Conveniently located next to DOMA in Post Falls -- hey, you never know, you might need some coffee -- is Selkirk Abbey, Post Falls's newest brewery. (And yes, that is right, Post Falls does, in fact, have more than one brewery.) Their beer isn't available in Spokane as of yet, though that should change soon. You probably want to head eastward and try a flight of their beers, should you be a beer person. And just for you, we will share some of our musings on the various ales we tried during our visit.
White: The first one in the flight was probably my least favorite. That's not to say it was bad, because it wasn't. I just found it to be a bit too mellow, and had kind of expected the citrus and spices to come out a bit heavier. Still, it's definitely a worthy summer sipper.
Deacon: This is a Belgian pale, a type I'm not too familiar with, yet ended up liking a lot. Don't expect your typical Northwest pale mind you; The Deacon does have a nice malty crispness to it, but the fruitiness and spices really make it a bit different. The light mouthfeel was refreshing, and you'll pick up on nuances as you keep sipping through it, with what I assumed to be Belgian yeast balancing out the other flavors. Yeah, Deacon might have been the surprise of the day. An excellent ale.
Infidel: Early buzz has put a Belgian IPA, the Infidel, up as a Selkirk Abbey favorite. That makes sense, what with the IPA's standing here in the Northwest, and I got to say, mixing it up Belgian style worked very well. The golden hue with a thick head and excellent lacing gave the beer an inviting look, and the hops balanced the more standard Belgian flavors out well. This is a big beer -- I'm not entirely sure about the ABV, but would guess around 9% -- and one I could see become a broader local favorite as Selkirk Abbey expands its distribution.
Saint Stephen: I like a good Saison, and this one hit the mark well. It was very classic in its flavors, and should be a good seasonal sipper. Mellow, certainly, yet very complex in its own right. Earthy tones and spices flanked the fruitiness, giving it almost a wine like flavor. Saint Stephen is likely a beer everyone can agree on and enjoy.
Selkirk Abbey also has a host of rotating taps in addition to their own beers. Anderson Valley and New Belgium were both represented during our visit, though the bourbon barrel aged Dogfather from Laughing Dog was probably the best guest tap.
Really, you should make your way over to Post Falls and check Selkirk Abbey out if you like beer. They have started something good out there, and could become a true destination if they keep this up.