Wednesday 26th of November 2008 02:56:38 PM

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Last stop for the day we hit for dinner Skye Book and Brew. Yeppers a book store with a brewery inside. We found it and only about an hour from our home base which for the weekend was in Richland Washington. On the small main street this place was pretty unassuming and looked like a regular book store. There where about 15 tables in the middle for people to eat and books all over the sides and in the back for you to read or even buy. I found the old Dayton High school year books near our table. Saw that Dayton had one hell of a football team back in 1961. I was wondering do these guys even live around here or have the long since moved on? The food was comparable to a regular pub grindage. The beers where not too bad some needed work and others where pretty darn good. I really liked the winter stout as the flavors where very good and filled with tons of great dark malts and coffee and chocolate flavors. The Scottish was dark and that was also followed with a great finishing flavor. The IPA was nice also with a good flavor of hops. The food was pretty decent and plenty of it. We had a nice time and after reading more about the town we are sure to come back and visit when we have more time. Skye Book and Brew we where not sure what we would find but we where happy once we did.

Tuesday 15th of January 2008 01:26:38 PM

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Dayton, Washington is a quinessential small town. Nestled 30 miles east of Walla Walla, it's 3-block long main street boasts several antique shops (expected), an old restored Victorian Hotel (expected), a cafe / diner (expected), a book store (expected) in a brewery (hold the phone!)

A book store with a brewery? Is that what he said?

He did.

Dayton's Skye Book & Brew. Come in, have a brew and lunch and while away the time with a good book, new or used.

Brewer / Owner Mike McQuary loves 'em both and really didn't start out with the idea of combining the two but fate took over and we all know what happens when fate steps in and we're not paying attention. Now Mike's got himself quite the enterprise.

Wife Persimmon and I happened in one Easter weekend just as the sky opened up with an enormous thunder-storm. We weren't looking to have a beer - it was just the closest shelter...but then that old lady fate took charge and...well, you know.

We sat and watched the downpour, enjoying an excellent Belgium Wit and wondering (out loud) if perhaps we had been missing something when it came to our beer choices. About that time, Mike showed up from the basement brewery to announce he had just finished his first batch of Scottish Ale and would we like a sample. It took his a moment (about the same amount of time it would take a hummingbird to flap its wings once) and said "sure." And that taste sent us on our quest to visit all the Washington breweries and brewpubs.

So Dayton might not be on your tour agenda but the beer there is first rate, the food delicious, the atmosphere perfect. Yes, I might be a bit prejudicial in my pronouncements but then I have good reason. Like many of my draught-loving friends, I will always remember the brew my family drank and therefore, the first I ever tried - the first beer that made me question "where have you been all my live?" - and the place that introduced me to a true pub experience rather than a bar.

So thanks, Mike. Wherever I go, I'll always raise one just for you...and I'll be back.