Hat’s off to Astoria’s Fort George Brewery for taking the bleakest month of the year – otherwise known as February – and turning it into a showcase of world-class stouts.
The centerpiece is the beloved Festival of Dark Arts, of course, which is being held this year on Valentine’s Day.
There will be more than 90 stouts on tap and an equally astonishing 25 performers and bands on stage. Actually, stages, since at least three will be occupied simultaneously throughout the downtown festival.
If you couldn’t snag a ticket to the sold-out adults-only carnival, don’t despair. There are plenty of free public events that allow people of all ages to celebrate.
The Fort has dubbed this period Stout Month and, for the third straight year, the fun starts with a free arcade.
On Jan. 29, the brewery stuffed a wide assortment of arcade-style video games and pinball machines in the Lovell Building. They’re set up for family-friendly free play through Feb. 28.
Every new Fort George stout – and this year there’s 19 – will be available after the festival on draft. Some will be sold in cans and bottles, too. (Other North Coast breweries will have their festival brews on tap, too, so it’s best to do some roaming).
The Aftermath, held the day after the festival, is a no-cover party featuring barrel-aged stout bottle releases, live music and more. All the special Matryoshka varieties will be pouring.
The party will be held on the Fort’s patio and in the Lovell Building from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Check out the gift store for special Dark Arts posters and T-shirts by Skinner, an Oakland, Calif., artist. Skinner is known for psychedelic art that blends horror, sci-fi and fantasy.
For more details about the festival visit fortgeorgebrewery.com/festival-of-dark-arts/
For a fun peek behind the curtain during preparations for Dark Arts, read William Dean’s story in the Feb. 12 edition of the Astorian (and at ABZ).
Cheers!
