2025 Iron Sommelier & Brewmaster champions announced

PRIEST RIVER — Newport Hospital and Health Services Foundation is celebrating the winners of the 2025 Iron Sommelier and Brewmaster Event, held Feb. 22 at the Priest River Event Center.  

The annual event raised over $51,000 for foundation programs, including annual individual sponsorships of 136 students for the Healthy Kids Snack Bags. Guests voted on wine or craft beer flights paired with six gourmet "small bite" courses prepared by executive chef Steven Swanson of Nectar Catering and Events (Spokane). Swanson, a 2002 graduate of Newport High School, prides himself on developing exciting courses that challenge the event competitors’ pairing skills.

Brandon Hawkins of Timber Town Beer Company of Priest River was able to retain the Brewmaster title for his third straight win, beating 2020 champion Andrea Marcoccio of Matchwood Brewery Company in Sandpoint. The votes were close, but ultimately Timber Town’s creative selections of their craft brews swept the pairings of all six courses. Course 1 featured roasted garlic bisque paired with Timber Town’s South of the (Canadian) Border Mexican Style Lager; the second course featured chipotle roasted sweet potato salad paired with Timber Town’s One Foot in the Black, Black Lager; and the third course 3 featured Thai chicken lettuce wraps” paired with Timber Town’s Tangerine Hefeweizen. Course 4 featured beef and mushroom ragù paired with Timber Town’s Crosscut Amber Ale; the fifth course featured pork salsa roja paired with Timber Town’s River Pig Pale Ale; and the sixth course featured a boozy apple potsticker paired with Timber Town’s Fest Beer.

Newcomer Holland Stevens of Hayden Beverage in Post Falls upset the 2024 Iron Sommelier, Josh Midkirk, now of Tastevin Wine in Boise for the 2025 Iron Sommelier title. In a tight race, Midkirk took the votes for two courses: the beef and mushroom ragù paired 2023 Comtesse Marion cabernet sauvignon (France); and the pork salsa roja paired 2021 Godina Garnacha (Spain). However, Stevens received the most votes for the other four courses to clinch the win: the roasted garlic bisque paired with Pizzolato Muse Prosecco (Veneto, Italy),non-vintage; the chipotle roasted sweet potato salad paired with 2023 Tapestry Sauvignon Blanc (Central Coast, California); the Thai chicken lettuce wraps paired with 2022 Masi Fresco di Masi Rosso (Veneto, Italy); and the boozy apple potsticker paired with Caposaldo Provincia di Pavia Moscato (Lombardy, Italy), non-vintage.

The evening’s live auction, presented by Jim Martin, raised over $37,500 for Foundation programs, including over $24,000 in support of the Healthy Kids Snack Bag Program, which serves Newport, Priest River, Priest Lake, Oldtown and Cusick. Corporate sponsors included Kalispel Tribe of Indians and Kalispel Casino, The Club – Total Balance Fitness, and Wellpoint.

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. Crystal and marble trophies were presented to the event winners. Michele Hastings, Roni & Lauren Naccarato, Angie Rogers, Martin Amador, Jim & Kerri Martin (74 Main Public House), and Chef Swanson (Nectar) were also recognized for their dedication and support of the event.

15 Students from Newport High School’s HOSA Future Healthcare Professions, TSA (Technology Student Association), Skills USA, and FBLA (Future Business Leaders of America) clubs served each of the six food courses and graciously accepted audience tips of over $1,300 toward their clubs’ fundraising efforts. 

Information: NewportHospitalAndHealth.org

    Newport Hospital and Health Services CEO Kim Manus presents the 2025 Iron Sommelier award at the recent 2025 Iron Sommelier and Brewmaster Event.