Mashing-In News: Legends of the West Recap, Meet Westwood Farms
GOOD MORNING, SOUTH PUGET SOUND!
Monday, July 14, 2025 — Conor McGregor turns 37 today!
Some days in craft beer feel like quiet head-nods in a sunlit taproom; others feel like a triple IPA-fueled cannonball into a vat of dry-hopped revelation. Today? Absolute lupulin whiplash. From a fire-breathing IPA fest in Washougal to Mario Kart-fueled cider joints in Tacoma, from regenerative Oregon hop farms resurrecting the soul of agriculture to Arkansas rice muscling its way into the malt conversation like a gluten-free monk with a mission—these are not just headlines, they are hymns. Behold: the sermon of suds, the gospel of grain, the ever-turning fermentation of fate.
Sunburn, Simcoe, and Salvation: Legends of the West Delivers
Legends of the West didn’t just arrive—it roared into Washougal like a fire-breathing lupulin beast in mirrored aviators. Grains of Wrath threw their inaugural IPA bacchanal in the blacktop coliseum behind their production facility, where 37 of the West’s elite poured sun-slicked sermons of clarity, bitterness, and joy into our parched and willing souls. (Peaks & Pints)
Beer, Cider, and a Side of Mario Kart: Inside Pierce County’s Taproom Revival
A curated roundup of newly opened and recently refreshed taprooms across Pierce County spotlights a wave of innovation in local beer and cider culture—from Evergreen State Brewing’s Pacific Northwest-themed rebrand to Narrows Brewing’s new Proctor outpost with chef-driven snacks, Locust Cider’s arcade-filled “HarborCade,” and Cider & Cedar’s award-winning wings and cider menu—all blending barcade fun, themed taps, and community-focused vibes into a vibrant new era of craft hospitality. (The News Tribune)
Meet Westwood Farms: Oregon’s Regenerative Hop Grower Powering Craft Beer’s Future
Westwood Farms, a newly branded Oregon hop farm founded by seventh-generation farmers Liz and John Coleman, marks a bold new chapter in a 175-year agricultural legacy—merging regenerative practices, sustainability, and community-driven stewardship on over 700 acres of historic farmland once part of Coleman Agriculture, now reimagined as a forward-thinking, Salmon-Safe-certified operation supplying premium hops to leading brewers worldwide. (The New School)
Pints With a View: Inside America’s Most Exceptional Beer Gardens
Experts say America’s best beer gardens stand out not just for atmosphere and beer selection, but for offering exclusive brewery partnerships, eco-friendly practices, and immersive experiences like tastings, pairings, and tours—qualities showcased in top venues from New York to Austin and Seattle to St. Louis. (The Drinks Business)
Colorado Beer Sales Dip, Brewery Closures Outpace Openings
Beer sales in Colorado dropped 3.2% in 2024—worse than the national average—and the state saw 41 craft brewery closures amid inflation, staffing shortages, and shifting drinking habits, prompting industry leaders to call for greater public and legislative support as the state’s proud craft beer legacy faces mounting challenges. (American Craft Beer)
Rethinking Rice: Brewing Up Demand With an Ancient Twist
A new economics study suggests that reviving the ancient process of malting—typically reserved for barley—could spark fresh domestic demand for Arkansas-grown rice, offsetting declining exports by making rice a cost-effective, sustainable, and gluten-free alternative for brewing beer. (The Pine Bluff Commercial)
Link: Peaks & Pints beer and cider cooler inventory
