After a tireless campaign by both the FOR and AGAINST Washington’s Initiative 1183, Washington voters ultimately decided the fate of state run liquor stores with about 60% of them voting in favor to giving them the boot. Starting June 1, Costco and other stores will begin liquor sales as Washington State liquor stores transition out of the business, a business they have held a monopoly on and which laws have been relatively untouched since 1969, and before that, in 1934.

The initiative, largely backed by Washington-based Costco, will allow private retailers to sell spirits and in the coming months the state Liquor Control Board will start to sell its inventory and the Seattle distribution center and state-run liquor stores will be auctioned off.

This isn’t the first time Washingtonians have reached for privatization of liquor sales. In 1972, voters barely defeated Initiative 261 which would have privatized liquor sales and closed state-run outlets. In 2010, Initiatives 1100 and 1105, which both called for privatization, were both defeated at the polls.

For some good FOR and AGAINST opinions, check these blogs.

The highly anticipated release of Dry Fly Distilling Bourbon Whiskey has come and gone but for about 2 and a half more hours, you have the opportunity to purchase batch 1, barrel 1, bottle one of the 101 proof Washington bourbon. The bottle, which is being sold to benefit the Ronald McDonald House Charities Spokane and Casting 4 A Cure is currently at $2,225.

From the auction:

BATCH ONE, BARREL ONE, BOTTLE ONE … benefits Ronald McDonald House Charites Spokane

Dry Fly Bourbon Whiskey Master Distillers decided to do it at 101 proof. Typical bourbons are 80 proof. At 101 proof there’s 20 percent more alcohol and you get less out of a barrel and Dry Fly is very selective about what goes in those barrels.

For more information on this auction or to bid, click here. Time is running out!

The Washington State Liquor Control Board announced the tentative selection of ten farmers markets throughout Washington to participate in a pilot program allowing wine and beer tasting at the markets. “This pilot is another avenue for Washington’s breweries and wineries to educate customers about their products,” said Sharon Foster, WSLCB Chair. “Because farmers markets take place in a community setting, there are safeguards in place to ensure tastings are conducted with public safety in mind.”

The pilot program is a result of Substitute House Bill 1172, and is scheduled to run from September 1, 2011 to November 1, 2012. 47 wineries and 4 breweries qualified to participate, though only one brewery, microbrewery or winery may offer samples per day.

The selected farmers markets include:

• West Seattle Farmers Market – 4400 SW Alaska St in Seattle
• Magnolia Farmers Market – 2550 34th Ave W in Seattle
• Vancouver Farmers Market – 605 Esther St in Vancouver
• Everett Farmers Market, Inc. – 1600 W Marine View Drive in Everett
• Vashon Farmers Market – Village Green, 17511 Vashon Hwy S in Vashon
• Liberty Lake Farmers Market – 1421 N Meadowwood Ln in Liberty Lake
• Proctor Farmers Market – N 27th St, between Proctor and Madison in Tacoma
• Pasco Farmers Market – 4th and Columbia in Pasco
• Pike Place Market; Farmers Market – Pike Place, between Pine and Steward St in Seattle
• Wenatchee Valley Farmers Market – Columbia St between 1st and Palouse in Wenatchee

OLYMPIA — When Chinese President Hu Jintao visited the United States in January, the White House rolled out only the best. It turns out the best includes Washington wine.

This time of year, for those of us on the west side of the mountains — it’s nice to be able to open a bottle of wine and taste a bit of Eastern Washington sunshine.

Taken from Tri-City Herald and written by Chris Gregoire, governor of Washington since 2005.

When Ray Higginbotham, the winemaker and owner of E.B. Foote Winery, died of Alzheimer’s disease in 2008 and at the young age of 61 years old, his wife wanted to do something to continue his legacy and help others in similar situations. To raise money for Alzheimer’s research, Ray Higginbotham’s wife Sherrill created a Bordeaux-style blend in his memory called Remembrance, a 2007 vintage blend of 60% Cabernet, 30% Merlot, and 10% Cabernet Franc and has already won a list of awards to include a Gold Medal at San Francisco Wine Chronicle Competition. All in all, 800 cases will be sold for $12 per bottle or a case for $120 with 100% of the purchase price being donated to the Alzheimer’s Association for a total of $100,000 being donated and the labels proudly display Ray Higginbotham’s signature smile. With 300 cases left to be sold, Sherrill still needs some help to reach her goal of $100,000.

In addition to Remembrance, the E.B. Foote Winery has been put up for sale. For more information on how to help, the E.B. Foote Winery, or to purchase bottles of Remembrance, visit their website.

Washington has a state bird, a state gem, a state dance, even a state fossil, so what about a state beverage? Nope, no official state beverage. One woman, State Representative Barbara Bailey, is looking to change that. At the request of high school students in her district, Bailey sponsored House Bill 1715 which aims to make coffee the official state beverage of Washington.

The idea may seem strange, but if the bill passes, Washington will join 29 other states who rep an official state beverage, ranging from Kool-Aid to tomato juice. I must say I like where Alabama and California’s heads are at, with their state beverages being Conecuh Ridge Whiskey and wine, respectively.

But I find myself asking the question if coffee is the best representation of Washington? Seattle has been on the map for coffee ever since Starbucks opened their first location in 1971, but none of the coffee is grown in Washington. With 60% of the United State’s apple production coming from Washington, why not apple juice? With approximately 75% of the United State’s hop production coming from Washington, why not beer?

An excerpt from House Bill 1715:

The legislature finds that Washington is well known as the espresso capital of the country. The coffee industry is a vital part of the Washington state economy that provides jobs and morning motivation for many state citizens.

Morning motivation – I like that. Best of luck Washingtonians.

Recently, a handful of Washington State’s wine pioneers have converged on a single project; a new winery with familiar faces called Den Hoed. It should come as no surprise to learn that long time Washington wine mogul Allen Shoop is involved; the founder of Longshadows Vintners where he brings together several of the world’s leading winemakers, Shoop is no stranger to high profile collaboratives. Conspiring with Shoop on this project is Longshadows winemaker, and his own right hand man in a way, Gilles Nicault.
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This amazingly well done photograph of Elysian’s Mens Room Red by Mutineer Director of Photography Ian Andreae will be the first of many photo blog entries to come here on the Mutineer blog. There won’t be much to read, just some great photos to look at. Continue Reading »