Best New Brewery
Bellwether Brewing
Located along the North Monroe business corridor, Bellwether is a small brewery that aims to bring a Northwest twist to ancient beer styles. From gruits to braggots, Bellwether uses unique ingredients and techniques to bring Old World ales to their cozy, modern taproom. And with recent endeavors like the Purple Egyptian Barley Project, the future of Bellwether's ancient brews is looking bright. 2019 N. Monroe St., Spokane • 328-0428
2nd PLACE: Badass Backyard Brewing
3rd PLACE: Young Buck Brewing
NORTH IDAHO'S BEST: Post Falls Brewing
Best Beer Event/Festival
Inland NW Craft Beer Festival
One of several regional beer festivals the Washington Beer Commission hosts each year, the Inland NW Craft Beer Festival has the unique distinction of being held at Spokane's Avista Stadium. While the field is typically home to the Spokane Indians baseball team, for two days in September it houses 40-plus Washington craft breweries, more than 150 different beers, food trucks and live music.
Best Local Brewery
1st Place: No-Li Brewhouse
2nd Place: Iron Goat Brewing
3rd Place: Perry Street Brewing
North Idaho's Best: Mad Bomber Brewing
and Slate Creek Brewing (tie)
Best Distilling
1st Place: Dry Fly Distilling
2nd Place: Tinbender Craft Distillery
3rd Place: 21 Window Distillery
North Idaho's Best: Bardenay
Best Local Cidery
1st Place: One Tree Hard Cider
2nd Place: Liberty Ciderworks
3rd Place Twilight Cider Works
North Idaho's Best: Summit Cider
Best Winery
1st Place: Barrister
2nd Place: Arbor Crest Wine Cellar
3rd Place: Coeur d'Alene Cellars
Best Happy Hour
1ST PLACE: Zola
2nd Place: The Safari Room
3rd Place: Twigs
North Idaho's Best: Seasons of CdA
Best Single-Location Coffee Shop
1st Place: Atticus
2nd: The Shop
3rd: Rockwood Bakery
North Idaho's Best: Calypsos Coffee & Creamer
Best Craft Cocktails
Durkin's Liquor Bar
Durkin's Liquor Bar happens to sit in a downtown Spokane building that once housed a bar owned by James "Jimmie" Durkin, a historic Spokane liquor tycoon for which the current establishment is named. Launched by the same restaurateurs responsible for Madeleine's and Casper Fry, Durkin's offers a food menu of sophisticated small and traditional plates. But if you come for the food, stay for the cocktails, which are not only uniquely handcrafted with top-notch spirits, but are also served with a slice of Spokane's pre-Prohibition history. 415 W. Main Ave., Spokane • 863-9501
2nd PLACE: Volstead Act; 3rd PLACE: Twigs; NORTH IDAHO'S BEST: Whispers Lounge, CdA
