2024 Iron Sommelier & Brewmaster Event

Timber Town and Hayden Beverage Take 2024 Iron Sommelier and Brewmaster Titles

NHHS CEO Merry-Ann Keane presents Brandon Hawkins of Timber Town with the 2024 Iron Brewmaster award
NHHS CEO Merry-Ann Keane presents Josh Midkirk with the 2024 Iron Sommelier award

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

PRIEST RIVER –Newport Hospital and Health Services Foundation hosted the 2024 Iron Sommelier and Brewmaster Event on Saturday, February 24 at the Priest River Event Center.  The sold-out event raised over $43,000 for Foundation programs and included 64 individual Healthy Kids Snack Bags annual sponsorships.

Guests voted on wine or microbrew flights paired with six gourmet “small bite” courses prepared by Executive Chef Steven Swanson of Nectar Catering and Events (Spokane). Swanson, a 2002 graduate of Newport High School, prides himself on creative courses that challenge the wine and microbrew competitors.

Brandon Hawkins of Timber Town Beer Company (Priest River) bested 2017 champion Cooper Balke of MickDuff’s (Sandpoint) for the 2024 Brewmaster title.  Timber Town’s creative pairings of their craft brews with each course clinched the title.  Although MIckDuff’s captured the votes for Course 2 “Moroccan Bisque” (paired with MickDuff’s Idaho Amber and Course 3 “Steak & Chimichurri Taco” paired with MickDuff’s LaCerveza Mexican Light Lager, Timber Town swept the pairings of the remaining courses: Course 1 “Vietnamese Noodle Salad” paired with Timber Town’s Bullbuck Golden Ale;  Course 4 “Dirty Blackened Chicken” paired with Timber Town’s South of the (Canadian) Border Mexican Style Lager; Course 5 “Country Beef & Mash” paired with Timber Town’s Power Out Porter; and Course 6 “Key Lime Tart” paired with Timber Town’s Tangerine Hefeweizen.

Josh Midkirk of Hayden Beverage (Post Falls, ID) upset the 2023 Iron Sommelier, Kelsey Ellis of Cru Selections (Woodinville, WA), for the 2024 Iron Sommelier title.  In a tight race, Hayden Beverage took the votes for four courses: Course 2 “Moroccan Bisque” paired with La Garenne 2020 Vouvray; Course 3 “Steak & Chimichurri Taco” paired with Smith & Hook, 2020 Proprietary Red Wine Blend; Course 5 “Country Beef & Mash” paired with Neyers Vineyards 2019 Zinfandel Vista Luna; and Course 6 “Key Lime Tart” paired with Jeio Prosecco Brut.

The evening’s live auction, presented by Jim Martin of 74 Main Public House, raised nearly $28,000 for Foundation programs, including over $11K in support of the Healthy Kids Snack Bag Program, which serves Newport, Priest River, Priest Lake, Oldtown and Cusick. Corporate Sponsors included Kalispel Tribe of Indians and Kalispel Casino, The Club – Total Balance Fitness, Wellpoint, Coordinated Care, and Bonner General Health.

Spokane musician, Kicho Forrest, was back to provide dynamic acoustic and electric guitar with country and classic rock vocals. Forrest was accompanied on the drums by Bret Smith of Newport. Crystal obelisk trophies were presented to the event winners. Chef Swanson and Jim and Kerri Martin (74 Main Public House) were also recognized for their dedication and support of the event, now in its ninth season. 17 students from Newport High School’s HOSA Future Healthcare Professions, TSA (Technology Student Association), and FBLA clubs served each of the six food courses and graciously accepted audience tips of $2,000 towards their clubs’ fundraising efforts. The Iron Sommelier and Brewmaster Event is an annual event and partnership with Jim and Kerri Martin, proprietors of 74 Main Public House of Priest River. More information on this and other Foundation events is available at www.NewportHospitalAndHealth.org.

# # #

Thank you, 2024 Sponsors!

 


Make a Donation

If you would like to make a donation to the Foundation, please donate securely online (below) or mail your donation to: NHHS Foundation, 714 W. Pine Street, Newport WA 99156.

Make a Secure Online Donation

NOTE: Our donation platform is not meant to be used to pay for any hospital, clinic or residential care accounts. If you have any questions regarding your patient or resident account, please contact Patient Financial Services at (509) 447-9351.

Newport Hospital and Health Services is a 501(c3) non-profit organization. Please call us at (509) 447-2441, ext. 4373 if you need more information.