The Inland Northwest Ale Trail released its new map and passport on August 1st, 2014 revealing that the ale trail now consists of 27 breweries. The program, which started in August 2013, originally consisted of 16 stops, but now enters its second year with the addition of 11 more breweries. During the month of August, the Inland Northwest Ale Trail group will host events at Spokane and Coeur d’Alene bars celebrating the launch of the new Ale Trail map. Find the dates and locations for those events in the press release below.
Perry Street Brewing. One of the new breweries added to the Inland NW Ale Trail
The object of the Inland Northwest Ale Trail is to draw attention to the region’s breweries and encourage visitors and locals to explore the Inland Northwest beer scene. While many of the breweries are in Spokane, the ale trail also includes stop in other communities, such as Sand Point, Post Falls, Newport, Kettle Falls, and more.
I should also note that the festival previously known as Spokane Oktoberfest is now the Inland Northwest Craft Beer Festival and moves to a new location this year, which is another thing to consider when westsiders make plans to travel inland for beer adventuring. For 2014, the dates for the Inland Northwest Craft Beer Festival are Friday, September 26 and Saturday, September 27.
Press Release:
Inland NW Ale Trail Kicks Off the 2014 Season
Now with 27 Local Breweries; Five Kick Off Events in August
Spokane, WA… The Inland Northwest Ale Trail launched its second season with an updated map on August 1st. This year’s map has 27 Inland Northwest breweries featured, up from just sixteen in it’s first year, and includes breweries in Northern Idaho, the greater Spokane area, and Southern Washington.
Ale Trail participants visit different breweries on the map and acquire stamps. After they receive twelve stamps (up from the ten stamps required on last year’s map due to the increase in breweries), they receive a 32 oz “grunt” (mini growler).
There is no time limit to complete the map, and the Ale Trail committee (a part of the Inland Northwest Brewers Guild) encourages participants to take their time, and to be safe.
The map also features 24 sponsors, including local hotels, restaurants, and transportation companies. The Ale Trail breweries encourage people to visit the local sponsors and thank them for supporting the local craft beer culture.
The INW Ale Trail group is hosting five events throughout the month of August at several of their sponsors to kick off the new map. Join them at these events to meet brewery reps and enjoy local brews.
Event Schedule:
8/7: Black Diamond, Spokane Valley, 5-8 PM
8/12: Post Street Ale House, Spokane, 5-8 PM
8/16: The Lantern Tap House, Spokane, All Day (brewery reps from 5-8 PM)
8/21: Pint’s Ale House, Spokane, 5-10 PM (brewery reps from 5-8PM
8/28: Capone’s Pub & Grill, Coeur d’Alene, 6-9 PM
For more information about these events visit the INW Ale Trail Facebook page at www.facebook.com/inwaletrail.
For more information about the INW Ale Trail visit www.inlandnwaletrail.com.
