Attention 2009 Mug Club Members and potential 2010 Members!!

Don't forget 2009 Mug Club Members have only until 11:59 PM on New Year's Eve to renew their mug numbers for the next year otherwise there number goes up for sale!!
The 2010 Mug Club sales kicked off on Tuesday, December 1. 25 new mug numbers were available for sale and sold out that same day. On January 1, 2010, at 11:00 AM all mugs not renewed will go up for sale to the general public.The price for the mugs is $85.00, and enables mug holders to get a 21.5 oz beer for the price of a pint, as well as be eligible to win in the monthly t-shirt drawing. The glass mugs have been imported from Germany this year, and each one is engraved with the Fort George logo and the mug holder's number.
The Fort George Brewery is located at 1483 Duane St in Astoria, OR. Call 503-325-PINT for more information.


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Indian Cuisine and IPA Pairing Dinner Wed. Jan. 13th

Our Indian Cuisine and IPA Pairing Dinner will be on Wed. Jan. 13th. Below you can view the menu. All brewer's dinners will be held on the second Wednesday of every month and start at 6:00 P.M. $55.00 will buy you five courses of food with beer to match each course; this price includes gratuity. A $5.00 per person discount will apply for anyone who purchases two or more tickets and reservations are required. Limited seating and spots are already filling fast so call 503-325-PINT for reservations and more info.

Indian Cuisine and I.P.A Pairing dinner

Wednesday, January 13th, 2010


Tiffin

Spinach and Feta Naan
Indian Style Flat Bread Served with Saffron Infused Olive Oil.

Green Flash Brewing Company – West Coast IPA:


Lamb Kofta
Spicy Lamb Meatballs with Tamarind Puree.

Fort George Brewery – Vortex:

Tamatar Shorba
Chicken Broth Spiced with Garam Masala and Ginger.

Russian River Brewing Co. – Pliny the Elder:


MAIN COURSE

Quail Masala
Quail Marinated in Almonds, Chili Powder, Ginger, Stuffed with Rice and Wrapped in Banana Leaves, Served with Curried Peas.

Bear Republic Brewing Co. – Racer X:

DESSERT

Rossogollas
Sweet Milk Dumplings Stuffed with Pistachios

Avery Brewing Co. – Maharaja:

Jesse Lee Falls and the Function

Sunday, January 3rd
8pm No Cover
Fort George Brewery
1483 Duane St. Astoria
www.jesseleefalls.com



The Function's songwriting is reminiscent of early 70's Funk bands like Earth,Wind and Fire and Tower of Power but has a refreshingly modern appeal like Jamiroquai and The Red Hot Chili Peppers. For the past year The Function has been performing their original music all over Northern California, Oregon and Washington. They have played venues like Jazzbones Tacoma, Mcmenamin's, Portland,The Caspar Inn, Mendocino, and The Green Spot, Coos Bay. In that short time The Function has had the honor of sharing the stage with Bay Area Legends Country Joe McDonald, & Lydia Pense & Cold Blood. The Function is Jesse Lee Falls (guitar, vocals), Jacob Graichen (trumpet,vocals), Calen Uhlig (Bass) and Josh Corry (drums). Jesse Lee Falls & The Function are touring to promote Jesse's album One Step. In August of 2009, The Function began recording their new album at Paradise studios in Sacramento, CA with Craig Long and Kirt Shearer.






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FortGeorgeBrewery.com



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Havilah

Sunday, December 27th
8pm No Cover
Fort George Brewery
1483 Duane St.-Astoria



Havilah is a force of nature who sings with soulful passion reminiscent of Joan Armatrading, Nina Simone and Rickie Lee Jones. Her songs are written straight from the heart and capture the listener with an authenticity that is poetic yet undeniably true. Her fourth release “Bengalese Butterflies” is a culmination of seven years worth of heartbreak, world travels, career changes and new beginnings. After a year of traveling Europe where she entertained Romanian cowboys, Irish pubs and flamenco bar audiences alike, Havilah re-located to Austin, TX where she has become a fast fixture among a vibrant community of singer songwriters. Her frequent performances at legendary venues such as The Saxon Pub have built her a substantial local following as well as national recognition. Her song “All Night” will be featured in the upcoming film “Leading Ladies” and her spellbinding voice and melodies have already won her several finalist positions in regional songwriting competitions. Havilah will be touring Washington and Oregon during the month of December. Catch Havilah while she is still playing at the Fort George Brewery and Public House as she is certainly poised for great success and recognition in the near future!! Havilah performs on Sunday, December 27th at 8pm. There is no cover charge.


To learn more about Havilah check out www.havilahmusic.com

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The Taste of Astoria Dec. 10th

Class M Planets (thebrotheregg)

Sunday, December 13th
8pm No Cover
Fort George Brewery
1483 Duane St.-Astoria


Class M Planets is a stripped down acoustic version of Portland's, thebrotheregg, an under-the-radar, eclectic-minded, "outpop" rock group with a greater emphasis on hearing the words of the songs and with general subtlety of acoustic music and casio keyboards in general. The big band thebrotheregg has called Portland home for some 10+ years and has performed sporadically throughout the years, sharing the stage with such greats as The Decemberists, Helio Sequence, June of 44, the Handsome Family, and Black Heart Procession to name a few. As a consequence, Class M Planets is a pure extraction of the folkier and popier elements of thebrotheregg, delivered with clear and audible vocals and charm.

thebrotheregg project is a continuous inquiry into sound and emotional goo which appeals frantically to sources both earthly and otherwise. In 1992, they contributed the song, "Utopia" to a split 7" record and that offering marked the band's humble origins. 4 full-length albums and hundreds of gigs later, thebrotheregg continue to donate engaging and constantly exploding out pop music to the grand murk of rock.

Class M Planets perform at the Fort George brewery and Public House on Sunday, December 13th at 8pm. There is no cover.

Rollerball

Sunday, December 6th
8pm No Cover
Fort George Brewery
1483 Duane St.-Astoria
www.myspace.com/rllrbll
www.fortgeorgebrewery.com

Fourteen albums in and fifteen years deep, Rollerball, bring their outward bound song structures laced with dark jazz and noise funk back to the US via Portland label, North Pole Records. A living / breathing recording ethic, five European tours, constant West Coast presence, and underground credincals that can’t be beat, Rollerball, is an established institution influencing what bands sound like in Portland, Oregon and throughout the world. Two Feathers is Rollerball’s first domestic release since 2005’s Catholic Paws/Catholic Pause. The past two albums, Rollerball and Ahura were available only on avant super label, Wallace Records based in Italy, a country that has long championed Rollerball.
The rhythm section, Gilles on drums and Monte Trent Allen on bass, drop extended deep grooves and lock-step rhythm changes, anchoring Two Feathers‘ sound with wizened authority and practiced ability. Amidst layers of intriguing percussion, electronic murk, and the damp acoustic hollowness of Amanda Mason Wiles’ saxophone poetry, Mae Starr weaves intricate and inventive keyboard magic. Her fingers swallowed by rings that stream up and pounce down the keyboard, evoking powerful vocalists like PJ Harvey or June Tyson, and casting spells over a rapt audience.

Hard to describe and impossible to pin down, Rollerball, has been praised throughout their storied career by The Wire, Pitchfork, Brainwashed, Blow Up, Fake Jazz, The Oregonian, Terrascope, Mercury, Stranger, etc., and played on radio stations around the world. They have released music on Roadcone, Cochon, Silber, Jalopy Grotto, Nillacat, Pacific Wonderland, and Felina y magia in the States and Bar la muerte, Wallace, and Hysm in Italy. Rollerball has been compared to Sun Ra, New Order, Cereberus Shoal, JOMF, Califone, and Can.

Two Feathers is packaged as an LP with CD/DVD included or as a gatefold CD/DVD card wallet. The DVD includes music videos from the nineties and into the new millenium, as well as, The Three Brunos, a film by Starbage Hands featuring tour footage and performances by Rollerball, OVO, and Ronin in Italy and Slovenia in 2005. Long time saxophone collaborator, Jacopo Andreini (L’enfants Rouge, Squarcicatrici), performs throughout the DVD. The CD also features Scott Rosenberg (Pink Mountain) on saxophone.

Rollerball rolls back to Astoria's Fort George Brewery and Public House with their newest album Two Feathers on Sunday, December 5th at 8pm. The performance is all ages and there is no cover charge.



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Belgian Brewer's Dinner Wed. Dec. 9th

Our Belgian Brewer's Dinner will be on Wed. Dec. 9th. Below you can view the menu. All brewer's dinners will be held on the second Wednesday of every month and start at 6:00 P.M. $55.00 will buy you five courses of food with beer to match each course; this price includes gratuity. A $5.00 per person discount will apply for anyone who purchases two or more tickets and reservations are required. There is only a few spots left so call 503-325-PINT for reservations and more info.

Belgian Ale Dinner

Wednesday, December 9th 2009


Intro

A Trio of Cured Salmon: Cold Smoked, Lox, and Pickled Served with Toast Points and Salmon Roe

Upright Brewing Co. – Five


Salad

Pan Seared Rock Fish Cheeks Served with Wilted Spinach, Dried Apricots, Chevre and a Sherry Vinaigrette

Abbaye Notre Dame De Scourmont – Chimay PremiËre


Soup

Mussels Steamed with Smoked Sardines, Fennel and Ouzo

Brouwerij Huyghe – Delirium Tremens


MAIN COURSE

Whole Dungeness Crab and Lemon Ginger Infused Butter

Unibroue – La Fin Du Monde


DESSERT

Bada Bing Cherry Belgian Stout Chocolate Mousse with a Tuille Cookie

Fort George Brewery – Bada Bing Cherry Belgian Stout

2010 Mug Club

The 2010 Mug Club sales kick off on Tuesday, December 1, at 11am at the Fort George Brewery. 25 new mug numbers are available for sale, and existing members will be given the opportunity to renew their mug numbers for the next year. The price for the mugs are $85.00, and enables mug holders to get a 21.5 oz beer for the price of a pint, as well as be eligible to win in the monthly t-shirt drawing. The glass mugs have been imported from Germany this year, and each one is engraved with the Fort George logo and the mug holder's number. Numbers 151-175 are open to the public to buy; current members have until December 31 to renew their ownership. On January 1, 2010, all mugs not renewed will go for sale to the general public.
The Fort George Brewery is located at 1483 Duane St in Astoria, OR. Call 503-325-PINT for more information.

The Catillacs

Sunday, November 29th
8pm No Cover
Fort George Brewery
1483 Duane St. Astoria
www.thecatillacs.com

The Catillacs are a great party band- they've got a fun, rockabilly vibe... yet it doesn't just stop there. They are rounded out by thoughtful lyrics and tasteful musical arrangements too. They're also one of the most professional and courteous bands out there. I love the Catillacs!
---Lisa Mann

The Catillacs are set to play the Fort George Brewery and Public House on Sunday, November 29th. They play a variety of vintage style American music including rockabilly, rock-n-roll classics, blues, & country.

The band was started in early '07 by singer/guitarist Richie "King Juju" Bean. It was conceived as a rockabilly trio, and included drummer Susan Costa and bassist George Burton. This lineup stayed solid and worked steadily, blossoming into a unit that could also cover blues, classic rock, classic country, oldies, and originals. They released the award winning CD "Meow Mix" in August of '08 and garnered radio play all over the US on indie stations and podcasts. Costa left the band a year later. The drum seat was passed to veteran Portland stickman Terry Smith. Keyboardist Leon Holder joined at the same time to complete the lineup.

Richie "King Juju" Bean is a veteran of the Portland blues scene for over 20 years. He played guitar and sung with Roseland Blues Band, Hudson Rocket, and the King Juju Trio. He plays lead, rhythm, acoustic, and slide guitars with his nails, preferring vintage instruments and small tube amps. Richie lives with his wife and daughter in La Center Washington.

George "Mr. Martini" Burton is the youngest member of the band, yet at 26 is often invited to jam with such luminaries as Jim Mesi, Steve Bradly, Curtis Salgado and many other major Portland bluesmen. George has studied bass and theory under journeyman bassist Timmer Blakely for many years and builds hotrods in his spare time. George plays a Fender Jazz Bass hand pinstriped by the famous striper Mitch Kim.The show starts at 8pm and there is no cover.







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Doseywallips

Sunday, November 22nd
8pm No Cover
Fort George Brewery
1483 Duane St.-Astoria

The Doseywallips will bring their three piece band to the Fort George Brewery and Public House on Sunday, November 22nd. After the original lineup imploded in 1998, members were scattered about the greater Seattle area and as far as the suburban wastelands of Ohio. Mr. Rogers, guitarists for the Doseywallips, wandered aimlessly for a decade, biding his time until, in the spring of 2008 the stars aligned, and reunification was at hand. With Robert McConaughy back at his rightful place behind the kit, and the addition of Pete Pearson in command of low end duties, Mr. Rogers took the helm to steer an unwavering course on a mission to deliver a barrage of garage pop sounds to all. The music starts at 8pm and is free of charge.


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AstoriaHideouts.com

Brownsmead Flats & Brownsmead Calendar Release Party

Thursday, November 19th
6:00pm No Cover
Fort George Brewery
1483 Duane St.-Astoria
(503)325-PINT


Spend your Thursday evening enjoying live music by the Brownsmead Flats at the Brownsmead Calendar release party at the Fort George Brewery and Public House on November 19th. The history of the Brownsmead calendar goes way back. It involves the multi-generational history of the famed 'Brownsmead boys', as well references to geography and time. Geographically 'way back' has been identified as half-way between Astoria and Clatskanie. To be clear, it must be said that geographically the Brownsmead calendar has a connection to the community of Brownsmead. The Brownsmead Boys hold to the premise that Brownsmead is the center of the universe! To clarify, while the sun may be the center of the solar system, it is a closely guarded secret that, in fact, Brownsmead may actually be the center of the universe! Our solar system may be off center in the cosmos, so it remains a distinct reality that Brownsmead may be the actual center of the universe! But again to clarify things, we are not referring only to a geographical location, but also time in the usage of the reference of 'way back'.

In reference to time, 'way back' refers to the founding of what's known as the 'Brownsmead Boys". In 1967 or so, Ray Raihala designed a suitable logo for T-shirts and sweatshirts. This was enough formality to recognize a semi-loose affiliation, for what has become known as the "Brownsmead Boys." Like any fraternal association the Brownsmead Boys aspire to the highest ideals. Far beyond the normal garden-variety fraternal ideals lies the greatest ideal, for the Brownsmead Boys this is the ideal of "having a good time", and so this ideal of "having a good time" is the glue that keeps the Brownsmead Boys together. While this may involve seemingly simple activities like waterskiing and drinking beer, that is only a scratch on the surface of the meaning of it all. Deep down inside in the heart and mind of a Brownsmead boy is a sophisticated amalgamation of good thoughts and intentions that are being meditated upon.

Fast forwarding through time and space, young Matti Raihala and young Dirk Rohne embarked upon the sacred rights of becoming a Brownsead Boy. Such rites of passage must be embarked and reflected upon, like jumping off the Blind Slough Bridge, for instance. Matti and Dirk used every opportunity and avenue of creativity a public school system could offer to express the greatness of Brownsmead and the adventures and experiences that could be found there. Having a separate geo-physical landscape and cultural heritage the village children in Knappa just didn't know what to make of the stories of the Brownsmead Boys. Some were amused, some were confused, and in time some became downright hostile when hearing about how fantastic Brownsmead really was. But the truth, no matter how inconvenient, remains.

And so, after travelling the world and verifying what we already knew, we verified the fact that Brownsmead in its own right must be some sort of world heritage site. But instead of a United Nations designation we have settled for a yearly calendar. So, the Brownsmead calendar was born. Every year, since 2001, Dirk has worked with whomever he could find to gather images of the past and present of Brownsmead, to share the goodness of Brownsmead, in the time honored tradition of the 'Brownsmead Boy'. It's also a fund-raiser for the Brownsmead Grange, now that's a nice touch. So join Brownsmead's premier folk band, the Brownsmead Flats on November 19th from 6-8pm at the Fort George for the 2010 Brownsmead Calendar release party! Just $15 dollars takes a Brownsmead Calendar home, with the proceeds going to help with the up-keep of the Brownsmead grange. Good music for a good cause, for a good 2010 Brownsmead Calendar!

Kites and Crows

Sunday, November 14th
8pm No Cover
Fort George Brewery
1483 Duane St.-Astoria


Kites and Crows return to the Fort George Brewery and Public House on Sunday, November 14th at 8pm. Ashland, OR is home to the country's largest repertory theatre, the Oregon Shakespeare Festival. Within the large company's wealth of members, emerges an indie folk band called Kites & Crows. The name KITES & CROWS, actually, is inspired from the Oregon Shakepseare Festival's 2008 production of Coriolanus, where the recently banished battle hero is hiding out "...under the canopy...in the city of kites and crows..." He was joined by multi - instrumentalist ( accordion, banjo, mandolin, lapsteel) Jesse Baldwin in July 2008. The two musicians met at the Oregon Shakespeare Festival where Mysha is a stagehand and Jesse is a lighting technician.

Kites and Crows toured the NW in the Fall of 2008 and upon returning to Ashland, they were joined by Bryan Helfrich ( from ONE HORSE SHY) on drums and Kabir Stanton on Bass. The troupe recently released a debut ep album called Passenger. With the image of a Columbia river sternwheeler on the cover, the songs display a sense of navigation, vintage images and a longing to be vividly sincere. Tour dates, music and more information can be found online at www.myspace.com/kitescrows


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Bruce Smith and Boda Boys

Sunday, Nov 8th
8pm No Cover
Fort George Brewery
1483 Duane St.
www.brucesmithmusic.com

Southwest meets Northwest: Texas native Bruce Thomas Smith plays Original “Transplant Rock” (TM), You know, Guitar in the driver seat and a story teller in the back, top down, cruisin’ just below the speed-limit, open highway, and tons of fresh scenery. Bruce Smith brings his trio to the Fort George Brewery and Public House on Sunday, November 8th at 8pm.

Holiday Ale Brewer's Dinner

The Holiday Ale Brewer's Dinner will be on Wed. Nov. 11th. Below you can view the menu. All brewer's dinners will be held on the second Wednesday of every month and start at 6:00 P.M. $55.00 will buy you five courses of food with beer to match each course; this price includes gratuity. A $5.00 per person discount will apply for anyone who purchases two or more tickets and reservations are required. Call 503-325-PINT for reservations and more info.

Holiday Ale Dinner
Wednesday, November 11th 2009

Intro
Ham and Prawn Croquette
Alaskan Brewing Co. – Winter Spruce Tip Ale

Salad
Roasted Delicota Squash and Bell Peppers on a Bed of Spinach with a Balsamic Vinaigrette and Parmesan Cheese
Sierra Nevada Brewing Co. – Celebration Ale

Soup
Yukon Gold and Parsnip Bisque with Creamed Leaks and a Blue Schorcher Crostini
Oakshire Brewing Co. – Ill Tempered Gnome

MAIN COURSE
Horseradish Encrusted Maple Leaf Duck Breast with Roasted Garlic Mashed Potatoes, Creamed Spinach and Reduction of Duck Stock with Cherries
Fort George Brewery – North III Tripple

DESSERT
Ginger, Pumpkin and Molasses Cheesecake
Bison Brewing Co. – Gingerbread Ale

North III Trippel

Belgian Style Trippel
Brewed strong, bold and sweet with honey malt and maple syrup, then fermented with our jolliest Belgian yeast this beer then rests in the bright tank with 60 pounds of finely chopped sugar plumbs until the elves can wait no more. The resulting elixir arrives onyx in hue with hints of oak and spice and a rich, complex cornucopia of cheer for your palate. This is a fruitcake that won't get tossed.
OG 1.084. TG 1.018. abv 8.8%.
I.H.U's (international holiday units) 99

The Blair Street Mugwumps

Sunday, Nov 1st
8pm No Cover
Fort George Brewery
1483 Duane St.-Astoria
www/myspace.com/theeblairstmugwumps

From Eugene, Oregon, The Blair St. Mugwumps are bringing their back porch stompin hokum jug band blues to Astoria.
They are self-described as “ruckussy, raunchy and rooted in the Southern dirt” musicians. On uke, banjo uke, banjo, jug-a-phone, duck call, harmonica, kazoo is Reverend Jazzbo Pappy Hamhock, on washboard, kazoo, whistlin is Jobydiah Grizwald "5 Ball" Hudson III, on musical saw and ukulele is Darlin Clementine, on resoponic guitar is Hollywood "Creamy" Sanchez and introducing on washtub bass, Imelda "Cookie" Lamour. The Blair Street Mugwumps are folding their tents after almost four years, lot's of hangovers and several changes in personnel, they are preparing for their final curtain call and the Fort George Brewery is second to last on their tour. Don't miss their playful stage presence and good old time blues this Sunday, Novemebr 1st. The show is at 8pm and there will be no cover.

Come Celebrate Halloween at the Fort George Hellorium!!!

The Blair Street Mugwumps

The Blair Street Mugwumps
Sunday, Nov 1st
8pm No Cover
Fort George Brewery
1483 Duane St.-Astoria
www/myspace.com/theeblairstmugwumps

From Eugene, Oregon, The Blair St. Mugwumps are bringing their back porch stompin hokum jug band blues to Astoria.
They are self-described as “ruckussy, raunchy and rooted in the Southern dirt” musicians. On uke, banjo uke, banjo, jug-a-phone, duck call, harmonica, kazoo is Reverend Jazzbo Pappy Hamhock, on washboard, kazoo, whistlin is Jobydiah Grizwald "5 Ball" Hudson III, on musical saw and ukulele is Darlin Clementine, on resoponic guitar is Hollywood "Creamy" Sanchez and introducing on washtub bass, Imelda "Cookie" Lamour. The Blair Street Mugwumps are folding their tents after almost four years, lot's of hangovers and several changes in personnel, they are preparing for their final curtain call and the Fort George Brewery is second to last on their tour. Don't miss their playful stage presence and good old time blues this Sunday, Novemebr 1st. The show is at 8pm and there will be no cover.

Lumberyard Grill Brewers Dinner Nov. 12th

Here is the Menu for the Brewers Dinner featuring Fort George on Nov 12th at the Lumberyard Grill in Cannon Beach, OR. For more information visit their website at http://www.lumberyardgrill.com

Hillfolk Noir

Hillfolk Noir
Sunday, October 25th
8pm No Cover
Fort George Brewery
1483 Duane St.-Astoria
http://www.myspace.com/hillfolknoir


"Whether its the tolling bells of deathbed fevers, the loping swagger of a stranger in town walking down mainstreet as every gunslinger in town stops and stares, or the wagon trains of woe rolling past desolate, arid, landscapes on a breeze of radiation, Ward and his Hillfolkers flow through the last wisps of a world gone very wrong for the protagonist with crooked, receding grins at reapers grim and eager as they transcend the alt.country hokum with a full-tilt-off-kilter medicine show of captivating enchantment that should diffuse beyond the canyons, badlands and sad-swaying hillsides of Idaho."

-Medicine Stu, Maverick Magazine



Hillfolk Noir of Boise, Idaho returns to the Fort George Brewery and Public House on Sunday, October 25th. Travis Ward formed the band in the late 90's playing shows and selling low budget recordings under the name Travis Ward and Junkyard Bandstand. Soon a full time band was formed that toured the North West several times and sold a couple thousand self produced albums. After the Junkyard Bandstand rhythm section moved from Boise to Oregon in search of cheaper groceries, Travis formed a new group.

Hillfolk Noir still plays the old songs, but has a much more reckless sound and more new material than they know what to do with. They've played shows with James McMurtry, Built to Spill, Bonnie Prince Billy, Gerald Collier, Heroes and Villains, Train, Jesse Dayton, the Dusty 45's, Neva Denova, Neko Case, and tons of other great acts that you may or may not have heard of.

Hillfolk Noir recorded the foundation of their new album Diggin' Songs live in a generous friend's tiny North End house. With their amps in closets, drums next to the woodstove, singers in bathrooms, and microphones in every unoccupied corner, the four piece band breathed life into the songs and the characters that meander through them. The production continued in an even tinier garden shack, complete with egg crate soundproofing and a large spider population. With the dark theme of "Digging," these recordings wander out of the sage covered hills through beatnik juke joints, Appalachian swamp shacks, and psychedelic deltas. Exhausted and proud of the finished product, Hillfolk Noir humbly invites you to come into the fog and let your eyes roll back.

Hillfolk Noir's song "Johhny's Last Run" is available on the Flying M's "Coffee Garage Rock" comp. A great compilation of bands including; the Invasion, the Very Most, Paleo, Universal, and tons of others. Hillfolk Noir's song "The Great Grizzly Bear Scare" is available on Tender Loving Empire Records comp-"Friends and Friends of Friends. Another great compilation featuring lots of NW bands.

Marta live at 8 pm

Sunday, October 18th
8pm No Cover
Fort George Brewery
1483 Duane St. -Astoria
www.fortgeorgebrewery.com
www.musicbymarta.com


Originally from Lublin, Poland, singer songwriter Marta Pacek tours to the Northwest and stops at the Fort George Brewery and Public House on Sunday, October 18th. She was born in Poland during the period of Soviet communist dominance in the early 80's. Her mother, a singer in a rock band and her father an engineer straight out of the Polish army immigrated to Australia where they dreamt of a better life in a counrty where their children could have the opportunity for a brilliant and free life.

Growing up in the 90's in the capitol of Australia Canberra, in a moderately poor household lead Marta to rummage through her parents old vinyl records when half the world was already listening to cd's.

As a restless teen, who struggled with her identity as an Australian immigrant and various religious and cultural confliicts with her catholic parents, Marta found comfort in folk singer songwriters who expressed similair themes of loneliness, sorrow and disenchantment. Artists such as Joni Mitchell, Johnny Cash, Tim Buckley, Leonard Cohen, Tom Waits and Bob Dylan were of high interest. Her obsession with narrative songwriters extended into bands Fleetwood Mack, Traveling Wilburys and The Pretenders who melded pop sensibility nto their folksy tales.

By the time Marta had reached her late teens she had been affected by Australian bands INXS, Crowded House The Divynals and Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds. Marta has said, "I admired all types of artists: wordsmiths, writers poets, painters, sculpters, screenwriters and of course songwriters., any one who had the courage to say something in a unique way..."

Marta's sound is reminiscent of the 60's San Francisco scene when poetry was rampant. Her music is narrative and thought provoking, sometimes lucid and at other times cryptic. Her tales can be anything from hauntlingly reflective to highly infectious folk/pop songs. They are distinct stories of fear, betrayal, discovery, love found and love thrown away. Don't miss her performance at 8pm. There is no cover charge.


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FortGeorgeBrewery.com

Fort George beer dinner at Venti's Cafe, Salem this Sunday

By John Foyston, The Oregonian

October 15, 2009, 12:55PM

Jack Harris and Chris Nemlowill in front of the Fort George chalk board, the best in the bizz...

Chris Nemlowill says there are still a few tickets left, so give the cafe a call...this menu certainly sounds worth the drive to Salem, and we know the beer will be sublime.

6-9pm October 18th from Venti's Cafe, 325 Court St NE, Salem;$40, call first, 503-399-8733.

Appetizer: Braised tornado of lamb and grilled salmon mousseline, paired with Vortex IPA

Salad: Frisee, radicchio, watercress, & arugula, tomato with salt pork lardons and fresh croutons with a Divinity Ale vinagrette, paired with Divinity Ale

Entree: Duck Fat braised short ribs with a lamb and stout beer demi & celery root puree, paired with Cavatica Stout

Dessert: Chocolate Torte paired with Coffee Girl Espresso Stout.

More information here.

Beer Descriptions:

Vortex IPA

India Pale Ales’s were designed to withstand the long voyage to India. Today, it seems one has to design the IPA strong and hoppy enough to make the trip back as well. Vortex IPA is Fort George’s first foray into this strong beer category. With generous additions of Cascade, Simcoe and Palisade hops throughout the brewing, fermentation and conditioning phases, balanced with heaps of organic pale malt, we designed this to not rip your tastebuds off your tongue, but rather vigorously stimulate them and your palate into a lupulinecstacy of pleasure.

During the cross-country truck trip our brewery made to find it’s home in Astoria it was nearly scattered to the cornfields of Nebraska by a tornado. We try to capture some of nature’s intensity in every pint.

If that doesn’t give you some idea of what this beer is about, here are the numbers.

ABV 7.7% IBU 97

Ingredients:

Cascade Hops

Simcoe Hops

Palisade Hops

Organic Gambrinus Pale Malt

Victory Malt

40L Crystal Malt

NW Ale Yeast

Divinity

Brewers use raspberries in fruit beer because they work so well. Tart and crisp, the essence easily moves into the beer without cloying sweetness. The brewers at Fort George were seeking something unique so delved into the O.S.U. Ag department's archives to discover the Olallieberry - a hybrid of Logan and Youngberry, each of which is a cross between blackberry, raspberry and dewberry. Huge and sweet with blood-red juice, yet fragile and easily bruised, these berries never found a commercial market in their whole form, but as a jam, wine and now for the first time a beer they have found Divinity.

5.2% abv, IBU's = (international berry units) off the scale.

ingredients:

Organic Gambrinus Pale Malt

Organic Gambrinus Malted Wheat

40lbs Olallieberry

Hoegaarden Wit Yeast

Cavatica Stout

An immense, bold, black as night, American stout beauty; Cavatica is no dry Irish anything. Made in the tradition of terminator, except stronger, one sip and you will surely take notice to what you’re drinking.

The name honors this brewer’s affinity with Arachnia. Be forewarned, this beer will stain your clothes.

SG @ 1078

TG @ 1012

ABV 8.8%

Ingredients:

8 Different Malts.

Palisade Hops

Mt. Rainer Hops

Coffee Girl Imperial Stout

Russian Imperial Stout conditioned on ten pounds of freshly roasted then french press ground espresso beans from Coffee Girl Cafe in Astoria, Oregon.

This beer was featured on the cover of the living section in the Oregonian on Valentines day 2008

ABV 9.6%

Ingredients:

9 different Malts.

lots of Oatmeal

Tons of Malasses.

10IBLS CG Espresso

These suds aren't duds

Fort George brewers buy Lovell Building, reveal expansion plans

<>By JOE GAMM
The Daily Astorian

Beer is business and business is good.

It doesn't hurt to have really good beer either.

The success that the Fort George Brewery has experienced over the past 2 1⁄2 years has inspired its owners Chris Nemlowill and Jack Harris to take a chance and try to grow.

The business partners (under the business name Big Beams LLC) completed the deal Wednesday to purchase the Fort George Building, the Lovell Building, the old Ocean Crest Chevrolet alignment shop and the Hertz lot all from Robert Stricklin. The properties make up almost a city block.

The brewery owners hope their expansion will help them extend their business into neighboring states and nearly double their workforce.

In its brief time at the Duane Street location, the brewery has enjoyed tremendous success.

"We've had some pretty rapid growth. Locals have really accepted Fort George Brewery as a place they want to come to, hang out and have a beer at," Nemlowill said.

Large groups had inquired about renting out the entire pub, but the business owners didn't want to close the pub to locals and regular customers. They have 150 members in their Mug Club, who they didn't want to ever have to turn away. They knew they needed a bigger space to rent out for large groups or events.

Harris said the obvious next step was to buy more room, "because it's expensive to rent." Though he praised Stricklin as a generous (former) landlord.

Harris said they never considered purchasing all the buildings until Stricklin told them it was package deal.

"It just opened our minds to new possibilities and new opportunities," he said.

They are purchasing enough equipment to triple in size, and want to increase their production capacity. They employ 23 people now, and anticipate the number to grow rapidly with expansion.

Fort George has 26 accounts in Clatsop County. Its beer is enjoyed as far away as Portland.

"We really haven't worked on pushing beer up to Portland," Nemlowill said. But 60 kegs head that far east every month. The brewery has reached its capacity. As the brewery expands, Nemlowill and Harris would like to package some of their products in pints.

The men intend to distribute their best-loved beers throughout Oregon and into Washington, Idaho and California. To reach their goals they need lots of room to expand.

Big beams indeed. And also very big buildings. The second floor of the Fort George Building is nearly 6,000 square feet. Large windows face out of the space on three sides. The brewers hope to open part of the space for customers and to use part to "barrel age" some of their beers in wine barrels. Last year they produced a Bourbon Barrel Stout, and a beer they called South. South was a Belgian-style beer aged on raspberries and "conditioned" in pinot noir barrels.

"Stuff like that is a lot of fun to produce," Nemlowill said.

As big as it is, the Fort George building is dwarfed by the Lovell Building.

In all, the Lovell Building is a massive 30,000 square feet. Its huge old-growth beams are similar to the 400-year-old Douglas Fir beams in Fort George.

The old buildings represent history. Perhaps none more than the Lovell Building, which survived the Great Astoria Fire.

The Lovell Building, built in 1921, was like a second home for Astoria resident Martha Dahl. Dahl's grandfather, Sherman Lovell, had the building constructed for Lovell auto Co., his automotive dealership.

Dahl believes the building was the first in Astoria to be built for the express purpose of housing an automotive dealership.

"This was a state-of-the-art dealership," she said.

But the year following completion of the building, tragedy struck when the Great Astoria Fire destroyed many of the wood buildings that once occupied downtown.

Legend has it that when the fire reached as far east as 14th Street firefighters wanted to blow up Lovell's building so there would be a fire break. Sherman Lovell refused, and stood on top of the building firing warning shots at them.

Dahl said her family has its own lore about the building. She said Lovell had ordered a number of fire extinguishers for the new building. But when the shipment arrived there had been a mixup and instead of a number of individual fire extinguishers, he received that number of cases. Lovell hadn't had a chance to send the extras back.

"His employees got up on the roof. Every time an ember flew, they snuffed it," Dahl said. "The mistake of ordering too many saved the building."

Regardless of how the structure was preserved, after the fire, with so many businesses burned out of their buildings, Lovell moved his dealership to its previous location and opened his new building to other retail businesses, and called it the Lovell Arcade.

"Several of the displaced businesses in town moved in there," Dahl said.

Like her father, Dahl and her siblings worked in the dealership. She eventually managed it until the family sold the business in 1994.

Chris Nemlowill, co-owner of the Fort George Brewery and Public House, plans to have his kegs flowing inside the newly purchased Lovell Building, on 14th and Duane Street in Astoria Oct. 31 when the brewery hosts Halloween Hellorium. ALEX PAJUNAS — The Daily Astorian

Jack Harris, co-owner of the Fort George Brewery and Public House, will have more room to roam and stairs to conquer as the Astoria brewery expands its production and distribution beyond the Fort George Building. ALEX PAJUNAS — The Daily Astorian

•  Brewery customers are going to have a chance to get a first-hand look at the Lovell Building starting at 9 p.m. Oct. 31, when Fort George hosts Halloween Hellorium. The event is intended to coincide with the Gallagher concert and the annual Halloween cyclocross held at the Clatsop County Fairgrounds.

Drunkin Pumpkin just released!

As we celebrate the fall of summer and the rewards of harvest, a pumpkin beer seems necessary. Fort George Brewers cut up and baked 120 pounds of pie pumpkins and threw them in with the mash. The resulting beer captures Autumn in a glass. A rich Amber, silky-smooth on the tongue with an essence of earth and all it's potential, this version forgoes the traditional use of pie spices so the palate can enjoy the subtlety of the garden, intoxicated with its' bounty.

6.5% abv 99 IPU's (international pumpkin units)



Jack Harris
Fort George Brewery
(503) 325-PINT
jack@fortgeorgebrewery.com

October Newsletter

Our Co-Hoperative is making an apperance at the Eugene Fresh Hop Beer Tastival

10/17/2009
Oregon Bounty
Fresh Hop Beer Tastival
Produced by the
Oregon Brewers Guild
948 Olive St.
Eugene
Admission is free
21+ Only
$5 for a tasting glass-Required to taste.
It’s your once-a-year chance to taste what Oregon’s finest brewmasters can do with just-picked hops. Sample more than 20 fresh hop beers from Oregon’s top craft brewers, large and small. Admission is free; glasses $5 and are required to taste, individual tastes are $1.

Wild Mushroom Harvest Brewer's Dinner Wednesday Oct. 14th

The shorter days and increase in precipitation bring a smile to my face every October…Mushrooms! October 14 will be the first of six Brewer’s Dinners at the Fort George Brewery. Below you can view the menu. All dinners will be held on the second Wednesday of the month and start at 6:00 P.M. $55.00 will buy you five courses of food with beer to match each course; this price includes gratuity. A $5.00 per person discount will apply for anyone who purchases two or more tickets and reservations are required. We will take a short break in the month of March to prepare for our 3rd birthday party, Sunday, March 14th. Call 503-325-PINT for reservations and more info.
See you there!
- Dana, Head Chef

Wild Mushroom Harvest Dinner

Wednesday, October 14^{th 2009}

^Intro

^{King Oyster Mushroom Duxelle with Blue Scorcher Crostini}

^{Fort George Brewery – Golden Goose}

^Appetizer

^{King Boletus and Cavatica Stout Sausages}

^{Served on a Bed of Caramelized Onions}

^{Buckbean Brewing Company - Black Noddy Lager}

^Salad

^{Butter Leaf Greens with Toasted Pecan Chèvre Chaud and Quick Wit - Peach Vinaigrette}

^{Dogfish Head Craft Brewery - Festina Pêche}

^Soup

^{Smoked Lobster Mushroom Bisque with a Rosemary Gremolata}

^{Stone Brewing Company – Stone Smoked Porter}

^{MAIN COURSE}

^{Morel and Rabbit Pot Pie}

^{Fort George Brewery – Illuminator Dopplebock}

^DESSERT

^{Chanterelle and Apricot Ice Cream Sandwich}

^{Weissbierbrauerei G. Schneider & Sohn GmbH - Aventinus Weizen-Eisbock}

Matt Zeltzer

Sunday, Ocotber 4th
8pm No cover
Fort George Brewery
1483 Duane St.-Astoria

Matt Zeltzer tours to Astoria'a Fort George brewery and Public House this Sunday night October 4th. Zeltzer is a blues/roots slide guitar musician from Portland, Oregon. He brings a driving mixture of fierce, bone-shaking slide guitar and subtle finger-picked folk. The stirring texture of his guitar is tied with highly poetic lyrics and a soulful, seemingly timeless voice: reminiscent of an earlier generation of folk music, yet standing alone as a unique and contemporary expression. While Zeltzer's talent is bordering on masterful, it is the intense energy, vibrancy, and unusual honesty that transform Zeltzer's music into compelling and profound art.

Raised in the smoggy settlements outside Los Angeles, half way through his life, Matthew’s family relocated further North, where endless cities give way to suburbs, farms, and finally the Pacific Ocean. Just shy of 14, Matthew took up surfing and electric guitar, thus extending a lifelong relationship with music (and the sea). Matthew now lives in Portland, Oregon, between traveling off of the map, in search of a world hidden beneath the Formica veneer of the disposable age.

Zeltzer has been traveling backwards for as long as he can remember. “ I grew up listening to The Beatles, Buddy Holly, Neil Young, Bob Dylan and Bob Marley out of the tape deck in my parents Camery wagon.” Eventually, his interests led him to the blues, and later folk music, from Buddy Guy, Howling Wolf, and the Band, and back to the likes of Son House, John Lee Hooker, and Lightnin’ Hopkins. Zeltzer has been playing music for nearly his entire life- after fiddling with the family piano and a guitar he received “around age four”, he began taking piano lessons at age eight, shifting his focus to guitar later. In the age of throwaway college degrees and text messaging, it is rare to find a young, well-developed artist such as Zeltzer. Already, at the age of 22, Zeltzer has released an EP, two demo CDs, played guitar on The Flying H’s EP “Shake It Out Loud,” and performed at numerous festivals, such as “One Family Gathering,” venues, benefit concerts, house shows up and down the west coast and in Hawaii— Music starts at 8pm and there is no cover charge.
www.myspace.com/mattzeltzer

Carrie Clark w/ opener Camille Bloom

Sunday, October 11th
8pm No Cover
Fort George Brewery
1483 Duane St. -Astoria

Two female solo singer/songwriters will perform at the Fort George Brewery and Public House on Sunday, October 11th. Carrie Clark is an Oregon native brought up on Willie Nelson, Crystal Gayle, and Johnny Cash, Carrie immersed herself in music at an early age, teaching herself piano and guitar. Describing her song writing tendencies, Carrie says "I'm a generally happy person, but song writing seems to bring out the dark side of my emotions. You have to have both, so in order to stay happy, the darker side of me is given to the songs I write." Carrie's liberal use of diverse musical sounds from country twang to vaudeville swing is unsurprising coming from a singer whose wide-ranging background includes membership in a Belle-and-Sebastian-esque pop duo, a reggae band, and a big-band jazz ensemble.

Opening the evening will be Camille Bloom. Known for her incredibly dynamic voice and edgy acoustic rock, Camille has played the most premiere venues on the East and West Coasts - ranging from New York City's Bitter End, Boston's Club Passim, Seattle's Triple Door, Tractor, and Crocodile, Los Angeles' The Mint and over 150 other rooms spanning the nation. She has had the chance to share the stage with such acts as Smashmouth, SUGARCULT, Brandi Carlile, Sarah Bettens, and Mike McCready (Pearl Jam) and many more. Though modest about her achievements, in the last five years, she has been featured in Performing Songwriter Magazine, created the soundtrack for an HBO sponsored documentary "Not Straight Forward", was picked to be on a compilation CD with Michelle Malone and Amy Ray (Indigo Girls), completed over 25 national / international tours and has been added to several major and college radio stations throughout the nation: including Seattle's 103.7 The Mountain and KEXP. The show starts at 8pm and there is no cover.
www.carrieclark.com
www.camillebloom.com

Jon Davidson

Sunday, September 27th

8pm No Cover
Fort George Brewery
1483 Duane St.-Astoria



“Jon’s songs are thoughtful and melodic. His voice is amazing and is the draw to his music that will keep you listening.”
--Lisa Wood, KUFO 101.1

Jon Davidson is a solo artist as well as the frontman for the hard rock band Silversafe. The singles "Beautifully Bittersweet" and "Going Home," from his latest album, Perfect Cliche, have garnered airplay on 200 FM stations in 45 states, and will be included in several upcoming films and MTV shows. His single, "What Can I Say?" has been selected for inclusion in the 2010 film, "Twisted Redemption." He has toured in 5 countries and played with artists such as Powerman 5000, Puddle of Mudd, The Exies, and Hurt.

Davidson is currently working on a new album at Greenhouse Studios in Vancouver, BC. The songs are being produced by Jeff Johnson (Jet Black Stare, Adelitas Way), engineered by Chris Holmes (Korn, The Veer Union, Katy Perry), and mixed by Randy Staub (Metallica, U2, Nickelback, Our Lady Peace).

Jon has appeared in Entertainment Weekly and on E! Television, FOX, and ABC. His music is published by Dummy Boy Publishing, LLC. Jon's song "What Can I Say" has been chosen for inclusion in the upcoming feature film Twisted Redemption. He was the runner-up for the Best Male Artist Of The Year award at the 2009 Portland Music Awards.

Davidson is committed to using his music to make a tangible difference. He frequently performs benefit shows and other events for such organizations as the American Heart Association, the American Cancer Society, and the March of Dimes.

He is currently touring in support of his new solo album and performs emotive, eclectic, acoustic rock shows.
www.jondavidsonmusic.com

September Newsletter

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Northwest Brew Cup is Coming Up

Press Release September 6, 2009

Many of the best beers the region has to offer will be flowing at an Oktoberfest-type celebration in downtown Astoria this month—the 8th annual Pacific Northwest Brewcup.

“It’s exciting to have the opportunity to try beers that are not normally available in our area,” said organizer Chris Nemlowill of the Fort George Brewery + Public House.

Nemlowill adds, it’s a great weekend to come to Astoria, as the tourism season has mellowed, but the fall colors are coming out and the weather is still nice.

The Fort George will be releasing its fresh-hopped Co-Hoperative Ale, made with locally grown hops. This will be one of more than 36 beers from northwest craft breweries available for festival-goers to taste.

Root beers and ginger ales will also be available, making this a family-friendly event. There will also be food and live music all three days.

After last year’s success, organizers from the Baked Alaska Restaurant have joined up with the Fort George Brewery + Public House again. Together, they hope to make this a brewer-friendly event, with a focus on promoting handcrafted artisan brews.

Proceeds from the festival will go to the Clatsop County Food Bank.

Details:

September 25th, 26th, and 27th

Noon-10 p.m. Friday and Saturday 11 a.m.-4p.m. Sunday

Astoria Public Square: Duane Street, between 11th and 12th streets

$6 entrance fee includes a sampling glass and taste tokens are $1 each

For more information log onto www.fortgeorgebrewery.com or call (503) 325-PINT and ask for Jack or Chris.

We will be closed on Labor Day and will re-open on Tuesday at 4:00 PM

We will be closed on Labor day in honor of our employees. We will re-open on Tuesday at 4:00 pm. So when you want some Fort George Beer on Labor Day please visit other local establishments that serve our beer on tap or come in the day before and get a growler to go!

* American Legion Hall - Cannon Beach
* Astor St. Opry Co.
* Astoria Coffeehouse Cafe
* Baked Alaska
* Bridgewater Bistro
* Cannery Cafe
* Clemente's
* Goose Hollow @ the Cove
* McKeown's
* Pizza Schmizza
* Rogue Pub
* Sam's Seaside Cafe
* San Dune Tavern
* Ship Inn
* Silver Salmon
* T. Paul's Supper Club
* The Lumberyard
* The Shipyard
* Triangle Tavern
* Voodoo Lounge

Iron Chef Goes Coastal

Thursday, September 17, 2009
5:00 pm
Seaside Convention Center
415 First Ave.
Seaside, OR 97138

Chefs competing in the 2009 Iron Chef Goes Coastal event include John Newman of Newman’s 988, Lynn “Red” Pelletier of Bridgewater Bistro, Alex Kurrus of Astoria Golf and Country Club and William Leroux of Wayfarer Restaurant. The timed culinary competition will be decided by a panel of judges, while guests will have the opportunity to name a “People’s Choice” winner. Tickets are $25 in advance, $30 at the door, and $40 for reserved seating. Iron Chef Goes Coastal is one of three major fundraising events hosted throughout the year by United Way of Clatsop County.

The Fort George Brewery and Hop Picking this Thursday 9/3/09

The Fort George Brewery and Public House calls out to all who have hops growing in their yards & gardens, on fences, barns or houses and would love to see those hops get made into beer. Our second annual Co-Hoperative Ale wet-hopped beer will be made this Friday, so we need folks to pick and drop off their hop-vines Thursday, September 3rd. We will have a pack of folks ready to sticky their fingers in a hop-stripping frenzy, collecting untold varieties of hops to be used for Friday's brew. Those who have hops to contribute will be treated to some of the fruits of their agricultural prowess when the beer is ready. Call the brewery at (503) 325-7468 with any questions.

Hop-stripping, Fort George Family style, '08

Swing Cats

Sunday, September 6th
8pm No Cover
Fort George Brewery and Public House
1483 Duane St.-Astoria

Local swing jazz group Swing Cats will perform for their first time at the Fort George Brewery and Public House on Sunday, September 6th at 8pm.
Swing Cats is a four-piece ensemble of coast musicians playing jazz -swing era, standards, and progressive; bossa nova; blues; and an occasional rock and roll piece. Members include Dave Ambrose on stand-up bass, Richard T. on the guitar, Bill Hayes on guitar and Tom Sarpela on drums. Their combination of talents bring a smooth flow to their music that inspires listeners to groove with them, toes tapping. Swing Cats will spin a nice mellow and upbeat end to your summer and your weekend. Enjoy yourself at the Fort George with a good beer and a good vibe.

The Quick and Easy Boys

Sunday, August 30th
8pm No Cover
Fort George Brewery
1483 Duane St.-Astoria


The Quick & Easy Boys are a power-trio from Portland, Oregon who create their own brand of rock 'n' roll mixing together honky-tonk, funk, and a DIY punk attitude. Imagine the Minutemen, Funkadelic and Willie Nelson rolled into one. Their high-energy thought-provoking original music provides a bounce to your step that can only lead to a whole lot of dancing.

Formed in 2005, The Quick & Easy Boys quickly made a name for themselves in Eugene, Oregon before moving themselves to Portland and building a fanbase there. Passing through a few incarnations and out-of-print recordings, the core members Jimmy Russell on guitar, Sean Badders on bass, and Mike Goetz on drums continue evolving musically as a band…and audiences continue their enthusiastic calling of “Yeah Bud!” at every show. Their 2008 release “Bad Decisions With Good People” has left people raving about their unique and vibrant sound.

The Quick & Easy Boys continue touring throughout the Western United States, opening for bands like The Bridge, Iglu & Hartly, The Pimps of Joytime, Bob Wayne & the Outlaw Carnies, Vince Herman, Scott Law and Shanti Groove. In 2009, they plan on touring throughout the United States and releasing a new CD in their quest to constantly re-invent “Honkadelic”.

8th Annual Pacific Northwest Brew Cup September 25th-27th

Astoria, Oregon Downtown Plaza
36+ different brews to sample from
all over the Pacific Northwest.
Food and Music all weekend long.
This is a family friendly Event!

Sponsored by:
The Baked Alaska Restaurant & Lounge
Fort George Brewery and Public House

Proceeds will benefit the Clatsop County Food Bank - a United Way Agency

News from the Fort - blog post from BrewPublic.com

.

A recent visit to Fort George Brewery in Astoria revealed five new things about the brewery. Since some of this news is premature and there are not any details, this will be a short and sweet post that will share some exciting news to come from Fort George.

First, lets start with the news that can be experienced right now.

Fort George has some new fancy growlers available at the brewery for purchase. Now you may be wondering what new beer could you fill your growler with. Well, the Spank Stout was just released and it is delicious. The Spank Stout used 40 pounds of habanero, jalapeno and anaheim peppers and starts as a mellow full bodied slightly chocolaty stout and slowly grows to a spicy finish that leaves the palate warm and wanting more.

A trip to Astoria is always fun, but combining the trip with a beer fest is even better. Coming September 25-27 to the seaside town at the mouth of the Columbia River, Chris Nemlowill from Fort George will once again be organizing the Pacific NW Brew Cup. Last year’s event had about 30 northwest breweries and this year’s fest promises just as many. All proceeds raised go to the Clatsop County Food Bank. Check the calender for more details down the road as they are released.

Now for breaking news. Fort George has been growing at a very comfortable rate and has looked into the possibility of expanding. The building on the other side of the parking lot from the current location is vacant and it looks like Fort George will be setting up a new place there. Also, they are looking into expanding into the second story of their current location. With this expansion means that Fort George will also be acquiring a canning line and the first beer they plan on canning is the Vortex IPA. I’m not sure how soon all this be finished but it gives us all something to look forward to.

Painted Grey 8/23

Sunday, August 23rd
8pm No Cover
Fort George Brewery
www.fortgeorgebrewery.com http://www.myspace.com/paintedgrey

Painted Grey is an acoustic rock band hailing from Portland, Oregon. Starting as an acoustic duo with Andrew Tewson and Deanna Walton, the band began to take shape with the addition of Caleb Roloff and Paul Tewson in the spring of 2008. Shifting from a solely acoustic sound, they have developed into a much fuller and rock driven style, without losing their acoustic roots. Andrew and Deanna initially met in a former band lasting only a couple of months. They continued writing and recording in Andrew's basement for the better part of a year. Moving from Long Beach, Washington, Caleb met Deanna while working at the same restaurant in the Portland area. Caleb began attending jam sessions religiously shortly after. The timing couldn't have been more perfect when Paul Tewson, Andrew's younger brother, moved from Bozeman, MT to Portland and immediately joined the band as their drummer. After several months of bassless shows, Anthony Darrough, a Georgian transplant who moved recently to the Portland area, was the last and final addition to Painted Grey.

Chili Beer - Because They Can

by jbx

Subtitle: I’ll see your Jalapeños and I raise you some Habaneros
16 August 2009

A keg of Spank’s Stout chili beer awaits the appropriate free tap at Venti’s Cafe, downtown Salem. The description of the ale that will be posted on the beer leaderboard sign reads:

Ft. George - Spank’s Stout ~30 IBU / 7.5% ABV
Ft. George Brewery, Astoria. Full bodied mellow chocolate stout augmented by Anaheim, Habanero, & Jalapeno peppers; starts chocolaty / finishes warm & spicy.

The description was derived from scant information available
- a paragraph in Angelo De Ieso II’s PublicBrew.com blog
and
- an email from Jack Harris, co-owner / brewer of the brewery responding to my inquire regarding the beers IBU and ABV.
The IBU value, not provided by the brewer, is estimated as typical of a ‘mellow chocolate stout’.

__Spank’s Stout Name Sake__
Jack Harris reported the beer is named in honor of Chef Spank
- who supplies the Habanero Sauce for Fort George Brewery & Public House’s rock fish tacos
and
- [whose crew] are very generous and great regulars

__And So Forth__
This exposure to Fort George - Spank’s Stout tweaked my interest and prompted me to search for more information about chili beers in general and Oregon brewed chili beers in particular. Several hours of Google search and analysis of BeerAdvocator.com data yielded the information detailed below.

At the end, I opine about the existence / the occurrence of chili flavored beer.

Four appendices include some outlying information that interested me. If this blog entry reads like a ‘laboratory report’, it is justified. I was a satellite communication systems analyst for 35 year; engineering analysis was my game.

__Oregon Chili Craft Beers__
I found six Chili [flavored] beers brewed by five Oregon craft breweries; in alpha, beta, gamma order:
1. Barley Brown’s Brew Pub, Baker City - Hot Blonde Chili Beer
2. Calapooia, Albany - Chili Beer
3. Fort George, Astoria - Spank’s Stout
4. Rogue Ale, Newport - Chipotle Ale
5. Roots Organic, Portland - Chocolate Habanero Stout
6. Roots Organic, Portland- Calypso Ale

Additionally, I found a reference to McMenamins’ Thompson Brewery, Salem, entering ‘Lifesource - Chocolate Chili Porter’ in the McMenamins’ Hillsdale Brewfest competition, 16 Feb 2008, a brewfest ‘featuring twenty original brews, …’; but, this appears to have been one-off occurrence.

__Availability__
Rogue Ale - Chipotle Ale is available in 12 and 22 ounce bottles. I recently purchased a boomer at the most competent ‘Capital Market’ beer depot in Salem. To my knowledge, none of the other five, aforementioned, Oregon-brewed chili beers are bottled.

Google search results suggest all these chili beers, when available from their brewers, are available in kegs [to individuals and retail licensees] and growlers at the brewery.

Google search matches suggest all the chili beer excepting the two RootsO are currently available on tap and in growlers at their brewery; RootsO chili beers appear to be seasonal. In fact, I had a pint of the Calapooia - Chili Beer at the brewery Albany brewpub on Thursday, 13 Aug 2009.

TapLister.com [Portland] search results indicate none of these 6 beers are available among the ‘currently list[ed] 594 beers on tap at 167 bars in Portland‘

__Barley Brown’s - Hot Blonde Chili Beer__
Described as ‘golden ale brewed with fresh jalapeno peppers’.

Google search reveals Barley Brown’s - Hot Blonde Chili Beer won the Silver Medal in the ‘Chili Beer’ subcategory [17E] of the Flavored Beer category [17] in the National American Brewers Association 2009 Competition. It won the same medal in 2008 and the 2007 gold medal in Herbed/Spiced subcategory [15a].

2007 was the earliest reference found.

__Calapooia - Chili Beer__
On the brewery’s website, Calapooia’s chili beer is described as

Medium-bodied and amber in color; minimally hopped and generously flavored with fresh Anaheim, Serrano, and Jalapeno peppers. A truly unique beer!

The Calapooia Brewing Co. website reports their Chili Beer won awards in 2007, 2008, and 2009.

2007 was the earliest reference found.

__Fort George - Spank’s [Chili] Stout__
In his PublicBrew.com blog, Angelo De Ieso reports

The Spank Stout used 40 pounds of Habanero, Jalapeno and Anaheim peppers and starts as a mellow full bodied slightly chocolaty stout and slowly grows to a spicy finish that leaves the palate warm and wanting more.

Ft. George brewer /co-owner, Jack Harris’ email modifies the ingredient list to 30 pounds total of Pasilla, Anaheim, Jalapeno and Habanero peppers.

Google search results suggests this beer’s initial released was early August 2009.

__Rogue Ale - Chipotle Ale__
On the brewery’s website, Rogue’s Chipotle Ale is described as

Roasted chipotle peppers produce an eye opening chile flavor in this deep golden ale with a malty, smoky aroma and smooth, crisp flavor.

The website also reports their Chipotle Ale won awards in 2002, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, and 2008. 2002 was the earliest reference found.

Not germane, but, during a July 2009 tour of the brewery, the tour guide reported Rogue Ale is distributed to all USofA states and 22 foreign countries, most recent addition - India.

__RootsO - Chocolate Habanero Stout__RootsO - Chocolate Habanero Stout appears to be a seasonal offering; Google search results were found for 2007 and 2008; the earliest reference found was April 2007.

I found the related search result match below entertaining: a blogger told of sampling the beer at a [June] 2007 Organic Beer Fest and commented, in a veiled reference to ‘the king of beers’ marketing:

‘You wouldn’t think this would be the ideal condition to try a chocolate habanero stout, impatiently standing in line in the hot sun. That can’t be anywhere near the ideal condition, so it must be even better than it seemed at the time. Scary. . . . this cocoa-n-chile beer has got to be the Aztec emperor of beers.’

__RootsO - Calypso Ale__
RootsO - Calypso Ale appears to be a seasonal offering. No Google search result earlier than 2008 was found.

In June 2008 John Foyston, TheBeerHere.com blogger and Oregonian beer writer, wrote

‘Calypso Ale … brave and way-successful experiment brewed with apricot and Scotch bonnet peppers’

and then goes on to quote Beervana.com’s Jeff Allworth having written

‘It smells dangerously peppery, but the heat is subdued, and marries beautifully with the sweetness of the apricot. Won’t be everyone’s cup of tea, but it’s a tour de force of high-concept brewing.’

__National and International Occurrence of Chili Beer per BeerAdocate.com__
BeerAdocate.com website contains a list of 63 chili beers.

The list is incomplete and should be regarded as a starting point in the quest for / knowledge of Chili Beer; Eg, the site reports only 2 of the 7 Oregon-brewed chili beer I found.

Regardless, the website was mined for information. Using the list of chili beers at BeerAdocate.com, an Excel spreadsheet, and the web I found, the correspondence between chili beer and state/county of origin as follows, in descending order:
- 10 chili beers from California breweries
- 06, from Colorado
- 06, from the Rock Bottom’ branded national breweries
- 05, from Minnesota
- 04, from Missouri
- 02, each from Arizona, Delaware, New Mexico, Nevada, Oregon, Washington, Wisconsin.
- 01, each from Hawaii, Illinois, Michigan, Mississippi, Nebraska, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, Virginia

Foreign sources included:
- 04 chili beers from Canada
- 03, from Australia
- 01, each from Austria and Russia

__Why Chili Beer__
?So, why does a brewer make chili beer?

I have thought about this. I claim no particular insight.

I am a recent convert to craft beer; my interest came directly from embracing the locavore movement in the Spring of 2009 due to having read ~half the works of Michael Pollan on ‘food’..

Prior to reading books and articles and listening to .mp3 interviews, conversations, and presentations by Pollan, I enjoyed Pilsner Urquell, Beck’s, and, in a pinch, Heinekens. But, that was then. To support local industry and diversity, I vote with my beer glass, mug, stein; ie, I now pay half again as much to drink ‘local beer’. And, local beer is craft beer. And local craft beer is diverse; non-homogenous. These are good things.

But, again, ?why brew chili flavored beer?.

The words: ‘innovative’, ‘creative’, ‘novel’, ‘bold’ come to mind. I suppose these brewers are simultaneously seeking to distinguish their product from the ‘madding crowd’ while demonstrating they can pull it off. In the best American tradition, if you see someone deliver a new, novel, and successful product , you may think:
a. I think I can do it better
[I'll see your Jalapeños and I raise you some Habaneros]
b. Hey, I want in on that action.
Further, I posit brewers may brew chili beer because they can; they believe they can create the proportions / mixture of flavors that please some people some of the time and some of the people [most] all of the time.

As above, I have drank Rogue - Chipotle Ale and Calapooia - Chili Beer. I find them interesting and enjoyable. If required to vote a binary choice: ‘this beer is awesome’ or ‘this beer sucks’,
I would cast an ‘awesome’ vote. I would choose a local chili beer every time over bland industrial macro-beers.

I look forward to partaking of a third chili beer, Ft. George - Spank’s Stout, at Venti’s Cafe Basement Bar within the week.

Note: I considered the ‘Hops Scare of 2008′; but, chili beers were contestant in a national beer competition as early as 2001.

regards, jbx

Appendix 01: MacTarnahan’s Lip Stinger Farmhouse Ale
MacTarnahan’s Brewing Co., Portland, do a spicy peppercorn favored ale. But, pepper is not a chili; ‘peppercorn beer’ is not ‘chili beer’.
The brewers description is as follows:

Lip Stinger is an effervescent and rustic farmhouse ale. This limited release ale is fermented with cracked peppercorn to introduce a spicy nose and warming mouth feel that will deliver a flavor sensation that is endlessly interesting.

Angelo De Ieso II’s, Portland, blog BrewPublic reports:

MacTarnahan’s Brewing Company . . . has a magnificent new brew out called Lip Stinger. A Belgian farmhouse-styled brew, it is a light bodied (4.8% ABV) , yet spicy brew with a nice little zing of peppercorn [blend of Malaysian and Indian varieties] as well as Mt. Hood and Saaz hops [32 IBU]. With 2-Row, Pilsen, and Wheat malts, the Lip Stinger is a perfect addition to your late summer quaffing appetite.

Appendix 02: Scoville Hotness Scale
Per Wikip, The Scoville scale measures the hotness or piquancy of a chili pepper, as defined by the amount of capsaicin it contains. Capsaicin is a chemical compound which stimulates chemoreceptor nerve endings in the skin, especially the mucous membranes. The number of Scoville heat units [SHU] indicates the amount of capsaicin present.

The following peppers are contained in one or more of the Oregon-brewed chili beer; ranked by descending Scoville heat unit, SHU. For completeness, the beer containing that chili pepper is listed
—pepper —— SHUs —— beer_
Habanero — 300,000+ — Fort George, RootsO Chocolate Habanero Stout
Scotch Bonnet — 200,000 — RootsO Calypso Ale
Chipotle — 75,000 — Rouge Ale
Serrano — 6,000-10,000 — Calapooia
Jalapeño — 5,000-7,000 — Barley Brown, Calapooia, Fort George
Pasilla — 1,000-1,500 — Fort George
Anaheim — 500-3,500 — Calapooia , Fort George

Appendix 03: Historic Reference
Chili beer in commercial quantities seems to pre-date 2001. Dillion [Colorado] Dam Chili Beer won the Gold Medal in the Specialty Beers category in the 2001 North American Beer Awards.

Perhaps, one can link chili beer to a 1940s Mexican cocktail known as ‘Michelada’. ?Is Michelada Chili Beer’s ancestor ? There may be some fragmental DNA matches.

The Wikipedia reports “Michelada is a Mexican cocktail of salas [made with chili and lime and pepper] added to a beer. The drink dates back to the 1940s, when mixing beer with hot sauce or salsa became popular in [The United Mexican States] Mexico.”

There are more than a half-dozen alternate spellings of the name. You can learn more than you want to know about Michelda from the wikip article; click the name.

__Appendix 04: Cave Creek - Chili Beer __
Cave Creek - Chili Beer is an American lager with a chili pepper inserted post brewing. It is not a true chili beer by my definition; regardless, I found advertising copy and the poster, linked below, for Cave Creek - Chili Beer [ initially brewed in Arizona, now brewed in Mexico] particularly entertaining; to wit:

Scattered F-16 parts, and lizards the size of beagles. All baked to a crisp 130 degrees. The Arizona desert. Home to 20 million rattlesnakes, It’s the kind of wide open desolation that makes people think twice before shutting off the car. And a place where a cold beer is pretty damned important. For Crazy Ed Chilleen, of Cave Creek, Arizona, [Population:1328 including coyotes and cattle] beer was much too important to be trusted to outsiders. So, in 1989, he started brewing his own beer. The town was suspicious. And became even more so when an entire brewery arrived in crates at the foot of Black Mountain, along with a German named Arnold. But after the first batch the people began to come around. The beer was good, damn good, So good in fact, the yuppies started driving in from all over to try it.

Something had to be done, So , whenever one of them whined for a ‘wedge of lime’ Ed started putting a hot Serrano chili pepper into the beer instead. Amazingly, about two out of ten actually liked the stuff. Surely, thought Ed, the Eighties had come to close.

Today the Brewery in Cave Creek, Ariz., is closed but Chili Beer Lives on and is being made in Tecate, Mexico and being distributed worldwide.

I have driven across the ‘Great American’ desert [West Texas - New Mexico - Arizona - eastern California; Colorado - Utah - Nevada], literally, dozens of times. As early as 1949 [as a passenger]; as recent as 2008. I relate to ‘ desolation that makes people think twice before shutting off the car’.

And, I like the poster’s reference to Colonel Kilgore of Apocalypse Now.