PRIEST RIVER — Newport Hospital and Health Services Foundation’s sixth annual Iron Sommelier and Brewmaster Event on Saturday raised nearly $16,000 for the foundation.

Held Saturday, Feb. 23, at the Priest River Event Center, the event included 27 individual Healthy Kids Snack Bags 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 in Spokane. Swanson is a 2002 graduate of Newport High School and a Pend Oreille County resident.

2018 Brewmaster Ed Tomlinson of No-Li Brewhouse of Spokane beat Spokane Valley’s Terry Hackler of Twelve String Brewing Company for the 2019 Brewmaster title with creative pairings of No-Li’s craft brews and the six courses served. As typical for this event, the race for “brewmaster” was extremely close, separated by mere votes. Hackler won two of the courses: Course 3 “New Orleans Style BBQ Shrimp” paired with Twelve String’s Mango Mambo; Course 4 – “Nori-wrapped Miso Cod in Dashi Broth” paired with Chardonnay Barrel-Aged Saison. However, Tomlinson’s pairings for the last two courses clinched the win for No-Li. Course 5 — “Shoulder Tenderloin Crusted with Ancho Chile & Coffee on Southwest Polenta” paired with NoLi’s Amber Ale; Course 6 – “Salted Caramel Cream Puff” paired with NoLi’s Wrecking Ball Imperial Stout.

Charlie Walker of Vehrs, Inc. in Spokane won the “2019 Iron Sommelier” title in a race that marks the fourth consecutive victory for Vehrs, and Walker’s second personal victory. Walker’s pairings for two courses gained him 71 votes over his competitor and decided the contest: Course 1 — “Roasted Butternut Squash Soup” paired with 2016 Opta Branco; Course 6 — “Salted Caramel Cream Puff” paired with JP Chenet Sparkling Rose´. Although newcomer Adam Meyer of Noble Wines swept two courses, it wasn’t enough to secure the win: Course 2 – “Radicchio and Prosciutto Salad with Sherry Vinaigrette” paired with 2017 Citra Pinot Grigio; Course 3 “New Orleans Style BBQ Shrimp” paired with 2017 Sea Pearl Sauvignon Blanc.

Spokane musician, Kicho Forrest, provided spirited acoustic guitar with country and classic rock vocals. Forrest was accompanied on hand drums by Bret Smith of Newport. A custom, hand-crafted metal plaque was presented to Swanson. Thirteen Newport High School HOSA (Health Occupation Students of America) Club and seven Priest River Lamanna High School National Honor Society students served each of the six food courses and graciously accepted the generous audience’s tips of over $1,000 toward their clubs’ fundraising efforts. The Iron Sommelier and Brewmaster Event is an annual event and partnership with Jim and Kerri Martin, proprietors of the Beardmore Bistro, Wine Bar and Tap House of Priest River.

Information: newporthospitalandhealth.org

Jenny Smith is the marketing and foundation director for Newport Hospital and Health Services. She can be reached by email at jenny.smith@nhhsqualitycare.org; by phone at 509-447-6303; or via the hospital’s website at newporthospitalandhealth.org.