Handcrafted with the essences of huckleberries, Warrior Liquor’s Huckleberry Cream tastes fantastic without being too sweet. The huckleberry is Idaho’s official state fruit, and huckleberry-picking is among the most popular outdoor activities in the Inland Northwest. Both cream drinks feature 17% ABV and should be refrigerated after opening.

More importantly, these drinks are small batch, premium-crafted spirits from veteran-owned, Warrior Liquor. Beginning in December 2017, owners Rich and Mary Clemson converted a warehouse near the U-District into a distillery and started creating some of the most genius spirits in the area.

Even better, their on-site tasting room gives you the opportunity to connect with the ingredients, the craftsmanship, and the people that produce these Warrior Liquor flavors.

If you’re a fan of Reese’s peanut butter cups, then I highly recommend you add some Warrior Peanut Butter Cream to some hot cocoa next time you’re sitting around a campfire. You can thank me later.

Read more beverage reviews and recommendations in the Provisions archives.

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The huckleberry is Idaho’s official state fruit, and huckleberry-picking is among the most popular outdoor activities in the Inland Northwest in August. Following the success of their other ‘On The Fly’ beverages, it didn’t take long for Dry Fly to put together another fabulous new drink. The high-quality Dry Fly Vodka tastes great; however, the drink is only 4.9% ABV, which means its alcohol content is equal to most cans of craft beer.

Migrating the premium cocktail to an aluminum can opens up a whole new universe for outdoor enthusiasts. It’s easy to pack, no glass, very compact after its consumed, and aluminum is recyclable. Huckleberry Lemonade is ideal for pretty much every trip including picking huckleberries or enjoy it with friends at the lake or around the campfire. 

Take a look too at Dry Fly’s other genius drinks. Dry Fly ready-to-enjoy Gin & Tonic features its award-winning Washington Gin, craft tonic syrup from Side Hustle Syrups, and house made bitters. The Moscow Mule features Dry Fly Vodka, craft ginger syrup from Side Hustle Syrups, and lime juice to give you a unique and refreshing taste of what’s arguably the best distillery in the Northwest.

To read more beverage reviews and recommendations and reviews visit the OTO archives.

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• When you find a patch of berries, first check for bear scat and upturned rocks. 
• If you see a bear, slowly back away and leave the area; don’t run. 
• Avoid picking berries in the early mornings or late evenings when bears are more active.  
• Make noise. A bear bell works but talking loudly or singing is just as effective. Keep up conversation with your huckleberry-loving friends and family to pass the time and keep the bears aware of your presence. 
• Remain aware of your surroundings. Use your senses of sight, smell, and sound. 
• Assume every bear is a hangry mama. Do not get between a bear and berries, or between a female bear and her cubs. 
• Bring bear spray and know how to properly deploy it in case of an encounter with a charging bear. Keep spray easily accessible, but be sure kids do not play with it. Review online resources to learn how to use bear spray, including Bebearaware.org and online instructional videos from the National Park Service or Backpacker.com.  

Originally published as “Bears Love Berries: Be Bear Aware” in the April 2020 print issue.

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The mountain huckleberry is the most widely harvested western huckleberry, although the Inland Northwest region also sustains the dwarf and Cascade huckleberry. The easiest way to know for sure is to look for the little crown on the top like you see on a blueberry. 

Huckleberries love open and recently cleared areas, so places near logging roads or on open ski slopes are usually fruitful places to search. Dates of ripeness vary, but be ready to harvest in early July. Peak season is typically mid-July to early August. The huckleberry has resisted domestication, and because it lacks a centralized dense root system it doesn’t take much to damage a plant. Be gentle and stick to picking by hand. 

Mt. Spokane State Park and Priest Lake have some great picking, even at lower elevations. The Washington Trails Association also suggests the Salmo-Priest loop (Selkirks), Panjab Trail (Blue Mountains), and Kettle Crest South (Okanogan Highlands). Check out the WTA website for other options in the North Cascades and near the Columbia Gorge. Schweitzer Mountain Resort is also a great place to hunt for huckleberries; bring your own bucket and check Schweitzer.com for parking, hiking, and lift ride details. 

Foraging Tips

• Don’t wear shorts and sandals: your feet and legs will get scratched up. If there has been any rain whatsoever in the past 24 hours, the plants will still have water on them that will soak your clothing—so be prepared for that. 
• Wear a hat: Prevent sunburn and allow yourself to see without needing sunglasses to make it easier to find berries. 
• Use a hands-free container: I use a gallon milk jug with the top cut off and a strap that can go through the handle and hang off my neck or around my waist. My friend uses protein shake containers—with a small opening at the top, kids are less likely to spill that hard-earned bounty. I also bring gallon freezer bags, which pack small and can store berries once a jug is full. 
• Bug spray is a must: Gnats can ruin huckleberry picking on a beautiful day. If you use DEET, expect to eat it later in your berries, so consider natural repellant products. 
• Wear layers: You never know if it is going to be sweltering hot in the sun or cold from the clouds, shade, and breeze. 
• Bring snacks, water, sunscreen, toilet paper, and hand sanitizer. This last one will help in cleaning berry stains off fingers.

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