There’s a magical quality to the quiet season in my Bavarian village of Leavenworth, Washington. After a fall and early winter of weekend celebrations that filled our cobblestone streets with visitors from around the world who came to dance the chicken dance during Oktoberfest and drink mulled spiced wine while shopping at the Christmas markets, we finally had a brief reprieve. Don’t get me wrong, I enjoy the bustle of crowds and the fact that our alpine town is a beloved family getaway and holiday tradition for so many. But, when running a small brewery it was a challenge to keep the beer flowing. When I took the job as co-brewer at Nitro nearly a year ago, I had never imagined that we would constantly have to worry about keeping the kegs stocked. In fact, if anything I had worried that we might have kegs that sat for weeks on end. Most beer, unlike wine, does not improve with age. The fresh hop aromas that are so critical to experiencing a craft beer at its peak freshness go stale when a keg sits for too long. The good news was that all of our kegs were empty.
That meant that Garrett Strong, my brewing partner, and I were going to be spending the snowy January afternoons brewing up a new line of winter beers. I wanted to create a bright winter ale with notes of pine and citrus, along with a rich dark chocolate stout finished with toasted coconut and a hint of coffee. One of my favorite things about working in the nano brewery was pairing our beverage line with handcrafted food. We had recently transformed the upper floors of the building into guest rooms. Everyone who would stay with us would receive complimentary beer tastings, personalized brewery tours, and a hearty German breakfast, made by yours truly. While the snow piled up outside, I dreamed of recipes for stuffed French toast filled with cream cheese and berries soaked in our chocolate stout and hot-from-the-oven pretzels served with winter ale cheese and mustard sauce.
Living in a village that is the closest thing to actually traveling to Bavaria has its perks when it comes to food and jaw-dropping views of the surrounding mountains. While the October through December brought droves of tourists to town for our weekend festivals, January and February tended to entice outdoor adventures who came to the Northern Cascades to ski and snowboard or cozy up in front of the fireplace with a winter warmer and a slice of German chocolate cake.
I felt an eager excitement knowing that we were going to use the time to brew up a storm and offer a soft opening of our beer-themed guest rooms. We had designed each room with the four simple ingredients involved in brewing the perfect pint—water, hops, grain, and yeast. Our first beer travelers were a young couple visiting for an anniversary celebration. They were avid skiers who were looking forward to spending the cold winter days on Leavenworth’s Ski Hill. In between steeping boiling grains, I made sure all of the finishing touches were done in the guest suites. That included little packets of dried hops hidden beneath the pillows. Hops are a natural relaxant. Breathing in the aroma has been known to help induce sleep. Along with the hops, each room was outfitted with luxurious bath robes, towels, and linens. We had turned a small library upstairs into the breakfast area, complete with tea and coffee service, pastries, and plenty of reading material.
Fingers crossed, the space should be a romantic escape. We were counting on the extra revenue the guest rooms would bring in to help expand our brewing operations. Plus, hotel rooms and cabins were always in high demand. If we could work out any kinks between now and Maifest, the next big street party that would bring thousands of people to the village, we should be in good shape for a busy summer season.
That was the thought I held onto with high hopes as I invited in our first guests. Only, I had no idea that things were about to take an unexpected turn. Instead of brewing up a storm, a blizzard descended on our remote high mountains cutting us off from the outside world. Our first guests were going to get a longer stay than they or any of us had imagined, and to make matters worse one of them was about to end up dead.
Without A Brew is the fourth book in the “Sloan Kraus” cozy mystery series, released November 10, 2020.
Amateur sleuth Sloan Krause delves into a murderous winter wonderland.
It’s winter in the Bavarian village of Leavenworth, Washington, which for local brewmaster Sloan Krause means lots of layers, pine and citrus-flavored craft beers, and getting the new guest rooms at Nitro into pristine condition before visitors flood in for IceFest—a local tradition filled with fireworks, ice carving, and winter games of all varieties. But Sloan and her boss Garrett quickly learn that being brewkeepers turned innkeepers may not be as idyllic as it sounded.
While one couple staying with them seems completely smitten, a flashy group arrives in the evening demanding rooms. Sloan and Garrett are less than impressed, but agree to rent to them anyway. The night takes a turn when brewery patron Liv Paxton finishes her frothy pint and, with no previous plan for an overnight stay in Leavenworth, eagerly takes Sloan up on the offer of sanctuary from the snow—until she has a strange run in with some locals and the other guests. Sloan could be imagining things, but when Liv’s room is found trashed the next morning, a hateful message painted on her car, and Liv herself is nowhere to be found, Sloan is convinced another mystery is brewing. With many of the potential suspects hunkering down under Nitro’s roof, she knows her co-workers and friends won’t be safe until she serves up the killer a hoppy pint of justice.
About the author
Ellie Alexander is a Pacific Northwest native. Her love for the Pacific Northwest runs deep. Hence why all of her books are set here. From the Shakespearean hamlet of Ashland, Oregon to the Bavarian village of Leavenworth, Washington the Pacific Northwest is a backdrop for every book and almost becomes another character in each series. When not writing, you can find her testing pastry recipes in her home kitchen or at one of the many famed coffeehouse or brewpubs nearby. You’ll also find her outside exploring hiking trails and trying to burn off calories consumed in the name of “research”.
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Ellie has generously offered to give away one print and signed copy of Without A Brew. To enter, please leave a comment below. One entry per person and the giveaway is limited to U.S. residents only. Giveaway ends November 16, 2020. Good luck everyone!
All comments are welcomed.
Nice cover. It sounds like a really interesting book. Thank you for sharing.
I like the sound of this book featuring a murder mystery, beer and a winter wonderland at an Icefest. I’m German so beer is in my history. Never read any books by this author. But would love to try this book out. Thanks for a chance to win.
You’ll have to let me know if you try it, and cheers to your German heritage!
Count me in for this giveaway…
Thank you!@
Without a Brew sounds like a wonderful cozy read, and I know I’ll enjoy reading about the microbrewed beers. Now if I only had some stuffed french toast …
We all need stuffed French toast this weekend. 😉
I really like this series
This is an amazing series. I highly recommend it. Love the German atmosphere, the food, and learning about beer brewing.
I’m so happy to hear that you’re enjoying it and there’s more Bavarian fun to come!
I’ve been avidly following Sloan and her family travails!
Yay! She has a lot to uncover about her family’s past!
I love this series. One of these days I’m going to visit Leavenworth.
Yes, when it’s safe to travel again, Leavenworth is a must-see!
Very nice cover. Thanks for the chance. The blurb sounds good.
Wow! I’d love a copy, thank you for the chance. Such a good sounding story. Thank you.
Sounds good! Thanks for the chance to win this!
Sounds like a fascinating plot. My daughter has been to Leavenworth Washington for their German Festival. It would be neat to read a book set in this town.
I love that your daughter has a connection to Leavenworth! It’s such a magical place!
I enjoyed the first 3 books in this series. I’m looking forward to reading Without a Brew. Thanks so much for the chance to win a print copy. Keeping my fingers crossed!
Crossing my fingers too!
I love this series…Sloan is such a great character! Thanks for the chance to win a copy of the book.
This series is HIGH on my Christmas wish list!!! I’m dying to read all about Sloan and and her adventures! Thank you for the chance to win a copy!!!
This series is at the TOP of my christmas wish list!! I cannot wait to meet sloan and read all about her adventures!! Thank you for a chance to win this book!!!
Sounds great
Unexpected guests, oh my! I would love to read this book!
Congrats on the new release! Sounds like a fun mystery.
I love Leavenworth! Can’t wait to check out this series!
Congratulations on the new release! Thanks for this opportunity.
I love this series!! Hot from the oven pretzels!!! YES!! Thanks for the chance to win!
Thank you for this chance to win.
I’ve visited Leavenworth; it’s a cute place and should make a great setting.
I had to move away from the Pacific Northwest a few years ago. This book sounds like it would really hit the spot with the setting and the brews. *sqeezes eyes shut and starts clicking my heels* There’s no place like home. There’s no place like home…
Yes please Dru, I’d love a chance to win this book. Please toss my name into the Magic Contest Hat.
This would be a new series, and I really like the setting.
**** WINNER ****
Without a Brew is Linda MH
Congratulations!
Love all your books. Have share them with my family and friends. I just move to Medford, Oregon a few years ago. Thank you!