Hops, grapes bring home the gold
Fred Colby, brewer at Laughing Dog Brewing, and Steve Meyer, winemaker at Pend d’Oreille Winery, celebrate their recent awards. (Courtesy photo)
SANDPOINT — Pend d’Oreille Winery and Laughing Dog Brewery both recently won top honors at the Wine, Stein and Dine event in Post Falls. The event was held at the Greyhound Events Center to benefit the Post Falls Education Foundation. Numerous food and beverage vendors were present to compete for medals, showcase their products and raise money for a worthy cause.
The Pend d’Oreille 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon topped the awards with the Best of Show (Grand Champion Medal), first place in the Northwest Wines category and first place for all Cabernets. The 2005 Merlot also earned a first place medal for all Merlots to round out an amazing evening for Pend d’Oreille Winery.
Laughing Dog Brewing’s Rocket Dog Rye IPA took the Best of Show (Grand Champion Medal) for all beers categories and the 1st place medal for IPA as well as. A bourbon-barrel, aged version of St. Benny’s Labby Style Ale (Laughing Dog’s 4th year anniversary beer) gathered the first place medal for Belgian-style beers. This is the second year in a row that Laughing Dog has taken home the top honors for beers and the third time in the last four years.
Located in downtown Sandpoint, winemaker Steve Meyer uses traditional French methods and grapes sourced from world-class vineyards around the Northwest to produce award winning wines. Pend d’Oreille Winery’s wine bar, tasting room and gift shop offer unique gifts for home, life and garden and are open daily for tours, tastings and live music most weekends.
About Laughing Dog Brewing
Located in Ponderay, Idaho, Laughing Dog Brewing was founded five years ago by Fred Colby and Michelle Douglass. Laughing Dog has quickly gained a reputation in the brewing world for its big, hoppy beers. Throughout the year, Laughing Dog produces 14 different beers with five of them being of the India Pale Ale style. Rocket Dog will be the newest year-round addition to the Laughing Dog pack, available in 22 oz. bottles in May but already available on tap. The Laughing Dogs tap room is open Monday through Saturday 11-6 with tours available on Saturday.
Information: Pend d’Oreille Winer, www.powine.com or 265-8545; and Laughing Dog Brewing,