Thursday 24th of June 2010 09:31:30 PM

link
This is a really upscale brewpub, right next to Doubletree Hotel and the Convention center. Looks like an expensive restaurant not a brewpub. It's a member of the Ram-Big Horn family and the beers are similar to the others in this brewpub chain. It's located right next to the Spokane river and offers outdoor seating. I started outbwith the Big Horn Hefe, which was lite in the banana clove aspect but a good beer. It had a slight spiciness
and it's a good lawn mower beer. Next I had the seasonal Belgian Wit which had a yellow color and was cloudy as per style, subtle corriander taste, a lite crisp version of the style, very nice session beer. Next beer was the Washington Blonde which was crystal clear and had a light gold color and a slightly sweet malty aroma with a slightly nutty malt flavor with low hops, another good session beer crisp and clean. Next came the Buttface Amber which had a deep copper color and some crystal malt aroma with a creamy mouthfeel followed by moderate malt and medium lite hop flavor to balance. This is a good beer as well. Next up was the 71 pale ale which had a deep gold color and medium lite hop aroma. The flavor was more aggresively hopped and I could sense some rye malt flavor. My food came and as it was happy hour I got two for one appetizers. I had some kalbi chicken wings which were deep fried and coated with a sweet teriyaki type sauce. 8 Good size wings which were all the drumstick part of the wings. I also had an order if sliders which came with the good type of fries with the skins on. The food came fast and the service was excellent. The sliders were average but basically came free on the happy hour special. Next beer I sampled was the Big Red IPA which had a nice hop aroma and medium mouthfeel and hop flavor. It was more of a pale ale but a good beer nonetheless. I would certainly order another pint. Last beer inbetween wings was the Total Disorder Porter which was very dark almost like a stout and had chocolate malt aroma and a tan creamy head. This is an average porter
but well balanced and certainly within style guidelines.

Worth coming to if in the area.

Wednesday 9th of September 2009 06:42:11 PM

link
Make no mistake here; C.I. Shenanigan's IS the Ram; The Big Horn Brewing Company. You can change the name but it doesn't protect the innocent.

That's my job.

All of the beers are basically hum-drum with little flavor, false bottoms and no character. With so many other craft brewers nearby (think Steam Works or Northern Lights or Golden Hills) why waste a moment or dollars here.

There is however, one bright spot to C.I. Shenanigan's and it is a very, very bright spot indeed (and the only reason why it gets such a high ranking here!)

With a beer "garden" situated right next to the Spokane River, you could easily wile away an entire afternoon watching the parade of baby-walkers, twenty-something-joggers, goose-feeders and old lovers pass by. There were times, as wife Persimmon & I along with sons Lewis and Clark sat there thinking, "this is like watching the animals at the zoo." Of course it eventually dawned on us that since we were sitting and eating behind a wrought-iron fence, the jogger-walkers probably thought the same of us!

Still, on a Spring - Summer - or early Fall day, this ranks #1 in my book for the best Beer Garden in Washington State.

I will return as often as possible, crossing the Cascades for the 5 hour drive and a long weekend of sampling.

If I can just figure out a way to smuggle in other beer -- any other beer!

Tuesday 25th of September 2007 04:38:55 PM

link
This is a nice upscale restaurant that also happens to brew beer. There is a separate bar area that has a nice mix of bar and table seating. They have the brewing tanks on display in the front area. My impression was that they attract a fairly upscale crowd.

They are affiliated with the Ram Chain.

The restaurant has lots of dark wood and brown leather. The restaurant offers a nice view of the river. They also have a nice terrace on the riverside that is open when the weather permits.

This place is orientated for fine dining. They specialize in PNW cuisine and steaks. Nice appetizer options. I had the fresh oysters and they were very good. In fact, the soups, salad, and entrees that I sampled were all good. Entrees averaged about $23.

Bonus, they offer ½ price beers and appetizers during happy hour.

Note that while the menu had an extensive wine list, it did not list the beer choices…. They had seven selections during my visit. The beers ran from OK to decent.

The service I would describe as benign neglect. While friendly, it was slow. The waitress did have a passable knowledge of their offerings. The service at the bar is much better.

While not m ideal brewpub, I have enjoyed my visits here and think most folks would find something they will like.