It’s Friday, I Need a Drink in Washington

Washington is known for amazing brews with a high brewery per capita ratio, so, perhaps we owe a debt of gratitude to one of the first and biggest breweries in the state to get the industry up and running.  Red Hook Brewery has been a staple craft beer establishment for 35 years and now houses three brewery locations in the state.  Drop in for a pint or four this Friday for a taste of the Long Hammer IPA, Extra Special Lager, or the classic Red Hook staple: the ESB.  Join the Red Hook Mug Club with Spur Experiences and start sipping on some beer today. Learn more about the Mug Club and Red Hook Brewery at ESB-eautiful

A growing trend in the libation sector is hard ciders and Finnriver Farm and Cidery can hook you up with some of their tangy brews.  The tasting room is rustic and the staff is friendly with a happy-to-serve demeanor.  While you’re on the property, be sure to meander around and see the dairy farm, as well as meet some of the farm animals.  This deal with Spur Experiences will score you six tasters so that you can get a feel for all the ciders have to offer. Learn more about Finnriver Cidery at Farmers Drink Too

You’ll need to set aside a full day for this adventure.  Burn some calories (don’t worry, you’ll replace them later) on the river with a guided raft trip that leads into a memorable BBQ lunch.  After that, you’ll be taken to the best wineries in the Wenatchee Valley for some delicious Pacific Northwest varietals.  After this day of rafting, eating, and drinking you could probably use a(nother) drink…buy a bottle at one of the wineries for a relaxing evening. Learn more about this raft and winery experience at Earn Your Booze

Scratch Distillery has a certain affinity for the often-underrated herbal spirit of gin.  They offer a classic gin intended for your martini sipping pleasure, or you can venture into a unique style that is barrel-aged which is a rarity in the gin world.  While you’re there, do a horizontal taste comparison of their potato vodka vs. grape vodka vs. wheat vodka and learn the subtle nuances between the various ingredients used.  For a little extra flavor in your beverage, work your way into the vapor-infused vodkas such as the tea, berry, citrus, or spice up your life with the pepper vodka that uses a blend of jalapeno, serrano, pink peppercorn, and black peppercorn.  Finally, for the true enthusiast (or, as Scratch puts it, “ginthusiast”) we have one of the most unique distillery experiences you can hope to have: The Scratch Distillery Giniology Class. In this intimate class setting you will learn about the ingredients that make gin so special; from the compulsory juniper, to optional additions such as elderflower, cucumber, or even give it a little spice.  From there, you actually get to create your own personalized gin to take home that night and try to refrain from emptying the bottle of your perfect gin in one sitting.  What’s more, when you do inevitably polish that bottle off you can order another bottle of your unique creation!  Classes are Saturday and Sunday evenings but reservations are required for this exclusive class so plan ahead. Learn more about Scratch and Giniology™ at “Gin Equals Love”