(SpoCOOL) A Spokane Blog

Update: The operations manager of the Yak e-mailed us the day after this was posted. The reason for the mild sauce was a lack of ghost peppers, which they had problems obtaining. The "Screamin' Demon" is now off the menu and won't be back until more ghost peppers arrive. That's good, as are her promises that it won't happen again, but I can't help but feel the wings should have been removed before a negative blog review was made public. C'est la vie, I suppose, and we'll be back as soon as the ghost peppers are.

Add this one to the "used to be good, so what the hell happened?" list.

The "Screamin' Demon" has for many been the contender for the wing-crown here in Spokane, and I, myself, have memories of struggling through a serving of them. They were hot, almost to an unpleasant level, and many of us paid dearly the next day for braving our way through them.

Then rumors started flowing. Words suggested things had changed. Whispers claimed declining spiciness levels.

Sadly, this one time, the rumors are true. The once might Screaming Yak wings have declined to something you'd expect from Pizza Hut on a good day.

The first issue was the mouthfeel. These were soggy wings, almost to the point where I was questioning if they actually were chicken. I have a distinct feeling they had been simmering in a base-sauce for multiple hours. Now granted, I'm all for chicken that easily comes off the bone, but it should also have a bite to it. These wings lacked the latter.

More importantly, they weren't even remotely spicy. I had it verified twice that we were, indeed, getting the "Screamin' Demons" yet we didn't break a sweat while eating them and I frankly wonder why anyone would have to sign a waiver to partake in the wing-eating contest at Screaming Yak.

Soggy chicken and minimal spices make the Screaming Yak a fallen star. I see little reason to visit the place for the wings alone.

So it has come to this, our third contest based on spicy foods: SpiceaWAR. Here fifteen people will compete against eachother through a number of challenges which probably will make their mouths cry, and one of these insane people could be you, if you sign up right now. But first, the details:

What: SpiceaWAR, a spicy food contest, and this time it's personal. 15 players; mano a mano; lots of adults crying. We're competing in speed, dexterity and endurance, and the winner will be crowned SpoCHAMPION.

When: Saturday, November 5th.

Who: A number of the Spiceavore alumni will be ready to fight again, and new faces have already signed up, including the namesake of our first spicy food contest, "Wing King, Baby!". That's right, the Wing King himself will be competing. Who else? Possibly you!

But you will have to sign up quickly, there are only two spots left open. Think you have what it takes? Think your mouth and stomach can take rounds and rounds of insanely spicy foods paired with other challenges? Sign up before it's too late!

Over the next months we'll also have regular meet-ups, where some local establishments will serve up spicy dishes and planning will take place over libations. More information will be posted at a later date, but the first meet-up, impromptu as it is, will take place this Sunday at Northern Lights. Time has yet to be set, but early evening has at least been decided on. Stop by if you're interested in competing, thinking up challenges or just want to hang out with likeminded spicy food aficionados.

For more information, feel free to e-mail team@spocool.com, but Google+ is where online planning and discussing already is taking place, and that's where we plan on keeping it. Send an e-mail to the aforementioned address if you want to be added to the conversation or if you'd like a Google+ invite.

And that's about it! SpiceaWAR is a go, and the world will never be the same after. At least not for those competing.

Now's a good time to check Picabu out, if you haven't been there lately. The South Hill bistro is running a "summer salad" special, which adds nine salads to their menu. There's also a "design your own salad" feature. Very cool, and worth checking out.

A couple of local food blogs have popped up over the last few months, including Dine in the 509 and Inland Northwest Eats. Check them out if you haven't; they're both linked in our blogroll at the bottom of this page.

The Liquor License Stalker reveals Eau de Vie is opening in Liberty Lake. Seeing the typical use of eau de vie, I couldn't help but hope for a good Cognac selection, until I noticed the application is for "beer/wine" only. Bummer.

Somebody told me it was summer, which, while a preposterous statement, still made me try another summer ale.

The Samuel Adams Summer is not a bad session ale, although nothing amazingly exciting either. That's OK, really. Most don't need something insanely kick-in-the-teeth amazing for their lake needs. Yet you don't want to look like a damn idiot with a six pack of Budweiser Chelada in tow either.

But I digress.

The Sam Adams pours a golden color with a bit of head, not throwing off overly exciting vibes. Refreshing looking, certainly, though a bit light, almost flirting with colors seen in the macrobrew world.

The nose is better. There are pretty strong hints of lemon and citrus, and you can detect a bit of the advertised wheat at the back.

And the wheat really does carry over to the flavor. This is a rather refreshing beer, with subtle hints of citrus and just a little spiciness laces the tongue. The mouthfeel is pretty good, almost creamy (rather surprisingly) and very smooth. Well carbonated.

So. Nothing exciting here, then, and for your standard summer needs I'd recommend Big Sky's Scape Goat over this. For something with a bit more kick, Deschutes Hop in the Dark is both complex and refreshing.

That's not to say I wouldn't recommend Sam Adams Summer Ale. It has its place, and probably should be vetted by any Better Taster looking for something simple and refreshing.