A prize awaits anyone who hops on - and finishes - the newest regional trail in the Inland Northwest. It's the Inland Northwest Ale Trail, a consortium of at least 27 craft beer and ale breweries in the Spokane, Coeur d'Alene area which are part of the booming craft beer brewing industry.
By next year, there may be double that number, with breweries all across eastern Washington and northern Idaho. The idea is simple. The brewers publish a map of the member beer makers. When trail-goers hit 12 pubs - and get a stamp from each one to prove it - they get a 32-ounce mini growler as their prize.
Some of the breweries are well established. Some are brand new. They're all relatively small operations, determined to craft unique beers from three common ingredients - water, hops and barley. They produce brews, some with way-out there names, which you won't find in the cooler of the typical convenience store.
For example, Iron Goat in Spokane produces Head Butt IPA and Goatmeal Stout. Spokane's Steamplant Brewing company turns out a jalapeño ale. There's a Laughing Dog brewery in Ponderay, Idaho, the Mad Bomber in Hayden and Orlison's in Airway Heights. Its slogan is Brew No Evil.
Most breweries on the Ale Trail require a minimum purchase of a pint to earn a stamp.
And for beer lovers who shun drinking and driving, there's even a shuttle service to navigate the Ale trail.
