Stout fans rejoice!
There will be scores of dark, creamy beers on tap during Astoria’s “carnival of stouts” – Fort George Brewery’s Festival of Dark Arts on Feb. 17.
Actually, a whopping 107 to be exact.
This year’s lineup is truly eye-popping, ranging from complex and potent barrel-aged varieties to a plethora of dessert stouts and assorted fruit, nut and coffee blends. And, of course, some traditional favorites as well. Dry Irish stout anyone?
For the bold, there will be plenty of exotic brews on hand, spiced with such intriguing ingredients as seaweed, oysters, chile peppers, buckwheat and maple syrup.
Some of the beers have sinister-sounding names like Kiss of Death and Mega Devil’s Teeth, while others simply sum things up: Peanut Butter Hazelnut Caramel Chocolate Cake.
Our vote for longest and most puzzling name: Into the Comforting Arms of a Most Delightful Sense of Dissatisfaction. How can you not sample it?
Eight North Coast breweries will be represented at the festival. All of their stouts were made in limited quantities that won’t last long. So, definitely check them out.
With support-your-local-brewery in mind, here’s a guide:
FORT GEORGE BREWERY
Every year, Fort George brews variants of its popular barrel-aged Matryoshka stout, and 2024 won’t disappoint.
For your sampling pleasure, choose among five versions: brewers’ “barrel select;” a batch infused with several types of vanilla; one with added cacao nibs and dates; that recipe plus almonds; and another with strawberries in lieu of almonds. ABV: 14 percent.
Among the dozen or so other Fort George stouts taking star turns at Dark Arts are:
Donut Kill My Vibe – Dessert stout with maple syrup, vanilla beans and maple donuts in the mash. ABV: 6.7%
Kiss the Bing – Imperial stout with cherries, chocolate and vanilla.ABV: 9%
Velvet Fog – England-inspired stout made with vanilla, lavender and Earl Grey tea. ABV: 7%
Buckwheat Pancake Stout – Breakfast-minded stout with hazelnuts, buckwheat and maple syrup. Collaboration with Old Standby Brewing. ABV: 10%
Fisher Poets Stout – Dry Irish stout made in collaboration with Salmon Safe, the FisherPoets Gathering, Astoria Brewing and Mount Olympus Brewing. ABV: 5.5%
NORTH JETTY BREWING (Seaview)
Hearts & Daggers – Milk stout aged in bourbon barrels with notes of chocolate, caramel and vanilla.ABV: 11.5%
OBELISK BEER CO. (Astoria)
The Darkest Timeline – Vanilla-infused imperial stout rested on aromatic amburana wood. ABV: 12%
ASTORIA BREWING (Astoria)
The Head Ancho – Imperial stout aged in bourbon barrels made with sweet ancho chile peppers, cocoa nibs and cinnamon. ABV: 11%
SISU BREWING (Seaside)
Näkki Seaweed Stout – Dark chocolate stout featuring locally sourced dulse seaweed for a touch of saltiness. ABV: 8.2%
PUBLIC COAST BREWING (Cannon Beach)
Maple Cinnamon Oatmeal Stout – Creamy oatmeal stout brewed with maple and Ceylon cinnamon. ABV: 8.5%
PELICAN BREWING (Pacific City)
Father of All Tsunamis – Imperial stout aged in rye whiskey barrels. ABV: 11.2%
HONDO’S BREWERY (Astoria)
Hellhound Mocha Stout – Imperial mocha stout made with cocoa nibs and aged in whiskey barrels.ABV: 14.5%
