Walk around Astoria, Seaside, Cannon Beach, or any other town in Clatsop County, and you’ll see lots of them. Breweries are a booming business in our area. From breweries to distillers, wine, beer, and alcohol producing companies are making a big splash on our local economy. So, pour yourself a glass of your preferred adult beverage and learn about our favorite breweries and what makes each of them unique.
Not many breweries take up an entire city block like Fort George Brewery. The brewery and public house sit inside a historic building built in 1924 on about the same location as the original Fort Astoria, known to locals as Fort George. It has become an icon of Astoria, a place for friends to gather, poets to share, and of course, there’s the incredible beer. Beer enthusiasts from near and far indulge in a glass of Vision Quest, Waves of Silence, and Fields of Green. There’s also plenty of great food to pair with your favorite suds, and the ambiance at Fort George is hard to beat.
Pelican Brewing Company may have begun in 1996 in Tillamook County, but in 2016 they expanded into Cannon Beach and have never looked back. It still has that small brewery feel but with big dreams and big success. The menu is seasonal and provides a variety of delicious food paired with about 20 beers on tap, including some small batch brews not available anywhere else. Guests enjoy watching the brewery operation through the large windows and the staff loves giving tours. It’s easy to see why they’ve earned numerous awards for their beers, including the coveted 2013 Great American Beer Festival Large Brewpub Brewer of the Year award.
Seaside Brewing Co.
Seaside Brewing is doing everything right. They pride themselves on “big, beautiful, northwest style beauties” and it shines through in the bold flavors of their beers. Tasty malt and classic hop bitterness create the perfect balance. They take pride in using crystal clear coastal rainwater that has been naturally filtered through the forests to produce their delicious craft beers. Situated in the old city jail building in Seaside, their location has as much character as their beers.
Public Coast Brewing Co.
Twenty-some years ago, Ryan Snyder fell in love with a girl from Cannon Beach, and ultimately Public Coast Brewing became their love child. Whether you’re looking to get the party started, or just want to chill with your spouse, it feels like a home away from home for beer lovers. Public Coast Brewing gets their name from the much-celebrated policy of the Oregon coast being “open to everyone, all 363 miles of it.” They honor the freedom of it by making craft beers that are representative of the spirit of the Oregon coast. Let’s toast to destiny and great beer!
Astoria Brewing Company
Now with four locations, including the always popular Wet Dog Café in Astoria, Astoria Brewing Company is a fresh hot spot for yummy food and tasty suds. With bold creations like Goonie Beer, Bitter Bitch Imperial IPA, and my personal favorite, Old Red Beard Amber, you’re bound to find the perfect beer to please your palate. Be entertained by the sound of seals, or the waves gently pounding the pier, while you dine on decadent regional cuisine and take in the view. At the Wet Dog Café, you can watch the trolley go by while sipping a Trolley Stop Stout and petting your well-behaved dog. That’s right, Wet Dog Café is dog-friendly and has been since the very beginning.
Buoy Beer Co. opened its doors to the public on Valentine’s Day of 2014 in Astoria. Their team of dedicated family and friends believe in supporting the community as much as they do in brewing great beer. From their classic, NW Red Ale, to the too easy to drink flavor of their Cream Ale, Buoy Beers are classically delicious. Happy hour is every Monday to Thursday in the Taproom at No. 1 Eight Street in Astoria. Enjoy the food creations of Executive Chef Eric Jenkins, and the best of handcrafted beers from Head Brewer Kevin Shaw.
Alongside many of our favorite breweries, small craft distilleries are making an appearance in our area. It’s hard to say if establishments like Cannon Beach Distillery and Astoria’s Pilot House Distilling are a compliment or competitor to the breweries. Either way, they look to be the breweries of the future with cozy little tasting rooms and sophisticated menus full of tasty grub. It’s nice to see that the adult beverage business is thriving in Clatsop County and we encourage you to get out and about and give them a try. Grab your friends or family and find your favorite new hot-spot.
