2011 Pacific Northwest Brewcup

It's that time again.  The last weekend of September belongs to the 10th Annual Pacific Northwest Brewcup Beer Festival in Astoria, Oregon.  Brought to you by the Fort George Brewery and our friends at the Baked Alaska restaurant, the fest returns to the Astoria riverfront next to the famous Maritime Museum September 23rd through the 25th.  Astoria is the perfect backdrop for some beer tasting.  Over three-dozen breweries will pour their beer on the waterfront along with live music, food, and vendors throughout the weekend.  The festival is a family friendly event with games and root-beer tasting for the kids.

Back by popular demand, Sunday is Growler Day, an opportunity to bring home your favorite beers from the fest.  That is to say if your favorite is still pouring!  Be sure to vote for the "People's Choice" award, and drink up for the "Thar She Blows" award, a clean sweep for Fort George last year.

Another feature of this year's Brewcup is the Home Brew Competition.  Sponsored by Hondo's Brew and Cork, The Home Brew Cup will be judged on Monday, September 26th.  Pre-registration must be filed by September 8th.  Registration forms can be obtained from Hondo's Brew and Cork, Fort George Brewery.  For more information, check out the Hondo's Brew Cup Facebook page.

Stay tuned to the Pacific Northwest Brewcup Facebook page as we release beer and band information.

Update:  9/7/2011
PARKING
Visitors to the Brew Cup should park at the East end of the Maritime Museum Parking lot. Walk to the water, take a right. We'll be there.

HOURS
Friday: 12:00noon-10:00pm
Saturday: 11:00am-10:00pm
Sunday: 11:00am-4:00pm

MUSIC LINEUP
Friday, September 23rd:
4:00-5:30 North Coast Blues Band
6:00-7:30 Bruce Smith and the Boda Boyz
8:00-10pm Minty Rosa

Saturday, September 24th
11:00am - 12:00 Troll Radio Review
4:00-5:30 Big Fish Blues Band
6:00-7:30 The Distractions
8:00-10:00 Broken Soviet

Sunday, September 25th
All Day - Barney Perrine

MARITIME OPEN HOUSE
The Maritime Museum who is hosting parking for the Brew Cup will open their doors to the public on Saturday, September 24th from 1:00-4:00. If you haven't checked out the Maritime Museum, here is your chance to take the tour for free. It is most definitely worth it!

HOMEBREW CONTEST
Hondo's Brew and Cork will be sponsoring the HomeBrew Cup on Monday September 26th. Pre-Registration ends September 8th for entrants. This event is open to the public, so come out and support your local brewers. (Hondo's also has a great tap selection and tons of great canned/bottled craft beer for sale.) 

Lower Columbia Disc Golf Course Coastal Throwdown

2011 Fort George Regatta: (REBA) Bicentennial Edition

Saturday August 16th for the Astoria Regatta, Fort George will be hosting an all day party.  We will start at noon with a Salmon BBQ and outdoor beer garden that will last throughout the day.  The taproom will also be open all day with special appearances by Coffee Girl Stout, and Bourbon Barrel Cavatica Stout.  Follow the 2nd Saturday "Beer Walk" around Astoria to end up at the Lovell Taproom for the "Beer Show" an art exhibit featuring... well, BEER.  The outdoor stage will be graced by country superstars Angie and the Carwrecks at 1:00pm, and Left Coast Country at 8:00pm.  Talk about a Reba pregame-  See you out there! 

Exploring Fort George 7/28

Come check out some amazing Fort George and Astoria history from some of the most knowledgeable historians on the area.  Thursday, July 28 at 7:00 in the Lovell Building Brewery.  The event is FREE and the Taproom will be open for whistle-wetting.  Beer + History = ? 

The public is invited to the Fort George Brewery and Public House on Thursday, July 28 at 7:00 pm for a presentation about the earliest U.S. settlement in Chinookan territory on the west coast of North America.  Speakers will include Chinook Nation Chair Ray Gardner and National Park Service archeologists Dr. Doug Wilson and Dr. Bob Cromwell.  The event will be held at the Fort George Brewery, on the site of the original Fort Astoria and Fort George trading post. 

An Epic Story

In 1811, representatives of the Astor Fur Company established a trading post on Chinookan lands along the Columbia River.  At that time, the Chinookan peoples were the densest population of non-agricultural people in the Americas and possibly the world, with sixty thousand people living along the lower Columbia River.  The Chinook owed their wealth and power to a trading network that extended up the Columbia River as far as Montana and along the Pacific Coast to southeast Alaska and California.

The early days of the post were marked by intrigue, politics, and drama, as both nations maneuvered for profit and influence.  “The story is epic,” said Mac Burns, Director of the Clatsop County Historical Society and Chair of the Astoria Bicentennial Committee.  “It includes drownings, shipwrecks, political marriages, and the brilliant leadership of Concomly, whose genius so impressed the Western world that his head would be stolen from his grave to try to divine the secrets of his leadership.”

Three speakers intimately familiar with the history of the lower Columbia will help bring the story to life.  Dr. Doug Wilson and Dr. Bob Cromwell have led or participated in archeological investigations at Middle Village, Cathlapotle and Fort Vancouver.  Ray Gardner is the elected chair of the Chinook Indian Nation and a descendent of Willapa Chief Huckswelt. 

“Events like this are possible because of peoples’ commitment to history and heritage,” said Lewis and Clark National Historical Park Superintendent David Szymanski.  “Thanks to Chairman Gardner, one of the most engaging speakers on the lower Columbia. And thanks to Jack Harris and Chris Nemlowill at Fort George for keeping their property’s history alive.”

Northbound and Down. Southern Washington Distribution Friday!

Fort George beer will be available in Southern Washington this Friday July 8th.  Cans of Vortex IPA and 1811 Lager will be available in cans, as well as our full lineup on draft.

We will be celebrating Friday at "By the Bottle" in Vancouver WA with free can tastings and some special draft beer.

For more information, check here.