve Hedrick and his crew.

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