Beer Bar Feature: Manito Tap House

Despite craft beer becoming increasingly popular in the last 10 years and Spokane being the second largest city in Washington State, it's been a pretty sad state of affairs for good beer, here in the 509. However, this last year, Spokane has seen some major improvements as the beer scene has progressed by leaps and bounds each time I have made my inevitable return to Eastern Washington. Spokane's newest addition, Manito Taphouse, is certainly the most impressive and welcome addition to the local beer scene. Located in a very central spot of the South Hill, Manito Tap House is Spokane's premier gastropub. Sporting over 50 taps, most of them constantly rotating, there is no doubt that there is something for everyone on any given day! Within these fifty some odd taps there are an abundance of local, regional, and limited releases offered daily which is certainly impressive for any beer community, let alone Spokane's!

Less than half the taps are pictured; who would have thought that a view of the cold room could be such an impressive centerpiece (obviously the owners of MTH)!

 Their main focus aside from beer appears to be their dedication to being as "green" a restaurant as they can by taking simple yet necessary precautions to ensure they are doing their part. While their food menu is rather small in comparison to the tap list, they offer simplistic and quality items that have the potential to pair perfectly with your choice draft.

On my first visit, I was happy to see that the place was packed. New businesses need the communities support and I was glad that the MTH has been so well received. Despite the lunch crowd occupying the majority of the seating options, there was an open table and we made sure to quickly grab it. As I said, the menu is simple, but the focus is quality over quantity. Burgers, sandwiches, salads, and a nice variety of side options make up the bulk of the menu. Well, at least the lunch menu. I opted for the Grand Burger; a locally sourced all beef burger. Topped with smoked bacon, ale caramelized onions, & Rogue Creamery's Blue Cheese, this is essentially my ideal burger! For the accompaniment, I contemplated the mac & cheese, until I heard that the soup d'jour was beer & cheese...done deal. To pair with my meal, Firestone Walker's 14th Anniversary was the perfect choice. With decadent notes of dark chocolate, toffee, espresso, and oak layered upon one another this beer was certainly worth the dollar to ounce ratio that it retails for. I was certainly glad to be able to get a glass before the keg kicked!

The picture doesn't do the food justice, you'll just have to taste it for yourself!

 In both individual and overall aspects, I was thoroughly impressed by MTH. Beer wise, the selection is impressive and served in the appropriate glass at the proper temperature. The food was equally well executed. From the bun to the bacon, everything was as it should be. Not to mention, the beef they offer was incredibly fresh and flavorful while being cooked to exactly what I requested (medium rare, the proper burger preference). Finally, and always important when eating out, the service and vibe was enjoyable. The staff was friendly and attentive, without being bothersome (my typical complaint while dining in the states) even while the place was packed!As for the vibe, the design, layout, and decor is both beer-centric and comfortable. All in all, an excellent first experience, and I look forward to my next visit to the Manito Tap House. For those of you in/visiting the Spokane area, keep an eye on their facebook page as they constantly update their taplist with exciting new offerings. Cheers & Happy Holidays!