Wednesday 20th of June 2012 11:48:09 AM

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Columbia Valley Brewing is in a generic grey cinder block building that is shared with a gym and adorned only with a small amount of blue trim just below the roof. However, it’s right across the street from a small park on the Columbia River that’s part of the extensive paved loop trail in town. The large outdoor beer garden has some peek-a-boo views of the river between the trees in the park, and is a comfortable space furnished with white chairs with light blue nylon webbing and matching round glass-topped tables, mostly on grass. There’s also a small stage at one side.

Three roll-up glass garage doors open between the outside and inside. Inside is also a large space with assorted wood (and simulated wood) tables and chairs. The ceiling is double-height, the floors are concrete, and there is a long corrugated metal, L-shaped, wood-topped bar with tall light wood padded chairs on one side. The brewery is to the left behind a matching corrugated metal wood-topped counter lined with more of the same chairs. Pool tables are at the opposite end of the room along with another small stage set below a large projection TV screen. At one side are two groupings of comfortable looking couches and side chairs as well as a foosball table.

It’s a locals place (though visitors are OK). The bartender on our visit could not accurately describe the only two house-made beers available (Wenatchee Weizen and “Suffocator”, the latter described as a stout, but actually more accurately called an Imperial amber on their Facebook page). Neither beer was truly outstanding. Their brewing techniques still need some work. It’s a shame, as the space is really quite nice, so we hope their beer improves to do it justice.

There is a parking lot. The only food is pretzels.