Thursday 23rd of September 2010 03:18:32 PM

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The Yakima Valley is Washington State's Wine Country, rapidly gaining a world-wide reputation for its quality and variety of varietals.

But wait! The Yakima Valley is also where most of the world's supply of hops is grown as well and we beer lovers need, must have, crave our hops. Without hops, there is no beer. Well, there is but...that's another story.

So why is the valley known more for wine than beer? When you're making a drink that, although still the number one beverage in the world, is ignored because you in an area surrounded by winery after vineyard after wine bar, you tend to be invisible.

Rattlesnake Mountain and Atomic Ales in Richland; Snipes Mountain in Sunnyside; Yakima Brewing in Yakima and Whitstran in Prosser are all doing their best.

The new kid on the block (also in Prosser) is Horse Heaven Hills, located in the middle of downtown, behind some other buildings, down an alley, across the river and through the woods to Grandmother's house you go.

It IS a bit tough to find...but once you do, it will be a treat to sit and drink. Bartender Brenda were wonderful and one of the owners, Carol regaled us with a few stories of her Grand-Uncle...the fella you will see in the picture on the wall taming a bucking bronco...who was named, aptly "Home Brew."

This place is becoming so popular so fast that Brenda told us about the three Spokane woman (about a 100 miles to the north-east) who drive in every three weeks to fill up their growlers.

So become one of those people...one of those regulars to Horse Heaven Hills and do it soon. Give those wine drinkers a run for their money. Compare the Dark Cherry Stout to any Cabernet and ask those wine connoisseurs if they can put a dollop of Breyer's Vanilla Bean Ice Cream in THEIR drink for dessert?

Race over. You win!

Wednesday 8th of September 2010 02:08:54 PM

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Right in the middle of Washington wine country and spitting distance to another brewery. I was able to find another great Washington brewery. Here about a year ago and my lazy butt finally got to putting this out. Started up with life long football buddies who loved beer and after years of brewing in “The Shed” they decided to open a brewery. All the beers have special names from horses to special people from Prosser. They have live music and great beers. I was able to sample most of the line up and from the Honey girl to the Dark Cheery Stout they where very tasty brews. I really liked the Cherry stout. It was just the right amount of fruit flavor not over taking the rest of the malt build adding to the chocolate and coffee flavors/aroma. This is must on your Eastern Washington beer trip.

Saturday 7th of August 2010 02:19:19 PM

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Horse Heaven Hills has unexpectedly good beers for such a young and small brewery. We tried Live Long Lager (authentic tasting Czech Pilsner), Stallion Stout (dry stout), the Dark Cherry Stout (same stout but with cherries), and the Buck Off IPA, and all were well made and tasty. Also available on our visit were Honey Girl, Apricot Honey Light, Horse Heaven Wheat, Mustang Red, and Ruby Spear (amber). The specific beers vary, but they tend to stick with the styles represented.

It’s a bit hard to find, as it’s behind another building and you only see the sign if you are rigorously looking down each side alley and peering into every parking lot. However, you are welcomed as soon as you enter. The atmosphere is comfortable, local, and welcoming. We were made to feel quite at home and even got a sample off the zwickel of the new lager.

The building is made of cinder blocks and used to be a dry cleaners for many years. The space is one large room with yellow and brown walls and a gray painted concrete floor. Running along the left side of the room is the compact brewery and the refrigeration room. The mash tun, kettle, and fermentors are copper. Moveable metal fences separate the brewery from the tasting room which has five assorted tables and chairs, three throw rugs, a large piano, a ceiling fan, and a large screen TV. Lighting is provided by florescent tubes, as well as some natural light from a few windows along one wall.

At the back is a dark wooden bar with tall padded dark wood chairs. There is no distinctive bar back, but there is a nice hanging wood carving of three horses. The beer taps come directly out of the side of the refrigeration room. Paintings and photographs of horses decorate the rest of the walls. There’s also a small covered outdoor area with old tables and padded metal chairs. And there is a small room at the back more like a living room with couches, throw rugs, and a coffee table.

There is no food besides pretzels, but you’re welcome to bring your own or to order from nearby restaurants.

Wednesday 10th of March 2010 12:51:15 AM

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This person needs 3 or more reviews on the site for their scores to start counting.

Great young brewery with promise of good things. I have to recommend their Ruby Spur Amber. Nice atmosphere and enthusiastic owners. A very pleasant experience.

Unfortunately, this web site requires that I write a minimum of 75 words. As far as reviews go, I'm not a man of many words. Honestly, if you're anywhere around Prosser, this is the brewery to go to. In a town filled with wine, this is the breath of fresh air. I hope you enjoy it.