(SpoCOOL) A Spokane Blog

Seventeen contestants are ready to sacrifice it all to win SpiceaWAR, but who are they?

Introducing... the contestants!

So here's one from Alaskan Brewing Company that is, at least, interesting. It's not wonderful, not something bards will write songs about, but I do respect what Alaskan is doing with their "Pilot Series".

The Raspberry Wheat is by no means bad either. It pours an incredibly cloudy amber color, with a bit of hue from what I assume is raspberries. A sniff is... not too pleasant... I can live with sweet scents, but the raspberries kinda reminds me of Lifesavers. With all respect to the many fine people at the Lifesavers factory, I don't really want that smell coming from my beer.

Flavor wise things are better, but not by much. The raspberries aren't too overpowering, but they still have an artificial flavor, and they aren't helped much by the flat characteristics of the wheat. The beer might have been a good idea, but the execution seems a bit lacking so far.

So. The Pilot Series has some potential, I think, but I've yet to blown away by it. Some day, maybe, though not yet.

Where will you be on Saturday, November 5th? Don't answer, because whatever plans you might have just changed: You will be at The Blue Spark witnessing seventeen contestants competing in SpiceaWAR for the title of SpoWARRIOR!

Five rounds -- including Buffalo Pong and the dreaded Hot Sauce Pudding Balloon -- will show who's the ultimate spicy food champion, and you can affect the outcome! Spin the wheel, and you could throw a wrench in the works (more specifically, a pepper) for a competitor of your choice. Proceeds from the spin will go to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.

There's more: Savor Sweets will have ghost pepper pops at hand, for your enjoyment!

Blue Spark is serving up special spicy Bloody Marys.

And all of this while you watch seventeen contestants cry in pain from insanely spicy food. Plans are afoot to have some food samples available too, if you want to try some yourself (and also support the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.)

To sum it up: It'll be fun. Lots of fun! Over the next few weeks you'll see lots more information here about the event, but for now, keep late afternoon, Saturday, November 5th open. 

Ziploc bags? Those are so last Tuesday, and a pretty dang expensive way to store something. I mean, really, you put some nuts in one, take it to work, then throw the bag away... That's not just a waste of resources, it's a waste of money.

That's why we're fan of Crafting Tree, a local Spokane Etsy outfit that, among other things, creates reusable zipper baggies. They're the perfect size for a sandwich or most anything else lunch-food related. 

Sturdily built, nice looking, lined with food safe nylon fabric... Clean with water or put them in the washer.

And at $10 a pop they're a steal. We're fans, and so should you be.