A Washington state-based cider and beer maker has joined the ranks of brew purveyors in downtown Spokane.
Locust Cider & Brewing Co. opened its downtown Spokane tasting room at 421 W. Main Ave. over Thanksgiving weekend. The new taproom joins a growing list of Locust locations in Seattle, Tacoma, Walla Walla and Woodinville, Washington. The company — founded in Woodinville in 2015 by brothers Jason and Patrick Spears — also has locations in Fort Worth, Texas, and Boulder, Colorado.
The family-friendly taproom offers 16 taps dedicated to Locust's cider and beer lineup, including cider flavors like dark cherry, vanilla and honey pear, along with special seasonal varieties, heirloom blends and more. Locust's beer selection focuses on traditional styles, with a few rotating handles featuring guest breweries.
For food, the taproom is serving a menu of flatbreads and pub snacks. While they sip, guests can play ping pong, retro video games and board games. (CHEY SCOTT)
SECRET BURGER SECRETS
Secret Burger, the pre-ticketed, off-menu dining series that launched in mid-2019, has a few upcoming exclusives on the calendar.
On Sat, Dec. 14, Boombox Pizza in downtown Spokane is offering a lobster Bloody Mary, consisting of a double shot of Tito's Handmade Vodka in a 20-ounce goblet and topped with pickled veggies, condiments, an "assortment of meats" and a "bulgy bun stuffed with fresh chunks of lobster." Tickets (six left as of this writing) are $37 each.
Just after the new year, local diners can sample a Southern delicacy when the Black Diamond in Spokane Valley serves alligator sandwiches on Wed, Jan. 8. The $25 ticket gets you an 80/20 alligator tail and bacon patty grind infused with Cajun spices and served with a side of crispy fried okra.
Tickets to these and other upcoming Secret Burger events are at secretburger.com. (CHEY SCOTT)
SLATE CREEK BREWING CLOSES
It wasn't the cold weather that dammed the flow at Coeur d'Alene's Slate Creek Brewery, but rather a divergence between owners Danica Gilbert and Andy Neels.
It started this summer, says Gilbert, when they got repeated offers to buy the brewery, even though it wasn't for sale. Even then, Gilbert was leaning into her focus as a community events organizer, producing activities like the full moon bike ride, and the recent Sober Sunday Winter Market featuring local vendors. So when the most recent offer came in from a Portland-based startup planning on producing hard tea under a different brand, Gilbert and Neels decided the time was right to sell.
Part of her recent to-do list was organizing a farewell party packed with well-wishers. "It just shows how much love was there," says Gilbert, who can be found at the next full moon ride, hosted by Heart City Tattoo on Thursday, Dec. 12. (CARRIE SCOZZARO) ♦
