Timber Town, Cru Selections claim competition honors
PRIEST RIVER — Timber Town and Cru Selections won top honors at last month's 2023 Iron Sommelier and Brewmaster event.
The event, which returned after a two-year pause, was held Saturday, Feb. 25 at the Priest River Event Center. The highly-anticipated event raised over $39,000 for Foundation programs and included 80 individual Healthy Kids Snack Bags sponsorships, Jenny Smith, Newport Hospital & Health Services public information officer, said.
Guests voted on wine or microbrew flights paired with six gourmet "small bite" courses prepared by Executive Chef Steven Swanson of Nectar Catering and Events (Spokane). Swanson is a 2002 graduate of Newport High School and a Pend Oreille County resident.
Event newcomer, Brandon Hawkins of Timber Town Beer Company of Priest River, bested reigning champion Kennden Culp of Matchwood Brewing Company of Sandpoint for the 2023 Brewmaster title.
Timber Town's creative pairings of their craft brews with each course clinched the title. Although Culp captured the votes for Course 2 "Curried Sweet Potato Soup" paired with Matchwood's Amber Lager, Hawkins swept the pairings of the remaining courses: Course 1 "Ponzu Chicken Wings with Asian Slaw" paired with Timber Town's Tangerine Hefeweizen; Course 3 "Roasted Cauliflower with Hazelnut, Pomegranate Syrup, Celery Sherry Vinegar" paired with Timber Town's Bulbuck Golden Ale; Course 4 "Chicken Herb Pea Purée Cracklings" paired with Timber Town's Idaho Potato Beer; Course 5 "Pork Belly Mushroom Ragout with Creamy Polenta" paired with Timber Town's Crosscut Amber Ale, and Course 6 "Chocolate Mousse with Strawberry" paired with Timber Town's Karlee Ann Strawberry Rhubarb Sour.
Fellow newcomer, Kelsey Ellis of Cru Selections of Woodinville, Wash., upset Josh Midkirk of Hayden Beverage of Post Falls, for the 2023 Iron Sommelier title. In a tight race, Midkirk took the votes for two courses: Course 4 "Chicken Herb Pea Purée Cracklings" paired with Martoccia di Luca Brunelli, Poggio Apricale; and Course 6 "Chocolate Mousse with Strawberry" paired with Amistani, Prosecco Superiore D.O.C.G. Nonetheless, Ellis was able to snag the title by winning four of the course pairings: Course 1 "Ponzu Chicken Wings with Asian Slaw" paired with Charles Meras, Brut Rosé; Course 2 "Curried Sweet Potato Soup" paired with Day Wines, 2022' Vin de Days Blanc; Course 3 "Roasted Cauliflower with Hazelnut, Pomegranate Syrup, Celery Sherry Vinegar" paired with Baron de Montfaucon, 2020' Cotes du Rhone; and Course 5 "Pork Belly Mushroom Ragout with Creamy Polenta" paired with Newsprint, 2019' Columbia Valley Syrah.
The evening's live auction, presented by Jim Martin of 74 Main Public House, raised over $28,000 for NHHS programs, including over $14,000 in support of the Healthy Kids Snack Bag Program, which serves Newport, Priest River, Priest Lake, Oldtown, and Cusick. Lori Stratton, foundation event and program supervisor, said she was overwhelmed by the crowd's generosity and spirit of giving.
Spokane musician, Kicho Forrest, was back to provide dynamic acoustic and electric guitar with country and classic rock vocals. Forrest was accompanied on the drums by Bret Smith of Newport. Custom hand-crafted metal plaques were presented to event winners as well as to Swanson and Jim and Kerri Martin of 74 Main Public House.
Sixteen students from Newport High School's Health Occupation Students of America and Technology Student Association clubs served each of the six food courses and graciously accepted audience tips of over $1,000 towards their clubs' fundraising efforts. The Iron Sommelier and Brewmaster Event is an annual event and partnership with Jim and Kerri Martin, proprietors of 74 Main Public House of Priest River.
Information: newporthospitalandhealth.org