April 20: Wallace Craft Beer Pub Crawl
April is Craft Beer Month in Idaho, and the historic town of Wallace is celebrating with its Craft Beer Pub Crawl featuring dozens of regional brews in over a dozen National Register of Historic Places watering holes. Revelers can also take advantage of the town’s “Red Solo Cup Rule,” which allows you to move freely about town with your adult-brew of choice, as long as it’s contained in the right cup. And, if you tire of hoofing it around, you can hitch a ride on a Sierra Silver Mine Tour trolley to your next craft-beer destination. Bring your bike and ride a section of the Trail of the Coeur d’Alenes right in town before the event begins at 1 p.m. Info: Wallaceidahochamber.com
May 4: Three-Quarter Minus Cykeltur Gravel Ride & Cinco de Mayo Party at Matchwood Brewing
This inaugural gravel ride, with 65-mile two humper and less grueling 48-mile one humper route options, is the creation of Sandpoint’s Syringa Cyclery. Benefitting the mountain bike trail group Pend Oreille Pedalers, the ride begins and ends at Matchwood Brewing with a family-friendly Cinco de Mayo party with live music, craft beer, food, and outdoor seating. The gravel ride on back roads through the mountains north of Sandpoint include three aid stops and a sweep vehicle. While the Three-Quarter Minus Cykeltur is technically a ride, not a race, because it will be timed with prizes awarded to the top three men and women finishers, expect some competitive action. The race entry fee includes a post-ride meal and drink. Info: Syringacyclery.com
May 11: Radio Brewing Anniversary Block Party
Kellogg, Idaho’s Radio Brewing turns two this year, and the town’s first and only brewery named after the golden age of radio is planning a block party bash to celebrate. The street in front of the brewery will be shut down for the party that will include a mini beer festival with 8-10 breweries, vendors, and live music, running from 1-7 p.m. Radio Brewing has become the go-to refreshment stop for thirsty Silver Mountain skiers, snowboarders, and mountain bikers, as well as riders taking advantage of the 72-mile paved Trail of the Coeur d’Alenes that runs through town. Come for the party, but don’t forget your road bike for a spin before the festivities begin. Info: Radiobrewingcompany.com/events
June 28-29: Get Out Fest
A new outdoor recreation festival in northeast Washington, Get Out Fest organizers hope to draw attention to the incredible outdoor recreation opportunities surrounding the town of Republic. Based out of the Ferry County Fairgrounds, the festival will feature organized hikes and bike rides, a run, fishing derby, and other outdoor activities that highlight area trails and recreation destinations, as well as music, vendors, and other entertainment. Fortunately for beer lovers, Republic Brewing in downtown Republic is a short pedal away along the Tiger Pathway and will be welcoming festival goers all weekend long. Info: Getoutfest.com
July 13-14: Spokatopia Outdoor Adventure Festival
This 5th annual festival, put on by Out There Outdoors, includes live Americana, rock, and reggae music; a craft beer and cider garden; and opportunities to try all sorts of outdoor activities, from rock climbing and mountain biking to paddleboarding, yoga, and a 5K trail run. It’s also one of the biggest bike and water sports gear demo events in the Northwest, meaning you can try the latest mountain and pavement bikes, paddleboards, kayaks, and other boats at Spokane’s Camp Sekani Park and Boulder Beach. Limited camping will also be available this year, and the beer garden benefitting Evergreen East will feature nearly a dozen regional craft brews and ciders. Info: Spokatopia.com
September 19-22: Odessa Deutschesfest
Every year during the 3rd full weekend of September, the small Eastern Washington town of Odessa sees an influx of up to 15,000 aficionados of German heritage and beer. The festival features authentic German food, a city-block big biergarten, live music, a parade, kids’ zone, street vendors, and a 5K or 10K fun run. It’s also a great opportunity to explore the 12,000 plus acre Lake Creek Ranch/Pacific Lake BLM land hiking and mountain biking trails on the edge of town. Info: Deutschesfest.net
Ales for the Trail (Date TBA)
An annual Coeur d’Alene summer tradition, Ales for the Trail brings together dozens of craft beers, ciders, and live music, held in past years at McEuen Park, to benefit the North Idaho Centennial Trail Foundation, which is tasked with preserving and developing the North Idaho Centennial Trail system. Keep an eye out for details on the 2019 event at Alesforthetrail.org. //
