BY WILLIAM DEAN
Goblins, gremlins and ghouls will soon be filling North Coast brewpubs and taprooms.
Dare you join them? Of course!
The Halloween celebrations this year are spread out over a week. There will be spooky music, wild costumes, special seasonal drinks and more.
Here’s a look at some of the most deliciously delirious bashes:
HELLORIUM/FORT GEORGE BREWERY
What’s Halloween in Astoria without Hellorium?
For the 15th year, Fort George is throwing a no-cover monster mash complete with live bands and spine-chilling décor.
There are two reasons why the brewery is committed to throwing a 21-and-older party on Oct. 31, according to spokesman Brian Bovenizer.
“Halloween is cool, Halloween is fun,” he said. “We like having fun. … It’s good to have something for the adults.”
The music starts at the Lovell Taproom at 6 p.m. and lasts until around 9:30. Thik Lizzy (a Thin Lizzy tribute band from Portland) and crazed local rockers Dr. Onion and the No-No Mamas will perform.
There’s also a quirky costume contest that typically features some gruesome gems and is definitely a highlight of the evening.
This year, Fort George has a free-play arcade set up in the room next to the taproom that will be open during the festivities, complete with a special food menu that ranges from cheese curds to corndogs. Beer is also available, of course.
1483 Duane St., Astoria
THE SPIDER’S LAIR /BREAKSIDE BREWERY
With a terrifying 8-foot spider sculpture and haunted forest, expect Breakside’s downtown Astoria brewpub to be dressed up for Halloween.
The Oct. 31 party runs from 9 to 11 p.m. or later, with KnabLinz and Mr. Jugo playing dance tunes. A costume contest and cocktail specials are also planned.
Free for adults 21 and older.
1355 Exchange St.
BEAST BASH/ILWACO CIDER CO.
Ilwaco Cider is new to the craft brewing scene, but owners Vinessa and Jarrod Karnofski love throwing a party. That’s why they’re hosting not one but two Halloween events.
Beast Bash will be held Saturday, Oct. 26 from 8 to midnight at the Long Beach peninsula cidery, featuring music by Space Whales, a psychedelic rock band out of Olympia, Wash.
There will also be a “Best Beastie” costume contest and games with assorted prizes. Food trucks will be on site.
Tickets are $25 in advance and $30 at the door as space allows. Guests must be 21 and older.
The cidery is also hosting a free Oct. 31 all-ages “Halloween carnival” featuring The Herding Cats, a classic rock cover band from Seattle. The music starts at 6 p.m.
At 8 p.m., there will be a special choreographed “Thriller” dance performance in the parking lot. More than 20 “zombies” are expected to participate.
116 Spruce St. E., Ilwaco
BOOS & BREWS/SISU BEER
Boos & Brews on Saturday, Oct. 26 will be like no other brewery-hosted Halloween party. That’s because it’ll be held inside the historic (and possibly haunted) Times Theatre in downtown Seaside.
Sisu does its brewing inside the theater, which also features a pub, stadium seating on two levels and a giant movie screen.
Playing on that screen during the party will be classic horror movies and music videos. Local DJ Sirioth will be spinning vinyl starting at 8 p.m. There will also be a costume contest and drink specials.
As an added incentive, head brewer Nick Nelson is offering a special dark pumpkin lager that shouldn’t be missed.
Admission is $20 (free to Sisu Pint Club members).
133 Broadway, Seaside
NIGHTMARE ON BOND STREET/OBELISK BEER CO.
Nightmare on Bond Street unfolds Friday, Oct. 25 – a party described by co-founder and brewer Dave Coyne as a “spooky, sudsy fright night.”
There will be live music, beer cocktail specials, a costume contest and a Halloween-edition stein-holding competition.
Further details were not immediately available, but judging by last year’s spirited party, it’ll be worth checking out.
Adults over 21 only. No cover charge.
598 Bond St., Astoria
This column originally appeared in the Astorian.
