BY WILLIAM DEAN
There was a time a couple of years ago when the future of Pouring at the Coast was in doubt.
One of the oldest craft beer festivals on the North Coast was struggling to draw crowds at the Seaside convention center. The chamber of commerce, which had been hosting the event, wanted out.
Seaside-based Sisu Brewing and its parent company agreed to take over, but only if the venue changed.
For the 2024 event, the new organizers moved the festivities outdoors to Quatat Park on the Necanicum River. Sisu’s head brewer, Nick Nelson, immediately began enlisting a new slate of Pacific Northwest breweries.
The fresh approach paid off. Nearly 500 people came to sample beers and have a good time.
“It was great. Definitely a big success,” said Nicole Morrill, event specialist with Damarkom Inc., which owns Sisu.
This Saturday (May 31), the 13th annual Pouring at the Coast will be held at the downtown park with dozens of special brews on tap.
Nineteen breweries are participating, including Oregon favorites Pelican Brewing, McMenamins, Fort George Brewery and Buoy Beer.
Also pouring: Sisu; Obelisk (Astoria); North Jetty (Seaview, Wash.); Public Coast (Cannon Beach); 7 Devils (Coos Bay); Backwoods (Carson, Wash.); Scuttlebutt (Everett, Wash.); Boring (Sandy); Xicha (Salem); Calapooia (Albany); Willapa (South Bend, Wash.), Evasion (McMinnville); Falling Sky (Eugene); Mount Olympus (Aberdeen, Wash.) and Hondo’s (Astoria).
Featured beers run the gamut from hazy and West Coast IPAs to crisp lagers and creamy stouts.
It may be hard to resist sampling brews with names like Another F’ing Raspberry Hef (hefeweizen), Skunk Cabbage (IPA) or Garden of the Damned (pilsner).
Almost every brewery will have representatives at the festival to answer questions from beer fans.
“There are so many fun, interesting beers,” Morrill said. “I just love bringing people together and celebrating such an awesome craft.”
Festival-goers will also have the opportunity to vote for their favorite brewery. The People’s Choice Award will be announced in the evening, Morrill said.
Seaside rockers The Orbitronz take the stage as headliners at 5 p.m. Solo artist Jeremy Cornwell performs from 1 to 3 p.m.
Food options include Hawaiian specialties, hot dogs and brats, and pizza by the slice.
Admission to the family-friendly event is free. Tasting tickets, which include a commemorative glass and 10 tokens, cost $30.
After the festival, the fun doesn’t end.
The public is invited to a no-cover “after-party” at Sisu (located inside the Times Theatre) from 9 to 11 p.m. There will be more live music and, of course, beer.
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IF YOU GO
Purchase tickets at the festival or in advance at pouringatthecoast.com
When: Noon to 8 p.m., May 31
Where: Quatat Park, 493 Oceanway St.
Free parking available nearby
