Next stop? Whistle Punk Brewing in Spokane. What does Whistle Punk mean, you ask? It is an obsolete term for a beginner lumberjack from the early days of North American logging. (See here.)
They were established in 2015 and opened their taproom in 2017. They state that they, “craft traditional ales and lagers inspired by the Pacific Northwest.”
While there Hoppy enjoyed a Whistle Punk Fernhopper IPA – described as a West Coast IPA brewed with LINC Malts and hopped with El Dorado, Mosaic, and Chinook hops. Prominent bitterness, with a juicy finish. Notes of orange peel, pineapple, and pine. 7.2% ABV.
Photos follow:
ExteriorLogo SignBar2nd Bar AreaSeating AreaTaps Including Cask Conditioned TapsDraft BoardFernhopper IPAHoppy’s Here!
Hoppy next had a brief stop at Bottles, a beer and wine bottle shop that also has a bar with 22 taps. Because of limited time, he was unable to imbibe while there, but he purchased a bottle to go.
Pictures follow:
ExteriorBarBeer Cooler with Tap Handles AboveThere’s Hoppy!
Hoppy’s next brewery visit was at Ten Pin Brewing in Moses Lake. Their grand opening was in July 2013, they doubled their production capacity to six barrels in November of that year and expanded to a new production facility in March of 2016. Where else can you find a tap house that includes a brewery, restaurant, bowling center, arcade and a casino? On the same property is located the production brewery, Ten Pin Inn & Suites, a miniature golf course, and Ten Pin Territory Park, a relaxing green area for outdoor events.
Hoppy enjoyed the following brews during his visit:
Ten Pin Head Pin IPA – Described as a strong, pleasantly bitter American IPA showcasing the mango and earthy pine flavors of Mosaic hops blended with the citrus flavors of Centennial and Citra hops. 6.25% ABV, 55 IBU.
Bale Breaker Fresh Hop Frenz IPA Collaboration with Russian River Brewing – Described as a fresh hop West Coast IPA releasing captivating aromas of grapefruit, peach, mango and resin and featuring freshly picked Simcoe, Citra cryo and HBC 586 hops. Made with their Frenz for you to drink with yours. 6.9% ABV, 65 IBU.
Pictures follow:
ExteriorTaproom Bar and SeatingDraft BoardDraft List Page 1Draft List Page 2TapsTapsTen Pin Head Pin IPATaproom Brewery2nd BarSeatingBowling CenterCasino AreaArcadeBrewing Process Signage Above BarBrewing Process Signage Above BarBrewing Process Signage Above BarSomething to Enjoy!!!
The day following his visit to the Leavenworth Oktoberfest, Hoppy attended the Projekt Bayern Oktoberfest in Wenatchee. Projekt Bayern founded the original Leavenworth Oktoberfest in 1998 and operated it until 2019, making it one of the best and most authentic Oktoberfest celebrations in the entire country. Projekt Bayern’s traditional Oktoberfest celebration is now located in the beautiful city of Wenatchee at the Town Toyota Center.
While at this Oktoberfest Hoppy enjoyed imbibing Hofbrau Oktoberfestbier. It is brewed by Staatliches Hofbrauhaus Munchen, in Munich, Bayern Germany. It is described as a rich, full-bodied beer which goes down ideally with traditional Bavarian cuisine. With its deliciously bitter taste and clean, crisp edge, it is a vital part of the Oktoberfest experience. It is 6.3% ABV, 23 IBU.
Pictures from the Oktoberfest follow:
Taken From EntranceDaily Opening Procession Continuation of ProcessionEnd of ProcessionDraft ListEntertainment by Juggler on Stilts and Musikkapelle LeavenworthSignageWenatchee Welcome Sign
The next stop was, of course, the Leavenworth Oktoberfest. It is held over the first three weekends in October and began in 1998.
Between raising his glass and yelling prost, Hoppy drank the following beers:
Weihenstephaner Dunkel – A dark wheat beer from Freising, Bavaria, Germany. It is described as effervescent and full-bodied with a pleasantly light caramel note in the flavor imparting a velvety mouthfeel. It is chestnut in color. 5.3% ABV, 14 IBU. (Weihenstephaner is the world’s oldest continuing operating brewery and has been located at a monastery site since at least 1040.)
Icicle Brewing Alpenhaze Hazy IPA – Described as a bright, tropical and juicy IPA with Mosaic, Citra, El Dorado and Simcoe hops, giving it notes of mango, pineapple, tangerine and apricot that excite the nose and palate. The malt profile provides a body that ends each sip with a light and pillowy mouthfeel. 6.3% ABV, 30IBU.
Photos from the Fest follow:
Leavenworth FesthalleWelcome WagonSmilin’ Scandinavians Performing in The FesthalleDraft ListManuela Horn Performing in The FesthalleManuela HornManuela HornPhot Op With ManuelaFesthalle DecorAttendees in Bierzelt TentFrom 2015 Leavenworth OktoberfestFrom 2015 Leavenworth Oktoberfest
Icicle Brewing was established in 2010 and they moved into their current location in 2011. In 2019, a new brewery and packaging facility was constructed in Leavenworth and a new 5-barrel experimentation brewery was added to their original location to allow for continued innovation and to bring more beer varieties to their patrons. (Incidentally, the entire town center of Leavenworth is modeled on a German Bavarian village as part of a civic initiative that began in the 1960s. The town is a major, four-season tourist destination with festivals nearly every month and a multitude of events of which Icicle Brewing is a part.)
While there, as a prelude to Leavenworth’s famous Oktoberfest celebration, Hoppy quaffed the ale that won Best of Show at the recently conducted 2023 Yakima Fresh Hop Festival! This was the Fresh Hop Alpenhaze. It is described as a tasty n’ juicy fresh hop ale that began with their Alpenhaze base beer and was dry hopped with lots of fresh Citra hops from CLS Farms. It was brewed on their small batch pilot system and takes an already great beer and adds that little extra goodness that can only come from the fresh hop harvest. It is 6% ABV and the IBU is listed as too fresh!
Pictures follow:
ExteriorLineup at Entrance & View of MezzanineDraft BoardBest of ShowFresh Hop AlpenhazeHeading DownstairsDownstairsMezzanineLooking Down From MezzanineLooking Out at Beer Garden and Line for OktoberfestPatrons at CounterPortable TapLadies Prepping for Oktoberfest
