Mark Irvin, co-founder of No-Li Brewhouse and pictured in the center, led the group of 12 craft brewers at the first-ever Spokane/Inland Northwest Craft Brewers Conference. Twelve craft brewers from East Washington and Northern Idaho shared their stories, beers and dreams. Spokesman Review beer columnist Rick Bonino was also in the crowd. The group’s first project is to create the Spokane Ale Trail – a map of local breweries distributed in local hotels.
Five regional brewers – Golden Hills, Laughing Dog, Riverport, Selkirk Abbey, and the conference host, No-Li Brewhouse will trek to Denver for the craft beer world’s grandest party of them all: Great American Beer Festival this October. “Spokane beer culture is thriving, fresh and relevant,” said Irvin. “Spokane is the best kept secret – a tight group of home town craft brewers.” The group is also vying for a future National Home Brewers Conference
