Odell Brewing is coming to Enoteca Drinkery & Refuge in a BIG way!  This is going to be super fun and special event.  Odell is not yet distributed in Washington, so if you’re from Spokane you really need to be here to try these delicious beers that you can’t get unless you come to Idaho.

• When: Thursday, May 16th starting at 4pm
• Where: Enoteca Drinkery & Refuge, Post Falls, Idaho
• What: Odell Tap Takeover – read more details below
• How: Open to all, over 21 required.  Sign up here to get a text message reminder for this event.
• Why: American Craft Beer Week, and includes a universal toast!

Odell Tap Takeover – May 16th, 4pm-close

We’re doing some super fun stuff for this beer event.  This is different from our classroom style beer tastings, we’re trying a new format.  For this event we will be putting several Odell beers on tap, which can be tried by pints, sample paddles, and taken home in specially priced growler fills.

• The first 50 people to order a pint will get a free Odell glass to take home.
• We’ll be tapping special Brewery Only beer, specially brought to Idaho for this event!
• Derek Struble from Odell will be on hand to educate about Odell, and give away promotional items.
• The Odell beer event will start at 4pm and continue all night.  Drop in any time to get involved!
• Sign up here to get a text message reminder for this event.

America Craft Beer Week Thursday Night Toast

Craft Beer Toast: This is during American Craft Beer Week.  This year, the ACBW is featuring a universal toast to craft beer, which is at 5pm Pacific Time.  To participate in a nation wide simultaneous toast to craft beer, be at Enoteca Drinkery & Refuge with a pint in hand at the moment of 5pm.  Read more about the toast by downloading this PDF.

Dear Enotecans,

Does good beer come in cans?  YES!  And we are stocking everything.  Amber put together this canned beer tower yesterday, and we have even more canned beer coming next week.

You’ll probably be floating one of the fantastic rivers, launching your boat or fishing in our area soon.  Of course you can’t take glass on the water, so what do you do if you prefer a fine, delicious craft beer?

Canned Craft Beer!

In the past few years, spearheaded by Oskar Blues, craft beer breweries have been canning some incredible beers!  There are several benefits to cans.

• Cans preserve the flavor of beer better than glass bottles.  No light penetrates the cans and the seal is tighter than a bottle cap. Thus, your beer tastes fresher longer.  It’s like a mini-keg.
• Cans are environmentally friendly.  They are easier to recycle and require less packaging.
• Cans are cheaper for the brewery and distributor to ship, saving fuel, tires, and cost.
• Cans don’t break.
• Cans are more convenient and more legal to bring along on outdoor activities like camping, disc golf, hiking, river floating, boating,  or a day at the beach.
• Cans get to fridge temperatures quickly, and take up less space.

American Craft Beer Week Canned Beer Promo

As you know, it’s American Craft Beer Week and as North Idaho’s ultimate craft beer destination we’re celebrating in a big way! Thursday is the Odell Tap Takeover and ACBW Toast, we’ve opened the Beer Cellar to unveil the Bottled Beer List, we’ve had and are having smokin’ tasting events including brewery events and specialty samples, free growler with Beer Club signup, free glassware with $20 beer purchase, and special Growler Fills and Pint prices On Tap.

Now we’re doing a promotion on CANNED Craft Beer. These multi-packs (four packs and six packs) are all in stock and ready to purchase, and we’re offering a $1 off each multi-pack this week, last day Saturday the 18th. This means you can get your Club Member discount +$1 more off the package.

What Craft Beers Come In Cans?

Enoteca has in stock several Canned Craft Beers.  Here’s a partial list, you can click through to buy online or come on in and pick them up!  When we run out of something we’re re-ordering it, so if it’s not here at the moment, it should be very soon.

Featuring these brands in Cans!

• Oskar Blues
• Anderson Valley
• HUB – Hopworks Urban Brewery
• Maui
• Fort George – New and *excellent*
• Uinta
• Avery
• Woodchuck
• Wards
• Payette
• Crooked Fence
• Fremont
• 21st Amendment
• Big Sky
• Sierra Nevada
• New Belgium
• Caldera
• Young’s Double Chocolate Stout
• Belhaven
• Bale Breaker (coming soon)
• Good Life (coming soon)

At Enoteca Drinkery & Refuge in Post Falls, we have several ways to learn about and enjoy Craft Beer.

Pints and Sample Paddles to drink here

We feature rotating craft beer handles on tap.  To find out about new kegs being tapped sign up for our Keg Tap Text service.  You can always see What’s On Tap? at our website here.  You should see the ACBW special priced growler fills right now.  One of them is only $6.99.

Growlers and Bottles to Go

Any of our beers on tap can be taken to go in a 64 oz. 1/2 gallon growler.  As a special promotion for American Craft Beer Week, when you sign up for Beer Club, you get a free growler.  Read more about it here.

800+ Retail Craft Beers to drink here

Our retail Craft Beer is available to drink here any time with nominal corkage.  This includes beer from the Hop Fridge which includes just IPAs, and other cold and room temp shelf beers.

Beer of the Month Clubs

We offer two Beer of the Month Club subscriptions.  These are a great way to explore Craft Beer, and learn about new and interesting beers.  Members get a 10% discount on retail and growler fill purchases! Read more about it here.

Educational Beer Tasting Events

We’re constantly offering various types of Beer Tasting events, which we announce via our email newsletter, on Facebook and keep a calendar on our website.  This week we have several events including the Odell Tap Takeover on Thursday.

Introducing the Bottled Beer List

Now introducing another great way to enjoy fine craft beer, our Enoteca Drinkery & Refuge Bottled Beer List.  Our bottled beer list offerings are exclusive, not available at retail beers.  If you’ve seen a wine by the bottle list at a restaurant or bar, this is the same type of thing, with a couple of differences.  First, it’s beer instead of wine, and secondly, these are exceptional opportunities to drink here or take home.  Buyer beware, some breweries recommend drink-by dates, we vintage cellar many things in a cool, dark and stable environment. The risk is all yours, and so is the reward.

This list features limited quantity bottles, so when something is gone, it’s gone for good.  We have a robust cellaring program that will allow us to introduce new items to the Bottled Beer List as other items expire.

Examples of things you can find on the bottled beer list:

• Sierra Nevada Bigfoot Barleywine 2007-2013 (except 2008), 30th Anniversary Fritz & Kens
• Deschutes Abyss, Black Butte 24, Jubel 2010, Mirror Mirror 2009
• Dogfish Head 120 Minute IPA, World Wide Stout 2010, Pearl Jam
• Stone Lucky Bastard 2012, Vertical Epic 2009, Double Bastard 2007
• Midnight Sun Berserker, Nectar Black Xantus, Lost Abbey Angels Share, Goose Island Bourbon County 2009
• Vintage Barleywines back to 2002
• Keeping it real: PBR 40 oz served in a champagne ice bucket.

American Craft Beer Week Festivities

This week, May 13th-19th is American Craft Beer Week, put on by the Brewers Association.  As north Idaho’s ultimate craft beer destination, Enoteca is putting on the ritz and gearing up for some serious Craft Beer fun!  With 800+ different craft beers in stock in package, and 11 tap handles dedicated to pints and growler fills of craft beer, we’re prepared to offer something unique and delicious.

Stay tuned, we’ll be publishing more exciting events by email and on our Facebook page!

Craft Beer Week Calendar

We’re always adding to our event calendar, you can keep up to date on the left side of our website here.  The full calendar is available here.  Another convenient way to be made aware of additional events is to “Like” our Facebook page here.  You can sign up for text message reminders of each event, that way you won’t forget about the beer!

• Monday, May 13th: Free Wallace Brewing Beer Sampling with Eric – drop in from 4-6pm
  Come try their improved beers, and judge for yourself.
• Monday, May 13th: Member Monday – Buy one get one free pints for Members!
• Tuesday, May 14th: Rare Beer Sharing: Chimay Grande Reserve 2003 Magnum free sampling.  12oz current vintage available to purchase for side-by-side comparison.  4pm-beer is gone
• Tuesday, May 14: $2 Tuesday – Leavenworth pints only $2.
• Wednesday, May 15th: Rare Beer Sharing: Sours.  A handful of rare / special sours will be opened for free sampling.  7pm-beer is gone.
• Thursday, May 16th: Odell Tap Takeover event.  First 50 pints ordered get free glass.
• Friday, May 17th: Rare Beer Sharing: Imperial Stouts.  A handful of rare and special Stouts will be opened for free sampling.  9pm-beer is gone.
• Saturday, May 18th: Free Stone Vertical Epic 2006-2012 sampling.  Opening bottles at 1pm, pouring free tastes until they’re gone.

Special One-Time Offer for Mixology Monday at 1/2 price tonight

Come try Mixology Monday on May 13th for 1/2 price.  This is a one time opportunity, read more about it here and get your tickets to attend.

Are you ready for American Craft Beer Week?  We’ve already started celebrating!  Check this out for all sorts of promotions.

Tonight is a Great Divide Beer Tasting including a special keg of Chocolate Yeti being tapped, with discounted growler fills for the tasting.  Read more here and get tickets to either the 5pm or 7pm tasting, and don’t forget your growler!

Tickets for May 9th, 5pm Beer Tasting – $13 per person.

Tickets for May 9th, 7pm Beer Tasting – $13 per person.

Click through to buy your tickets. Purchase must be made online, and tickets are yours only when we receive payment information. No refunds or exchanges.

Craft Beer Week Calendar

We’re always adding to our event calendar, you can keep up to date on the left side of our website here.  The full calendar is available here.  Another convenient way to be made aware of additional events is to “Like” our Facebook page here.  You can sign up for text message reminders of each event, that way you won’t forget about the beer!

• Thursday, May 9th: Great Divide Beer Tasting (5pm & 7pm) Get Tickets
• Friday, May 10th: Free Mad River Brewery sampling – drop in from 4-6pm
• Saturday, May 11th: Stay tuned…
  
• Monday, May 13th: Free Wallace Brewing Beer Sampling with Eric – drop in from 4-6pm
  Come try their improved beers, and judge for yourself.
• Monday, May 13th: Member Monday – Buy one get one pints for Members!
• Tuesday, May 14th: Stay tuned…
• Wednesday, May 15th: Stay tuned…
• Thursday, May 16th: Odell Tap Takeover event.
• Friday, May 17th: Stay tuned…
• Saturday, May 18th: Free Stone Vertical Epic 2006-2012 sampling.  Opening bottles at 1pm, pouring free tastes until they’re gone.

Growler Fill Specials have already started!

We’re offering some pretty cool growler fill specials for American Craft Beer Week.  To find out about new kegs being tapped sign up for our Keg Tap Text service.  You can always see What’s On Tap? at our website here.  We will be launching more growler fill specials all week this week and next, so stay tuned to our Facebook page for announcements.

Here is what is already on board:

• Leavenworth Bakke Hill Black Lager Schwartzbier – Growler fill only $6.99 (regularly $11)
• Trickster XP Pale – Growler fill only $9.99 (regularly $14.99)
• Great Divide Chocolate Yeti – Growler fill only $19.99 (regularly $24.99)
• Liefman’s Goudenband Sour – Growler fill only $34.99 (regularly $44.99)

Did you know that Beer Club members get another 10% off the growler fills?  Check out the ACBW info page for another cool promotion for signing up for Beer Club…  Get free growler glass, then fill it up with one of these beers with 10% more discount?  Yes please.

Special One-Time Offer for Mixology Monday at 1/2 price

Come try Mixology Monday on May 13th for 1/2 price.  This is a one time opportunity, read more about it here and get your tickets to attend.

Dear Enotecans,

Next week, May 13th-19th is American Craft Beer Week, put on by the Brewers Association.  As north Idaho’s ultimate craft beer destination, Enoteca is putting on the ritz and gearing up for some serious Craft Beer fun!  With 800+ different craft beers in stock in package, and 11 tap handles dedicated to pints and growler fills of craft beer, we’re prepared to offer something unique and delicious.  We’re starting early, beginning this Thursday with the Great Divide Beer Tasting.  Tickets are still available for 5pm and 7pm, read about it here and sign up!

Stay tuned, we’ll be publishing more exciting events by email and on our Facebook page!

Craft Beer Week Calendar

We’re always adding to our event calendar, you can keep up to date on the left side of our website here.  The full calendar is available here.  Another convenient way to be made aware of additional events is to “Like” our Facebook page here.  You can sign up for text message reminders of each event, that way you won’t forget about the beer!

• Thursday, May 9th: Great Divide Beer Tasting (5pm & 7pm) Get Tickets
• Friday, May 10th: Free Mad River Brewery sampling – drop in from 4-6pm
• Saturday, May 11th: Stay tuned…
  
• Monday, May 13th: Free Wallace Brewing Beer Sampling with Eric – drop in from 4-6pm
  Come try their improved beers, and judge for yourself.
• Monday, May 13th: Member Monday – Buy one get one pints for Members!
• Tuesday, May 14th: Stay tuned…
• Wednesday, May 15th: Stay tuned…
• Thursday, May 16th: Odell Tap Takeover event.
• Friday, May 17th: Stay tuned…
• Saturday, May 18th: Free Stone Vertical Epic 2006-2012 sampling.  Opening bottles at 1pm, pouring free tastes until they’re gone.

Beer of the Month Club Special Offer

Exploring Craft Beer can be fun in the Club!  The Beer Club is a monthly subscription where we introduce you to different beers each month.  There are two options: Fine Beer Club: $20 per month, wide variety of beer focusing on seasonals, specialties, and variety.  Rare Beer Society: $35 per month, hard-to-get, vintage cellared beers, sours, advanced or challenging beers.  Learn more about the Beer Club here.

Free Glass Growler when you sign up for Beer Club!

Check out these premium amber glass growlers.  During Craft Beer Week, starting today and ending May 18th, when you sign up for Beer Club, or add Beer Club to your existing Wine Club subscription, we will give you a FREE Enoteca growler.  We use only the highest quality Amber glass to protect your beer from light, and only the highest quality poly seal caps to ensure your beer stays fresh until you open it.  Regularly $8.99, free when you join or add any Beer Club this week.

Growler Fill Specials

You’re going to need that growler, and here’s why.  We’re offering some pretty cool growler fill specials for American Craft Beer Week.  To find out about new kegs being tapped sign up for our Keg Tap Text service.  You can always see What’s On Tap? at our website here.

We will be launching more growler fill specials all week this week and next, so stay tuned to our Facebook page for announcements.

First Special, starting today:

Leavenworth Bakke Hill Black Lager Schwartzbier – Growler fill only $6.99 (regularly $11)

Very refreshing and soul lifting, Bakke Hill Black Lager is ideal choice for a lighter beer, but one with depth of color and taste. Bakke Hill Black Lager has an opaque, black color and a full, chocolaty or coffee flavor with a hint of vanilla. Although it shares some similar flavors, this German style is milder tasting and less bitter than British stouts or porters. It is a light to medium-bodied, malt-accented dark brew, very opaque and deep-sepia in color, with a chewy texture and a firm, creamy, long-lasting head. In spite of its dark color, it comes across as a soft and elegant brew that is rich, mild, and surprisingly balanced.  5% , 25 IBUs

Beer Glassware Specials

Do you like to drink your favorite beer out of it’s proper glass?  We do too, it’s critical in Europe and a good idea in America.  We stock a huge selection of brewery glassware, and starting this week through May 18th for ACBW, we’re offering a special promotion to help you get the glassware you want.

For every $20 of beer you buy, you get $5 off glassware of your choice!

Come see the selection and find something that suits you!

Drinkery’s Bottled Beer List

At Enoteca Drinkery & Refuge, we have great beer on tap, but we also have an INCREDIBLE bottled beer list.  This includes rare beers, vintage beers, and other specialties not available at retail.  The bottled beer list is designed for on-premise consumption, so it is priced accordingly, but you are free to purchase bottles and take them with you.  We will be unveiling our Bottled Beer List for American Craft Beer Week.  Stay tuned…

Opening the Cellar

Enoteca has an extensive beer cellar.  We’ve been aging vintage beers since we started, and we will be opening up the cellar to limited purchasing opportunities during American Craft Beer Week.  We are a first-come, first-served type of place, so there will be no bottle limits, just special one-of-a-kind opportunities to acquire rare and vintage aged beers.  Stay tuned…

Rare Beer Sharing and Sampling Opportunities

The staff at Enoteca are nuts about Craft Beer.  We seem to attract some customers who are nuts about Craft Beer.  During ACBW we will be hosting informal Rare Beer Sharing Parties.  We’ll announce the times and themes on Facebook an on our website event calendar.  What will these entail?  We’re going to start by digging into our own Rare Beer collections and bringing bottles to open and share.  You’re welcome to come and just taste, but if you like to share you’re also welcome to bring something that is not available in our market or is an older vintage that is no longer available.  If you have something you plan to bring and you would like us to announce it, feel free to drop us a line by email and let us know when you’ll be here! Craft Beer is about community, sharing, friendship, and this will be a fun way to participate.  Stay tuned…

This email is about the May 2013 Wine & Beer of the Month Club selections, with tasting notes and technical details about what is going in your Bin.

Upcoming Event Reminders

Note: If you tried to buy tickets Wednesday evening, it’s likely they did not go through.  There was a technical glitch, please put in your ticket order again.  If we get a duplicate we will manually remove the duplicate.  Sorry for the inconvenience.

You can always see what’s coming up at Enoteca by seeing the calendar on our left sidebar on our newly revamped Events page.

• May 3rd: Wine Club Free Flight Friday – Pick 3 to taste from wine club for free
• May 6th: Member Monday: Special offer for Club Members
• May 7th: Stag’s Leap Wine Tasting with Kirk Grace – only $7 (get tickets)
• May 9th: Great Divide Beer Tasting at 5pm and 7pm (get tickets)
• May 13th: Onliest Mixology Monday
• May 16th: Odell Tap Takeover Beer Event

What is Member Monday?

Member Monday is a brand new benefit we are now launching.  Every Monday, Members who get wine and/or beer of the month subscription can come to the Enoteca Drinkery & Refuge for Buy 1/Get 1 Free drinks!

Choose from our rotating Wine by the Glass List, if you like beer we feature rotating 11 Tap Handles of Craft Beer, and we also sport quality Scotch and Bourbon, and make excellent historic mixed drinks and original cocktails.

Buy 1/Get 1 Fine Print:

a.k.a. instructions to enjoying the promotion

• Drinks include wine by the glass, beer by the pint, and spirits
• Does not include samples, flights, growlers, bottles, or events
• Free drink must be the lesser or equal price of the paid drink
• Cannot be combined with other specials or sale items
• Membership subscription must be current
• When you order your first drink, tell the bar tender your Bin number to start the tab
• Member benefits cannot be shared with non-Members, no split tabs
• Only applies to Club Members, if you’re not a member, just sign up!
• You can sign up and enjoy the benefits immediately

Why Should I Join the Club?

Not in the Wine or Beer of the Month Club yet? You’ve heard about this Wine & Beer Club but aren’t quite sure what it is? Click here to find out what you’re missing! The wine club is a great way to learn about wine and beer, experience a variety of unique wine & beer, broadening your horizons. If you’re a novice to wine, the Wine of the Month Club will expose you to all sorts of tasty bottles and you’ll be an expert in no time! If you’re more of a wine connoisseur, try the higher end club selections to automatically own highly recommended bottles. Come by this weekend and try a few free tastes to get an idea what the different levels are about!

Wine Club Tasting – Free Flight Friday…

Come taste Wine of the Month Club selections 4pm-last customer Friday. We will have all of the wines below open for tastes, pick 3 to try. At the end of the bar we have a table set up with the wines and you can come to the server there for each of your 3 free tastes and she will pour a sample for you. We start at 4pm, and go until the bottles are all empty!

Policy Change: Club Member Valet Bin Service!

We will now be getting stuff from your Bin for you. Simply come to the front counter and let us know your name or Bin number, and we will go get your selections for you. We still have the Sign Out sheet at the counter, so sign out while you’re waiting.

And without further adieu here’s the lineup for Club and Tasting:

Budget Wine Club

Budget wine club costs only $20 per month and includes two bottles. They can be red, white, pink, or any combination. These are some excellent wines at great prices. Learn more at Budget Wine Club: New Wine Club option. Did you know you can add it to your existing Club Membership?

Four Vines Unoaked Naked Chardonnay
(Santa Barbera, California)

Barrels are for going over waterfalls. Stainless steel calls out to us. We’ve changed our label for our 2011 vintage to show our affection for it. The Original Naked Chardonnay sits before you unhindered by the buttery bonds of oak. No barrel fermentation. No other varietal blended into the wine. Chardonnay for all its splendor truly Naked.

We love Chardonnay for its pure lemon and grapefruit aromas that remind us of summer.

In 2011, a very chilly year throughout California, acid levels were naturally quite high. For the very first time we allowed a small percentage (4%) to undergo malolactic fermentation. This together with some extended sur lies aging imparted a delightful baked custard bouquet and added a creamy richness on the palate. Our Unoaked Chardonnay tastes bright and tangy with lemon and nectarine fruit flavors that expand on the finish. Crisp, clean and beautifully styled to pair with food. Eat oysters and drink Naked often!!

100% Chardonnay

Four Vines Truant Zinfandel
(California)

Truant, blended from multiple appellations throughout California. The name Truant describes someone who slips away from the confines of everyday routine, and also refers to our winemaking style which is not limited by geographical confines. Not only is it blended from vineyards around the state, but it is 77% Zinfandel, 13% Syrah, 5% Petite Sirah, 3% Barbera and 2% Sangiovese. On the nose there are dark berry notes and spicy notes from oak aging. The wine drinks of juicy blackberry, ripe plums and a touch of blueberry. Generous in fruit flavors, plenty of structure and a velvety finish. Enjoy with a friend!

77% Zinfandel, 13% Syrah, 5% Petite Sirah, 3% Barbera and 2% Sangiovese

Vintage Club

Mohua Sauvignon Blanc
(Marlborough, New Zealand)

Individual vineyard lots were harvested at optimum maturity, gently pressed and cool fermented in stainless steel to capture all the nuances of each site and sub region. The resulting wines were then racked, blended and bottled to retain the intense fruit characters and wonderful freshness that only Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc possesses.

An elegant wine with aromas of guava and lime combined with an expressive palate of nectarine and grapefruit. A vibrant wine with a long refreshing finish.

100% Sauvignon Blanc

Sobon Estates Cougar Hill Zinfandel
(Amador County, California)

This is a very stylish and likable wine. It has forward aromas of fresh baked oatmeal cookies, with undertones of licorice and mint chocolate. The flavors are rich, full, and reminiscent of ripe, dusty blackberries and cranberry juice. The finish is crisp and lingering.  Serve with grilled foods or pasta dishes.  Aged 18 months in French & American Oak, 30% new.

95% Estate Zinfandel, 5% Petite Syrah

Reserve Club

Waters Syrah/Viognier Rose
(Columbia Valley, Washington)

A very pale salmon, vibrant aromatics, lighter bodied Rose’ yet uniquely rich in the middle. Whole cluster pressed with no additional skin time, this wine is a little lighter on the acid as well, making it the easiest drinking Rose we’ve made yet. Early response has been phenominal, so this wine wont last long.

63% Syrah and 37% Viognier

Periple Something Red
(Washington)

Say: PEH REE PLAH – French for journey.

This fruit forward, mouth coating blend of 50% Cabernet Franc, 25% Syrah, and 25% Cabernet Sauvignon is sure to provide a great night of casual conversation whether with backyard BBQ fare or at family pasta night.

We love this wine!  It’s our new “cryptic” if you know what I mean.  This stuff is delicious!  Wine maker Angie Shaltry lives and makes wine in Eagle, Idaho, and she sources fruit from all over the place.  This bottle is all from Washington State fruit, with more than one appellation included.  Angie apprenticed to Helen Turley the superstar wine maker from California.  We’re proud to have Angie here in Idaho and proud to share this amazing bottle of wine with you.  The label is fantastic too, unfortunately I don’t have a picture to share, so come in and see it for yourself!  Instead I included a picture of the wine maker.

Look at the other club levels, we also included other bottles from Angie in the wine club this month.

50% Cabernet Franc, 25% Syrah, and 25% Cabernet Sauvignon

Premier Club

Periple French Creek Chardonnay
(French Creek Vineyard, Columbia Valley, Washington)

Tasting Notes:   Orange blossom, honeydew melon , grapefruit and wet slate define the initial aromas.   The juxtaposition of crisp minerals followed by apricots and vanilla  through the mid palate and finish, create an explosion of flavor on the palate.

Winemaking:    All grapes were hand harvested and whole cluster pressed into 1 year used French Oak barrels.  The primary fermentation occurred in barrel with twice a day stirring for 17 days.  Secondary fermentation lasted 6 weeks with weekly stirring.  The Chardonnay was aged for 13 months in barrel, then racked and bottled.

Vineyard:  The French Creek Vineyard is located northeast of Prosser sitting at 940 ft in elevation.  Southwardly sloping, the 9 acre vineyard rests above a canyon, and is adjacent to an apple orchard and year round creek which creates a unique microclimate of a cooler vineyard site   within a typically warmer region.  The 20 year old vines are a Wente clone and planted in the fine sand and silty loam soils with underlying fractured basalt of this unique site.

100% Chardonnay

Periple Tabard Red Blend
(Washington)

The name Tabard (tăb’urd) comes from the infamous Tabard Inn mentioned in Geoffery Chaucer’s “Canterbury Tales.” Chaucer and his new friends used the Inn as a starting point for their long and interesting journey.  California seems to be all about single vineyard wines, I am finding that our Washington wines are far more interesting when blended, even when outside the vintage lines!  Many of you barrel tasted the 2009 Cabernet/Merlot from Red Mountain in Washington, well, after blending with a bit of the 2010 Red Mountain Merlot and Horse Heaven Hills Syrah, a new wine was born.  Blueberry, currants, cocoa and white pepper followed by a big chewy mid palate and long tannin-rich finish will leave you wanting a Kobe steak to pair with this wine.  The blend is 40% Merlot, 40% Syrah and 20% Cabernet Sauvignon.  Spend some time letting this wine open up during a Spring barbecue with friends.

This wine is incredible, and very limited.  Just a few cases remain in the world.  Open this up soon so you can stock up if you love it as much as I do!

40% Merlot, 40% Syrah and 20% Cabernet Sauvignon

Anniversary Club Red

Cherry Pie Lazio Pinot Noir
(Stanley Ranch, Napa, California)

Cherry Pie is another innovative offering from visionary winemaker Jayson Woodbridge, creator of Hundred Acre and Layer Cake Wines.  One would think with the myriad winemaking projects that literally take him and his winemaking team around the globe several times each year, that Jayson would be content with his current stable of wines…but he has yearned to make Pinot Noir for years and circumstances finally aligned for him to do just that.

Jayson sought out the owners of Stanly Ranch, on the Napa side of the Carneros appellation, as their grapes were becoming well known as some of the most sought after Pinot Noir grapes in California.  They told him they would give him a small allocation to make wine, but future allocations would depend on the quality of the wine he made.  They had no idea that was just that kind of challenge that puts Jayson at his best.

After tasting the 2007 Cherry Pie Pinot Noir from the barrel, and deeming it one of the best ever made from their grapes, the owners of the ranch granted him free rein to choose from the very best blocks of the property for his wine.  Needless to say, the allocation of fruit is now whatever he asks for…but the wine still had no name.

Then in early 2008 while perusing New York’s Soho District, Jayson happened into the Campton Gallery during its exhibition of paintings by artist, TR Colletta. Colletta’s richly detailed paintings of everyday, distinctly American objects are at once familiar and remarkable, assuming an evocative, sculptural character.  His subjects tap into our collective consciousness and become complex metaphors.  Jayson was particularly drawn to a compelling oil on canvas of a juicy, mouthwatering, hot-out-of-the-oven cherry pie.  He instantly knew this was to be the label and the name for his Pinot Noir still in the barrel – Cherry Pie.

Like TR Colletta’s art, Jayson’s art is evocative, complex, textural and fundamentally American. His Cherry Pie Pinot Noirs are dazzling in their rich, layered, sensory excellence and are redolent of the flavors and aromas of something delicious baking in a warm kitchen – comforting, inviting and  with  their rich, dense, dark fruit flavors, as American as – well, Cherry Pie.

Fine Beer Club

Beer Club selections are not open for the tasting event, but a few bottles are available for purchase.

Each month the Fine Beer Club members receive $20 worth of beer in whatever configuration fits. We may include large format bottles, smaller bottles, six packs, even (gasp!) cans. Some are darker, some are lighter, but all in all it’s a great way to explore beers from international and domestic sources. Fine Beer Club is a variable number of bottles each month, in a huge range of beer styles, but always interesting and unique $20 worth of beer. This club focuses on new releases, specialty beers, and a wide variety of styles. This is for the craft beer explorer.

Want to get a text message when we tap a new beer? Sign up here.

Grand Teton Cellar Reserve Double Vision Dopplebock 2013
(Victor, Idaho)

Return of this popular and delicious Cellar Reserve beer.

There is a legend, one that has been circulating around the mountains out west, that about 20-25 years ago one of the monastery breweries in Germany was seeking a U.S. partner to contract brew their beer.  Rob and other brewers visited with the monks, and doing their due diligence, requested some authentic ingredients to work with.  As any great craft beer fan knows, yeast is mission critical to the specific flavor of top quality beers.  The monks yeast strain may have made its way into the hands of the U.S. brewers, and that yeast strain may have been cultivated for a quarter century before being used in the Grand Teton Double Vision Dopplebock.

This beer was first brewed in 2009 for the original Cellar Reserve series and was by far the most amazing beer for malt heads.  Aboard the Beer Ship, we did score a rare Bourbon Barrel Aged Keg of this nectar, which was also amazing.  Just bragging.

Here’s what Grand Teton is saying about this release:

2013 marks the 25th anniversary of Grand Teton Brewing. In celebration, we’re bringing back three of our favorite styles for this year’s Cellar Reserves. Double Vision Doppelbock was first brewed in 2009 to highlight our brewery’s wonderful water. Like all the great traditional brewing towns, our home, Victor, Idaho, is in or near some of the world’s best barley- and hop-growing regions, and is distinguished by an ample supply of top-quality water.

The 17th century Paulist monks of Munich were allowed no solid food during their twice-yearly fasts. They brewed an especially nourishing strong dark lager they called “liquid bread” and named “Holy Father” to help them through the Lenten and Advent fasts. The beer was known as a doppelbock, which signifies a strong lager. Since “bock” also means “billy goat” in German, these beers are often decorated with images of gallivanting goats. Our Double Vision label features two goats in front of a waterfall—a reminder of the importance of water to the development of the style as well as the taste of this strong lager.

Our Double Vision Doppelbock is brewed with Idaho 2-Row Pale and German Munich, CaraAroma, CaraMunich and de-husked Carafa malts to an original gravity of 22˚ Plato. The malts provide a dark leather color with ruby notes, a luxurious tan head, and a bready aroma with a hint of smoke. It is lightly spiced with German Hallertau Tradition hops and fermented with lager yeast from a monastery brewery near Munich. In the traditional manner, Double Vision is fermented cold (48 F) and lagered a full 12 weeks for smoothness. At 8% alcohol by volume, it is a deceptively drinkable springtime warmer.

Double Vision’s slightly burnt caramel flavor and malt sweetness make it an incredible match for game—venison, moose, duck, goose, and wild boar—especially when prepared with fruity sauces or reductions. Try it with pork and sautéed apples, roasted root vegetables, sweet sausages, ham or prosciutto. It’s wonderful with cheese and dessert, too. Pair it with an aged Gruyère, a caramel flan, or a crème brulee.

RateBeer: 98, BeerAdvocate: 93 exceptional

8% ABV, 40 IBUs, 750ml

Odell Myrcenary Double IPA
(Fort Collins, Colorado)

In honor of the upcoming Odell Tap takeover, get a load of one of my favorite Odell beers.  This stuff is delicious.

Named for Myrcene, a component of essential oils in the hop flower, Myrcenary Double IPA is our tribute to those who revere the illustrious hop, and their unyielding exploit to craft hop forward beers. Brewed with a blend of hops containing the highest levels of Myrcene, this double IPA prevails with a tropical fruit-like flavor, a pungent floral aroma, and a clean getaway.

RateBeer: 99, BeerAdvocate: 96 world class

9% ABV, 70 IBUs, 12oz bottle (two in club)

Great Divide Colette Saison
(Denver, Colorado)

Great Divide Beer Tasting event coming May 9th!  Here’s a preview for you, make sure you get tickets!
May 9th: Great Divide Beer Tasting at 5pm and 7pm (get tickets)

Our homage to the beers that have quenched the thirst of Belgian farm workers for centuries. Brewed with barley, wheat and rice and fermented at high temperatures with a special blend of four different yeast strains, Colette Saison is fruity and slightly tart, with a dry finish that makes it that rarest of treats–a beer as refreshing as it is complex.  2010 GABF Silver Medal Winner

Pair with Charcuterie plate (country sausage & sauerkraut), foie gras, Indian curry, Camembert cheese.

RateBeer: 90, BeerAdvocate: 93 exceptional

7.3% ABV, 12oz bottle (three in club)

Rare Beer Society

Rare Beer Society is a subscription to special and rare craft beers for a true craft beer lover. Exclusively limited-release beers, can be a variable number of bottles not exceeding a total cost of $35 in one month. This club focuses on beers that have low-availability, special reserve series beers, and hard-to-find exclusives. Included will be vintage beers suitable for aging, perhaps beers that we have cellared to perfection at Enoteca, and beers that appeal primarily to advanced craft beer enthusiasts.

Want to get a text message when we tap a new beer? Sign up here.

Hair of the Dog Blue Dot Double IPA
(Portland, Oregon)

Hair of the Dog, known as HOTD for short hand, releases this fantastic IPA in bottles when they feel like it.  Right now we scored some so here it is!

Blue Dot is named after our planet: we are only a pale blue dot in this universe. A Double India Pale Ale made with Organic Pilsner, Rye malt and a combination of intense northwest hop varieties.

RateBeer: 99, BeerAdvocate 91 exceptional

7% ABV, 80 IBUs, 22oz bottle

Anchorage Love Buzz Saison
(Anchorage, Alaska)

This is an incredible tart bottle of beer.  I drank one right before going to Sierra Nevada beer camp and it’s just incredible.  Between the saison yeast, the brettanomyces and finally aging on Pinot Noir barrels, it has everything a sour beer drinker could ask for.  Gabe Fletcher is the brewer, he left Midnight Sun to start his own all-Brett brewery and releases are spotty at best.

Saison brewed with spices and aged in French oak Pinot Noir barrels.

RateBeer: 100/100, BeerAdvocate: 94 exceptional

8% ABV, 40 IBUs, 22oz bottle

Stone Vertical Epic 2009 Belgian Porter
(Escondito, California)

I recently participated in a Vertical Epic tasting from 2003-2012.  It was fantastic.  This was one of the stand out beers from the whole line up, one that stood up well to the 4 years under its belt.  When I realized we had some in the cellar, I wanted to make sure the Rare Beer Society members had a chance to reach back in time and check this out.

Release notes from Stone:

Appearance:
This beer pours deep brown with a thick, frothy, creamy head of tan foam.

Aroma:
Many layers, starting off with chocolate and coffee from the chocolate malt, and vanilla notes from both the vanilla bean and French Oak. A balanced oak flavor comes through in the mix. As the beer warms, the influence of the Belgian yeast is more evident, as tropical fruit and spice flavors become more pronounced.

Flavor:
Begins with chocolate roast malt character and vanilla. The vanilla accentuates the chocolate nicely. Layered in are banana esters, and hints of clove, and then the finish is a bit stronger on the oak with hints of molasses and citrus from the tangerine peel.

Palate:
Medium body, very complex, and finishes very smooth. The 8.6% alcohol is not overly evident, and the flavors blend together nicely.

Overall:
A delicious, complex beer. It should age nicely over the next three years, and the flavors should continue to meld together wonderfully.

RateBeer: 98, BeerAdvocate: 95 world-class

8.6% ABV, 70 IBUs, 12oz bottle

Dear Enotecans,

We have a very special treat in store for you.  Tuesday, May 7th beginning at 7pm, Kirk Grace from Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars will be pouring a huge selection of ultra-premium wine for your enjoyment.

If you’ve heard of Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars you already know about the high quality wine they make, and how they’re quite exclusive.  If you’ve heard of or had Artemis, SLV, or Fay, you know that this is a winery that deserves it’s high reputation.  If you’re unfamiliar with Stag’s Leap, this tasting event is a perfect time to learn, and taste wines in a rare opportunity.

Only $7 per person, Tuesday May 7th at 7pm – Tickets Required to Attend, click here

Click through to buy your tickets. Purchase must be made online, and tickets are yours only when we receive payment information. No refunds or exchanges.

What are we tasting?

Attendees will be tasting 3 white wines and 4 premium red wines from Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars.  This will include some of the most famous and luxurious Cabernet’s from Napa Valley.  Absolutely not to be missed.

Only $7 per person, Tuesday May 7th at 7pm – Tickets Required to Attend, click here

Upcoming Event Reminders

Note: If you tried to buy tickets Wednesday evening, it’s likely they did not go through.  There was a technical glitch, please put in your ticket order again.  If we get a duplicate we will manually remove the duplicate.  Sorry for the inconvenience.

You can always see what’s coming up at Enoteca by seeing the calendar on our left sidebar on our newly revamped Events page.

• May 3rd: Wine Club Free Flight Friday – Pick 3 to taste from wine club for free
• May 6th: Member Monday: Special offer for Club Members
• May 7th: Stag’s Leap Wine Tasting with Kirk Grace – only $7 (get tickets)
• May 9th: Great Divide Beer Tasting at 5pm and 7pm (get tickets)
• May 13th: Onliest Mixology Monday
• May 16th: Odell Tap Takeover Beer Event

Dear Enotecans,

on·li·est [ohn-lee-ist]
Origin: 1575–85; only + est
intensive adverb 1. without others or anything further; alone; solely; exclusively:

Have you been to a Mixology Monday yet?  For the May Mixology Monday we’re offering a one time promotion, the onliest, because we think you should try it and we want to make it easy.  For this event only, we’re offering the Mixology Monday class for 1/2 price.  This is the only time we will do this promotion, so if you’ve been on the fence, this is the time to do it.

• Step 1: Find someone to go with you, 1/2 off is like 2 for 1!
• Step 2: Buy tickets online here.  The 1/2 price offer is priced at $7.50 individually.
• Step 3: Come to Enoteca Drinkery & Refuge Monday May 13th at 7pm.
• Step 4: Enjoy 3 fine hand crafted cocktails in an interactive, classroom environment.

Mixology Monday May: Summer Menu Preview

Bartenders Dustin, Zach and Ryan have been feverishly working on unveiling a Summer cocktail menu.  This Mixology Monday we will be sharing three exciting drinks from that menu, complete with history, technique and answering any questions you have.

Buy 1/2 price tickets online here.

Upcoming Event Reminders

You can always see what’s coming up at Enoteca by seeing the calendar on our left sidebar on our newly revamped Events page.

• May 6th: Member Monday: Special offer for Club Members
• May 7th: Stag’s Leap Wine Tasting with Kirk Grace – only $7 (get tickets)
• May 9th: Great Divide Beer Tasting at 5pm and 7pm (get tickets)
• May 13th: Onliest Mixology Monday
• May 16th: Odell Tap Takeover Beer Event

Will you spot the Yeti?

Thursday, May 9th at at 5pm and 7pm we are holding a Great Divide beer tasting with Alison Atkins.  Come try a handful of delicious beers from this Denver based brewery, including a special keg tapping and growler fill opportunity.

Tickets for May 9th, 5pm Beer Tasting – $13 per person.

Tickets for May 9th, 7pm Beer Tasting – $13 per person.

Click through to buy your tickets. Purchase must be made online, and tickets are yours only when we receive payment information. No refunds or exchanges.

The Tasting: We’ll be tasting a handful of new craft beers from Great Divide and tapping a special keg from Great Divide.  It’s a classroom style event, with two identical classes, one starting at 5pm and one starting at 7pm.  You must get tickets in advance, and when they are sold out, that’s all folks!

Growler Fill Opportunity: We will be a tapping a special keg from Great Divide for the event, so bring your growlers, after you taste (or before if you’re brave) you can get your growler filled up at a special price during the event only.  We have 11 tap handles dedicated to craft beer, and you can get your growler filled any time from our rotating beers on tap.  Check out the What’s On Tap? page to see what’s no right now, and sign up for our Keg Tap Text message service to be notified when a new craft beer comes on at Enoteca Drinkery & Refuge.

Great Divide Beers at Enoteca

What does Great Divide make?

Check out this list of Great Divide beers at Enoteca.  We will be drawing from this extensive line-up of delicious beers to pour for the tasting event.  Don’t hesitate to try these any time, Enoteca always keeps a lot of Great Divide around!  If you want us to put some in your Member Bin, click through and order, or just come on in anytime!

Can’t find what you’re looking for? Request it here!

Great Divide Belgian Yeti Russian Imperial Stout 22oz
Great Divide Chocolate Yeti Russian Imperial Stout 22oz
Great Divide Claymore Scotch Ale 6pk 12oz
Great Divide Colette Saison 6pk 12oz
Great Divide Denver Pale 6pk 12oz
Great Divide Espresso Yeti Stout Coffee 22oz
Great Divide Hercules Double IPA 22oz
Great Divide Heyday Belgian Wit (White Ale) 6pk 12oz
Great Divide Hoss Rye Lager 6pk 12oz
Great Divide Nomad Bohemian Pilsner 6pk 12oz
Great Divide Oak Aged Yeti Russian Imperial Stout 22oz
Great Divide Old Ruffian Barleywine 22oz
Great Divide Rumble Oaked IPA 6pk 12oz
Great Divide Titan IPA 6pk 12oz
Great Divide Wolfgang Dopplebock 22oz
Great Divide Yeti Russian Imperial Stout 22oz

Upcoming Event Reminders

You can always see what’s coming up at Enoteca by seeing the calendar on our left sidebar on our newly revamped Events page.

• Brewers Dozen: April’s Sierra Nevada Brewers Dozen keg has been tapped, hurry if you’re participating in the promotion!
• April 30th: Two Dollar Tuesday
• May 6th: Member Monday: Special offer for Club Members
• May 9th: Great Divide Beer Tasting at 5pm and 7pm (get tickets)
• May 13th: One of a kind Mixology Monday – details coming soon
• May 16th: Odell Tap Takeover Beer Event

Dear Enotecans,

For those who remember the variety offered by our Friday Wine Flights, we’re bringing them back in a new way.  First a few reminders about excellent wine  events coming up, then more info on the Flight!

Upcoming Event Reminders

You can always see what’s coming up at Enoteca by seeing the calendar on our left sidebar on our newly revamped Events page.  We’re gearing up for March, it’s here, it’s Spring, and we have some incredible events planned.

• Brewers Dozen: April’s Sierra Nevada Brewers Dozen keg has been tapped, hurry if you’re participating in the promotion!
• April 26th: Free Flight Friday: Dusted Valley with Chad Johnson
• April 29th: Member Monday: Special offer for Club Members
• April 30th: Two Dollar Tuesday
• May 9th: Great Divide Beer Tasting at 5pm and 7pm (get tickets)
• May 16th: Odell Tap Takeover Beer Event

Every Day Wine by the Glass List

Enoteca now has a full service bar, which we like to call the Drinkery & Refuge, including a regular wine by the glass list. Come in any time, Monday-Friday, 4pm-last customer, Saturday 12-last customer for a great glass of wine and a conversation. This list changes irregularly, we keep things on that you like and bring on new things that we think you’ll like! Right now we have some serious winners on the list, and some new contenders that we’ve recently added.

Wine Flight Any Time

We now have a regular full wine flight always available, Monday-Saturday and the flight changes every month or two. Did you see the new regular wine flight? It’s the Italian Odyssey!

Enjoy this tour-de-Italia with three fantastic reds from all over Italy, including two from Tuscany and one from Puglia, the “boot” of Italy. We’ve been getting rave reviews from the early tasters of this flight, don’t miss it.

Of course all of the Flight wines are available by the glass as well, and our retail side does have them in stock to take home if you find one you love. This happens a lot.

Free Flight Friday

Do you love variety? Love trying new wine? In addition to our regular wine flight, and our regular glass pour list, every Friday we will have a free wine tasting of 3 different wines.

Here are the details:

• Free: No cost, come up to the bar to get each taste.
• Wine: 3 different wines tasted each week.
• Tasting: 1/2 oz sample pours of each wine.
• Friday: From 4pm-6pm.

Come on by Friday to taste some wine, and stay for a glass from our glass pour menu, or try the wine flight on the menu. We’re opening one bottle of each wine, and when it’s gone, it’s gone. We’ll open the bottles at 4pm each Friday, with something new each week. These wines are not on the wine list, and are not available by the glass, only tasting. Bottles are available to buy and take home, so you can try before you buy.

This Week’s Flight 4-6pm Friday: Dusted Valley Vineyards Boomtown

Come hang out with wine maker Chad Johnson and taste three fantastic offerings from Dusted Valley Vineyards in Washington.  Chadwill be here from 4-6pm and will be pouring free tastes of  three wines!  Get a text message reminder about this free tasting on Friday.

Dusted Valley Boomtown Pinot Gris
(Columbia Valley, Washington)

Pinot Gris, or Grigio, most popular girl in the room today, can err on the simple side. But not Boomtown’s. This white bubbles over with apple, pear, honeysuckle, and citrus. There’s no oak here—just a touch of creaminess from contact with the fine lees in a stainless steel fermentation, which retains solid acidity and freshness. It’s the perfect dance partner for lightweight food but entertaining enough to command the stage alone.

Dusted Valley Boomtown Merlot
(Columbia Valley, Washington)

78.8% Merlot, 8.8% Malbec, 7.1% Syrah, 5.3% Cabernet Sauvignon

Dusted Valley Boomtown Cabernet Sauvignon
(Columbia Valley, Washington)

A throwback to the energetic Roaring 20’s, Boomtown embodies the spirit of American progress. Often called the “Age of Wonderful Nonsense,” the “booming” 1920’s represented a break in traditional formality and a movement towards freedom of creativity — a shift which ultimately delivered a more inspired America. From Jazz and Art Deco to women’s rights, this era gave way to an explosion of things uniquely American. In this time of cultural discovery, people took risks – they drank, they danced, women voted, and they paved the way for a more modern and open-minded America.

Lightly aromatic with milk chocolate, caramel, herbal notes, cherry, and licorice. Palate is light bodied, painting around the edges with caramel, mocha, and cherry flavors.

82% Cabernet Sauvignon, 6% Petite Verdot, 6% Malbec, 6% Merlot

Just Tapped: Brewers Dozen for April – Belgian Blonde IPA

Come on down right away and get your pint of the Belgian Blonde IPA!

We also tapped the Blindfold Black IPA from March to give another opportunity to catch up, in case you missed it.  Sign up for Keg Tap Text to always be the first to know about new craft beer kegs.

Upcoming Event Reminders

You can always see what’s coming up at Enoteca by seeing the calendar on our left sidebar on our newly revamped Events page.  We’re gearing up for March, it’s here, it’s Spring, and we have some incredible events planned.

• April 24th: Tequila Tasting Tonight! 6-8pm get tickets now
• April 26th: Free Flight Friday: Dusted Valley with Chad Johnson
• April 29th: Member Monday: Special offer for Club Members
• April 30th: Two Dollar Tuesday
• May 9th: Great Divide Beer Tasting at 5pm and 7pm (get tickets)
• May 16th: Odell Tap Takeover Beer Event

Brewers Dozen

Guess which bar is the exclusive north Idaho destination for the Brewers Dozen promotion by Sierra Nevada?  You guessed it, Enoteca Drinkery & Refuge.  Sierra Nevada recognizes that we’ve been drinking a lot of their beer, because it’s good, and now there is a very cool promotion coming our way.

Brewers Dozen Limited Draught Calendar

Sierra Nevada is releasing a different unique and amazing craft beer each month of the year, and two in August, making a Brewers Dozen (13) different beers.  We’ll be tapping one each month and announcing it via this email list.  If you want to know right away when the keg is tapped, join the Keg Tap Text service which sends you a text message when a new keg is tapped.  People on the Keg Tap Text service knew about this keg a week ago!

Get a Free Sierra Nevada T-Shirt

Come on down when we tap a new keg, and have a pint.  Make sure it’s under your name and account, complete with postal address.  We’ll keep track and if you succeed in ordering a pint from every single keg of the Brewers Dozen, you will receive a free Sierra Nevada T-Shirt!

These are all small batch, small keg beers, so we won’t be doing growler fills, and even then there are only an estimated 40 pints per keg.  To get the T-Shirt you have to order a pint from every keg, so when it gets tapped, better hurry!