OSB’s new taproom in Twisp. Photo by TwispWorks.

Winthrop-based Old Schoolhouse Brewery just opened a new taproom in Twisp, which features 21+ taps of OSB beers and others. The taproom is a part of TwispWorks, “a place where people and ideas come together and where creative enterprise thrives.” TwispWorks welcomes businesses, non-profit organizations, artists, craftspeople, and the community to the 6.4-acre campus to share, collaborate, and celebrate the vibrant culture that makes the Methow Valley a special place to live, work, and visit. Stroll through gardens, picnic on the lawn, tour artist studios, purchase goods from local producers, listen to live music, watch performers, and participate in classes.

Icicle Brewing in Leavenworth is expanding its distribution. It recently signed on with The Odom Corporation, which will allow it to increase its distribution in Washington, Idaho, Alaska, and Hawaii. Recently, Icicle Brewing Company celebrated its 6th anniversary. Read more here.

September 2016 Blewett Brewing opened in Leavenworth, joining Icicle Brewing and DogHaus Brewery. On a recent trip to the east side, I finally had the opportunity to visit the newly remodeled brewpub, and I was impressed. Housed in a cozy and relaxed atmosphere, the 2.5-barrel brewhouse cranks out a slew of solid beers that are available on draft or in crowlers to go. My favorite was the Crikside Citra IPA, which I later found out won a 2nd place People’s Choice Award at this year’s April Brews Day in Bellingham. The on-site pizza, made by Idlewild Pizza, was rather delicious as well. All three Leavenworth breweries are downtown and just blocks apart, so it’s easy to hit all three when you’re in town.

Janish and Tonsmeire

“American Sour Beers” author Michael Tonsmeire and blogger and homebrewer Scott Janish are planning to open a brewery in Maryland called Sapwood Cellars. Tonsmeire, who is also known as the Mad Fermentationist, is a leading authority on sour beer making, so this is exciting news for sourheads. The two plan to produce a spectrum of barrel-aged, bottle-conditioned, and mixed-fermentation beers, along with hop-forward ales. Learn more here.

With all the new breweries opening in Bellingham, it’s easy to overlook all the breweries opening in other cities. Snohomish is one that completely flew past my radar, which has “developed a major craft beer scene” in a short period of time. Since last year, at least six breweries have opened or are about to open, bringing the city’s total to nine (Haywire, Spada Farmhouse, Prison Break, Old Man, Lost Canoe, Three Bull, Sound to Summit, SnoTown, and Scrappy Punk). I guess I have some good reasons to visit Snohomish now.