A Winter Warmer Win

PALOUSE – Laht Neppur's Waitsburg Winter Warmer won the People's Choice "Best Cure for Cabin Fever" award at the Feb. 7 Palouse Cabin Fever Brew Fest. This makes the second event-win in a row for Laht Neppur Brewery, whose Spiced Peaches 'N' Cream Ale won the title in 2014.

Six breweries, featuring a total of 22 custom brews, competed at the event. In addition to Laht Neppur Brewing Company, the 2015 lineup included: Zythum Brewing Company, Budge Brothers Brewery, 12 String Brewing Company, Riverport Brewing Company, Moscow Brewing Company, and Paradise Creek Brewery.

The Waitsburg Winter Warmer is a spiced Amber Winter Ale made with honey, sweet orange peel, cinnamon, cloves and allspice. Last year's winner, Spiced Peaches 'N' Cream Ale, is a Peach Hefeweizen with a hint of nutmeg and cinnamon. Moscow Brewing Company placed a close second with their Spruce Porter, "a solid, blue-collar beer."

The Palouse Cabin Fever Brew Fest is only three years old and Laht Neppur has won each of the two years they have attended. "It's one of the fests we really look forward to and one we're hoping to model the Waitsburg Celebration Days Brew Fest after," said Cort Ruppenthal.