Fourth Cabin Fever Brewfest approaches

Garth Meyer, Gazette Reporter | Jan 20, 20160

Marmots scramble over drifting snow, fog shrouds the treeline at Kamiak Butte and the fourth annual “Palouse Cabin Fever Brewfest” nears.

Set for Feb. 13 at the community center, tickets are on sale for an increased capacity of 450 patrons who pay $20 for six taste tickets to sample beers from eight regional breweries.

The event's first year sold out at the door with subsequent years selling out beforehand.

A benefit for the Palouse Community Center, the Brewfest is organized by a group of volunteers with something in common.

“We're just a group of people that like good beer,” said Bruce Baldwin. “That's the extent of the formality.”

Starting with 250 tickets in 2013 – and 250 souvenir glasses – originally funded by private money, the indoor-outdoor event has raised $11,472 for the center.

Brewer's tents and tables are set up both inside and outside the building, with doors tied open and portable heaters in use.

“You've got to make your way around if you want to try everything, that's for sure,” said Baldwin.

Three new breweries join the list for this year: Trickster's Brewing Company of Coeur D'Alene, Black Label and Bellwether Brewing Company, both of Spokane. Returning pourers are Laht Neppur Company of Waitsburg, Riverport Brewing Company of Clarkston, Xythum Brewing Company of Fairfield, Paradise Creek of Pullman and Budge Brothers of Spokane.

Last year's winner for “Best Cure for Cabin Fever” was the Waitsburg Winter Warmer, a spiced ale.

An informal “brew crew” decides the lineup of brewers.

“A few of us go out and do research. If we like them, we invite them,” said Baldwin.

Cost of admission provides taste tickets for four four-ounce pours (one ticket) or full pints (three tickets), with more tickets available for purchase inside.

Also served will be bratwurst, sauerkraut and grilled onions as mostly blues music plays in the background.

“It's good beer food,” said Janet Barstow, another volunteer.

Adding to food options this year will be pizza from Hearth of the Dragon, along with the return of pretzel necklaces and free popcorn.

Preparations now move into the final stage for this year's Brewfest.

“Setting up the outdoor area, that's a workday in itself,” Baldwin said. “That's the biggest single thing we do. Prep the venue.”

Volunteers also bring in cabin-themed decorations – old skis, snowshoes, ice skates – and a load of firewood for pits outside.

Inside the temperature varies.

“You get that many people stuffed in a building, it heats up,” said Barstow. “It's fun to be outside, it's fun to be inside. People roam, they just do.”

“It is February so you need to dress accordingly,” said Baldwin.

Tickets are available at the Green Frog Cafe in Palouse, Paradise Creek Brewing in Pullman and Rants & Raves in Moscow.

The Brewfest runs from 3 to 8 p.m.

So what might be Baldwin's personal gold-medal winner from last year?

“I don't want to single anyone out,” he said. “I'd be more concerned about an error of omission.”

For more information call (509) 592-8073.