PONDERAY — He has just under 14 years until he can try it, but when the time is right, Lou Foust (namesake of Sweet Lou’s Restaurant and Bar) will be able to quench his thirst with his very own brew, made in Ponderay.

Sweet Lou’s Restaurant and Bar recently teamed up with Laughing Dog Brewery to create a unique beer, poured only at Sweet Lou’s restaurants.

“We wanted to come up with something that would appeal to a large crowd,” Chad Foust, owner of Sweet Lou’s Restaurant and Bar said. “It’s fun to pull guests away from the lighter beers and encourage them to try something new.”

Lou’s Brew is an Indian Pale Ale, which are normally known for their hoppy flavor. However, Lou’s Brew is smoother than your average IPA with a pleasing finish.

“Being approached by Sweet Lou’s to collaborate on Lou’s Brew was an honor,” Michelle Sivertson, vice president of operations at Laughing Dog Brewery said. “To watch the creative “taste-buds flow” was exciting and the resulting IPA is a crowd pleaser. We are “hoppy” to have been chosen to brew with the Foust family. Chad and Meggie gave us great direction and we feel together, we have a homerun.”

Working with Laughing Dog on their inaugural contract brew was an easy decision for Sweet Lou’s. The locally-owned companies have crossed paths many times both in business and community building — Michelle Sivertson and Chad Foust sit on the Greater Sandpoint Chamber of Commerce board of directors while Fred Colby, founder and executive brewer at Laughing Dog Brewery, and Meggie Foust, co-owner of Sweet Lou’s, sit on the board at the Panhandle Animal Shelter.

“It was a fun project to team up for,” Chad said. “We had a few taste testing meetings that felt more like a happy hour. It was hard work, but someone had to do it.”

Sweet Lou’s would like to cordially invite all beer lovers to the tapping of their first keg on Monday, July 17 at 5 p.m. at Sweet Lou’s Restaurant and Bar in Ponderay. Pints will be going for $4.75 and guests are welcome to take home a commemorative pint glass from their first round. A second keg tapping celebration will take place on Tuesday, July 18 at 5 p.m. at Sweet Lou’s Restaurant and Tap House in Coeur d’Alene.

If you can’t make either of the celebrations — don’t worry. Lou’s Brew will always be on tap at both locations. With happy hour every day from 4-6 p.m., you will have plenty of opportunities to enjoy a pint or two.

Be sure to become friends with Sweet Lou’s on Facebook for ongoing specials. They are open seven days a week, 11 a.m.- 10 p.m. For more information, visit sweetlousidaho.com.