Pacific North West Brew Cup 2014 Astoria, Oregon

    The Pacific NW Brew Cup was held September 26th to the 28th, always the last full weekend in September.   It is now located at the old railroad depot at the east end of the maritime museum parking lot.    Being right on the river front made for great views of the ships anchored and boats passing by.  The trolley car was also running, making available a ride for people that stayed in some of the local hotels in town.  36+ beers and Cider were on tap this year including such great local selections as: Ft George's "Fresh Hopped Vortex IPA",   Astoria Breweries " West Coast Lager" and Bills Tavern and Brew House "Duck Dive Pale Ale", Buoy Beer Co. "Dunkle" and North Jetty Brewings "Leadbetter Red Scottish Ale".  There were many great beer choices by breweries such as; Prodigal Son, Migration Brewing, Goodlife Brewing, Rusty truck, Oakshire and more.  Dancing, live music, and food vendors were present, as well as the Kids game area for the younger crowd.   The first keg to blow was Mill City Brew Werks "Logsplitter Imperial IPA" a favorite of mine, earning it the "Thar She Blows" award and Prodigal Son's "Huckleberry Wheat"  took the peoples choice award, winning the Beer Cup for 2014.  Cheers to Prodigal Son Brewery for winning two years in a row!

  Unlike last years fest, this weekend was sunny and mild, just the way we like it.  The big rain storm blew through on Thursday just missing the opening day on Friday.  Saturday looked to be another huge turnout for the fest.

This years fest was organized and ran by the Astoria Downtown Historic District Association.   Thanks to Jack Harris of Ft George Brewery for arranging the beer selections and all the people who staff this event and make it happen!

Welcome to the Fest!  this is looking east Friday afternoon.  I see a couple of local brew pub owners
 are enjoying the Friday opening!

A few regular festival attendees!

The Baked Alaska food booth had some awesome choices.  We had clam chowder in a bread bowl and Salmon sliders!

As always, there is a place just for the children to play.

These people take their festival duties very seriously.

The music stage placed against the back wall of the old railroad depot.

Entrance to the fest where you purchase tokens and festival glass. 

A typical crowd waiting to get a taster fill of brew.  When one of the tap stations gets real crowded;
like more than three or four people waiting....I move along to another one.  That's why I love this fest!

                                        Paula and Alan on Saturday                                             Paula, Ray and Julie.  Brew club members and friends!

The view looking east.  Beer tents on the right, food vendors on the left, seating, tents and tables in the center.
We Arrived at the fest around 3pm on Saturday.  There was a good size crowd already at that time.  I wouldn't be surprised if this years fest was another record attendance breaker.

click here for a short video of the Beer Fest on Friday night 

This beer festival just keeps getting better.  The weather was great, the location is awesome and the beer selection was quite nice this year.  There were a few fresh-wet Hop Ales on hand and a great selection of beers you don't find on your local store shelves.  If you have not yet been to Astoria for this brew fest, you should make plans for the last full weekend of September in 2015.  Great music, food and no waiting in long lines for beer tasting makes for a relaxed fun event!  

Be sure and stop in to sample some of the fine Ales that Astoria's local brew pubs are offering  the next time you are in town.  

Cheer and Beers!  
photographer and commentary by Alan Johnson

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