Got the Winter Brews?

I know, I know—usually, I send this out Thursday mornings: It’s my favorite day of the week. I’m sure some folks might contest such an opinion, but if Friday is Christmas, then Thursday’s Christmas Eve, and Saturday is the day after Christmas: no obligations, but you can still get out of the house. I apologize – that was a long and unnecessary explanation—let’s get to the good stuff. We have some time sensitive business to attend to.

Expand Your Beer Horizons

We’re spoiled as hell in this area to have an abundance of breweries we can run through. I’ll make no bones about it—Brick West and No-Li? They got it going on, and I frequently visit my friends John and Cole down at the Bier Hall ’cause I love supporting my people. But I also know there are other establishments blazing their own path and deserving some recognition.

I will say, though, I had No-Li’s Hot Chicken Sandwich, and it’s straight gas (for any boomers reading, “gas” means it was utterly delectable). Great work, guys. Anyway, here are six spots you can tap into, whether you’re up north or in CDA:

Snow Eater: Snow Eater Brewing in Liberty Lake is a must-hit for craft beer lovers. With 21 taps of their own brews, plus cider and wine options, it’s got something for everyone—even your sober buddy. The name nods to local chinook winds, and the vibe is just as cool. Kid-friendly, dog-friendly, and trivia-friendly (Tuesdays at 7:30 PM), it’s perfect for pints, good food, and better company. Swing by this weekend, sip something stellar, and soak up the energy. Trust me, it’s the chill hangout you didn’t know you needed. 🍻

Daft Badger: Listen, if you’re not hip to Daft Badger yet, let me fix that. Tucked in a quiet CDA neighborhood, this spot serves up Northwest-style craft beers that slap. Their Blood Orange IPA? Absolute fire. Their Josiah’s Revenge Stout? A rich, boozy hug in a glass. Pulled pork nachos, bacon jam grilled cheese—you’ll leave full and already plotting your return. The vibe is chill, the patio’s legit, and the staff treats you like family. Open Tuesday through Sunday. Hit Daft Badger. It’s local, it’s cool, and it’s calling your name.

Grain Shed: South Hill, let’s talk about a spot that’s wayyy more than a brewery. The Grain Shed is like that effortlessly cool kid who brings their own homegrown veggies to the potluck and somehow makes everyone else look bad. I’ve lauded ‘the Shed’s’ efforts in the past because their food and drink are farm-to-table masterpieces, brewed with ancient grains that make you feel like you’re sipping history. Grab a brew and a loaf and prepare to question every other carb you’ve ever eaten. BTW, they also have a taproom downtown on Cedar, right up the road from Brick West.

Emrys : Tucked away in Liberty Lake, Emrys Beer and Mead is doing things a little differently—and by differently, I mean better. These guys aren’t just pouring beers; they’re crafting small-batch brews and artisan meads that’ll make you rethink your drink choices. The vibe is low-key and inviting, making it the perfect spot to chill with friends or enjoy a solo sip. Mead might sound medieval, but trust me, it’s anything but—it’s like drinking the nectar of the gods: sweet, different, and unforgettable. Swing by Emrys, and don’t be shocked if you leave with a new favorite drink in hand. 🍺🍯

LumberBeard: If you haven’t hit Lumberbeard yet, let me pull you out from under that rock. Right in downtown Spokane, they’re pumping out small-batch brews with a little grit, a lot of heart, and all the flavor. Their name isn’t just a clever nod to the PNW; it’s a promise. Big, bold, and unapologetically Northwest. The vibe? Straight-up industrial chic, with communal tables, high ceilings, and an energy that says, “We’re here for good beer and better conversations.” Bonus—try their wings; they slap. And I’m a sucker for a good Cuban. Don’t fight it—just embrace the vibe. 🍺

Things Are on the Rise: 

The other day, I was walking past the Wonder Building, tempted by curiosity about Wonderground and the construction site to the south of the property. It’s been in the works for a while, but nothing says progress quite like a massive crane in the middle of our city. Look at this thing—ain’t she a beaut?

This condo building is going to change Spokane’s skyline, and I’ll be keeping track of the prices. The views will be absolutely insane, whether you’re on the 1st, 2nd, or 12th floor. You’ll have a full-on Mufasa moment as you utter the words to yourself, “Everything the light touches is our kingdom,” every time you look out, watching the falls run, the Pavilion change colors, and folks snapping selfies at Anthony’s.

Frankly, that piece of property needed something, and praise be that it’s a high-end building. But I would have been just as satisfied if they had put another My Fresh Basket like two blocks away. God, I love spending money on pricey health food. . . and I’m not being sarcastic.

Sammy Time:

It’s cold out there, folks. Which means finding a place with some hoagies or sammies that light up your taste buds is mission critical during this time of the year. 

Zozos: One of our subscribers replied to my welcome email saying I should try this place—WOW, HARD SELL THERE. Quickly found out, this little spot on Monroe knows how to sling a sandwich that delights the taste buds. Let me say something about their Monroe St. Dip: Well, it’s a juicy, cheesy masterpiece served with au jus for that dunking action we all crave. Or maybe you’re in a Zozo's Cheesesteak mood—loaded with whiz or provolone—I’ll take that. Bonus? They’ve got breakfast sandwiches all day, so you can crush a Porky Piggy and call it self-care. Zozo's isn’t just a stop—it’s a tradition.

Zelias: If you’re a valley dweller, you’ve probably passed this place on Sullivan regularly and never given it a thought. In all fairness, it looks a bit drab and doesn’t scream, “come snag a fire Philly.” As I’ve stated in the past, that’s kind of my shtick though. If you’re about ambiance, well, there are better options, but I’m here for 600 calories of hoagie greatness. That’s why I’m here to tell you, the next time you’re on Sullivan, keep your eye out for Zelias—the nicest lady will put together a log of serotonin for you and make your day. 

Smacky’s: I’ve been coming here for a long time—you know you have when Mike starts giving you a “how’s it going, bud.” I’ve earned my stripes, though. These guys do just about everything right, and it’s a no-frills, just-good-vibes establishment. Friends and colleagues have long lauded their cheesesteak as well as their wraps. They have a pretty extensive menu, so feel free to peruse, but I guarantee once you try their Spicy Reuben, you’ll be hooked. Pro tip: ask if they can throw it on a jalapeño roll—cuz I’m one spicy son of a bitch!

Sandos: If you’re still out there settling for basic sandwiches, let me fix that for you. Sandos isn’t just slapping meat and bread together. Even though Domini’s did that for years and it was f*cking awesome, this place is a full-blown flavor operation. They’ve got options for breaky as you head to the office—I’ll roundhouse their Hot Breakfast Scramwich. But their Ham & Brie and Italian for lunch are so delicious they’ll make you believe in love again right before Valentine’s Day. The energy is great—chill but a class act. Perfect for a quick bite, a friend date, or just spoiling yourself because life’s short, and bad sandwiches are the WOAT. You’re welcome.

Uno Mas Revival: 

For a number of years, I’d consistently visit my neighbors in the Valley for some HEAPING ¼-pound tacos. When Chad White pulled out, things took a bit of a downturn, and boy, I was one pissed-off sailor. I had been lauding these massive masterpieces. They were heavy—talking excellent density and amazing flavors that would make your hands smell like perfectly smoked barbacoa. And yes, I hear myself. If you’re in disgust reading that, I get it, but if you caught a whiff of what these bad boys taste like, I feel like smelly hands suddenly have some sort of value proposition.

These tacos are freaking back, babyyyy—and I implore you to pay them a visit at their shiny new cantina located right behind Indaba’s shiny new café location. Visit both. Make a day (and a night) out of it. This place kindly balances great flavors with an unreal ambiance–I hope they contract a mariachi band soon. 

Give ‘Em The Boot – Or Give ‘Em Several 

As much as there’s been seemingly nothing over the last 18 months but fear-mongering news, I love it when you come across a story that makes you lean back and think to yourself, “hell yeah.” Well, I’d like to personally thank JK Boots for eliciting that reaction from me. While fires ripped through Los Angeles in January, Spokane boot maker JK Boots stepped in when it mattered most. After putting out a post that virtually went viral, they had firefighters and volunteers actively sliding into their DMs like a cohort of frat brothers fighting for the hottest Tri-Delt. . . except. . . this scenario was. . . totally appropriate. . . and philanthropic. Check out the full story here.

So. . . in a world where boots can sometimes seem ordinary, JK made an extraordinary move. And, BTW, these boots are far from ordinary. If you’ve never dabbled in what they do, we’re talking hand-crafted, rugged, battle-ready stompers. If you’re trying to channel your inner Rip from Yellowstone, they also have several lines of western styles to help you pull it off. Building a house? Riding a horse? I implore you to poke your nose into JK’s business. . . you won’t be sorry.

That’s Amore: 

I love dabbling with new culinary experiments in the kitchen. It’s fun, feels good, tastes good, and dudes, the ladies loooove a man that can cook. So take a moment to up your game. I know the Traeger has become embedded into your weekly (or daily) habit, but we gotta expand our portfolio. I love a perfectly smoked brisket, but significant others can only take so much. Conversely, anybody can love cooking—hell—maybe you do it together!

Luckily for you, the Commellini Estate is about to cure your ineptness with a frying pan. . . Here’s what’s going down: tonight and tomorrow, they’re hosting cooking classes for filled pasta making. Chef Frank is going to show you the goods—rolling, filling, cutting—and will be your culinary sherpa up the mountain of carbohydrate enlightenment. Look though, these events sell out quickly—a big reason I’m a day early this week is to make sure you have an opportunity to go today or tomorrow. Fret not. . . they’ll be hosting a lasagna course next week you can also tap into, and I strongly urge you to do so. Hell, you might even see me there acting like:

For the Lovebirds: 

I’m a ‘get to the airport 2 hours early’ kind of guy, and even if you’re not, I recommend getting ahead on Valentine’s Day—or many a gent will leave you in the gosh darn DUST! The Coeur d’Alene is putting together several packages, exclusive specials, and oh-so-enchanting festivities designed to dump some kerosene on your relationship, promising your love-focused holiday will fire up. If you’ve been sleeping on the couch the last few weeks, I beseech you to take a peek at the link here.

Now, if you’re just a group of gals trying to celebrate your independence and strength, by all means, you go, girls. . . They have spa getaway packages that are calling your name. Some of the packages include lakeside accommodations, 50-minute facials, massages, or pedicures. PLUS, room service Mimosa Brunch for two. You can check out more details here.

I’m gonna give y’all a couple last minute suggestions for Valentine’s Day next week, so keep your eyes peeled. . . talk soon.