The beer will be flowing in Eastern Washington come late September. There are two beer festivals scheduled the weekend of Sept. 23-24, one in Ephrata, another in Spokane. Both are just a tankful of gas away from the Tri-Cities.
On Sept. 24, there's the inaugural Brewers' Harvest Expo in Ephrata with nine Eastern Washington breweries, and one from the west side, pouring samples of their brews.
The expo is from noon to 6 p.m. at the Grant County Courthouse in Ephrata. Admission is $25 for beer drinkers and $5 for designated drivers who will get free soft drinks and water.
To buy tickets send an email to denver@barrychrysler.com or go to www.facebook.com/BrewersHarvest.
All money raised will be donated to the Marty O'Brien Scholarship Fund to assist college bound student athletes.
On Sept. 23-24, the Washington Beer Commission will hold a Spokane Oktoberfest at Riverfront Park in downtown Spokane.
The park will be turned into a Bavarian biergarten featuring a massive, high-peak tent with picnic tables, tasty food options, traditional music and Washington brewed German style lagers and fall seasonal beers on tap. There will be 24 breweries pouring 50 craft beers.
Hours are from 4 to 9 p.m. Friday and from noon to 9 p.m. Saturday.
Tickets for Friday or Saturday -- you need one for each day -- are $15 in advance, $20 at the door. Admission includes a tasting cup and five 5.5-ounce sample tastes. Additional tokens will be available for purchase at $1.50 each.
Tickets are available online at www.washingtonbeer.com.
You must be 21 or older to attend either event.
Cheesey class
Cheese monger Bill Krieger will teach a class on washed-rind, or "stinky," cheeses from 6 to 8 p.m. Oct. 20 at Cheese Louise on The Parkade in Richland. This is an opportunity to try some unique cheeses from around the world, learn how they're made and their origins.
Cost is $35 w ith a $20 deposit due at registration.
To sign up, call 509-420-4222.
New read
The book: Bold & Healthy Flavors: 450 Recipes from Around the World by Steve Raichlen.
Cost: $20
Best for: The author zeros in on healthful dishes from around the world, everything from an Indian-spiced lamb with yogurt-tahini, to polenta with Calabrian sausage sauce. Along the way he imparts low-fat cooking techniques like "bake-frying" and using herbs, spices, heart-healthy oils, citrus zests, stocks, and marinades to bring out the best in your food.
*Loretto J. Hulse: 582-1513; lhulse@tricityherald.com. To receive a recipe via e-mail each Tuesday register at tricityherald.com and click on newsletters.
