Billed as the Oldest City West of the Rockies, Astoria’s Victorian architecture and stunning scenery make it the perfect location for launching your Oregon vacation. The city has a rich history dating back to the mid-19th Century, and it’s on display at Fort Clatsop National Museum and Columbia River Maritime Museum. Don't leave Astoria without sampling the excellent local cuisine. A few great options include Bridgewater Bistro, Baked Alaska, and Fort George Brewery.
The Pacific Northwest Brew Cup has showcased the best beers in the Pacific Northwest since its inception 16 years ago, and it will take place September 22-24, in Downtown Astoria. Attendees will have the opportunity to sample beer, cider, and wine from more than 40 of Northwest’s finest producers and meet with the beer makers themselves. Festival goers will have the chance to cast a vote in the People's Choice Award for their favorite beverage, and the keg to run dry first will win the Thar She Blows contest.
Musicians from across the Northwest will perform live throughout the event including Anita Margarita and the Rattlesnakes, Sarsaparilla, and Benyaro. A variety of favorite local food trucks will serve up everything from Mexican to Italian foods, and a kids area will feature games and activities for all ages. We got the chance to interview Sarah Lu Heath, a representative of the event, to learn more about this celebration of brewing.
RAL: How long has the event been running?
SLH: The Pacific Northwest Brew Cup is now in its 16th year.
RAL: How many annual participants do you draw?
SLH: We anticipate around 3,500 people over the course of the three days.
RAL: What demographic does your event attract? Children? Families? Couples?
SLH: All of the above! We’re family friendly event with activities for kids.
RAL: What makes this event unique?
SLH: The stunning location in Downtown Astoria on the banks of the Columbia River provides the perfect backdrop for our event.
RAL: Take me through the activities of a day at the event.
SLH: We have 16 bands from the Northwest, a variety of games for the kiddos, food carts, beer tasting, and more.
RAL: What will attendees find for dining options?
SLH: There will be some great food trucks on hand including The Hot Box BBQ, The Good Bowl, Monte Alban Mexican, and Finni’s Fine Italian.
RAL: Tell us about the atmosphere?
SLH: It's a relaxed environment filled with easy going people that are listening to music and sipping libations.
RAL: Are there any lodging specials that are set up specifically for the event?
SLH: Astoria is rich with unique accommodations and stunning views. In Downtown Astoria, the Hotel Elliot, The Commodore Hotel, The Norblad Hostel, and even a few rental properties allow guests to walk to everything they need. The historic riverfront trolley takes guests from several other hotels into downtown and the festival, including the Astoria Riverwalk Inn who generously donates rooms for the bands playing at the festival.
RAL: Does this drive business to your local economy?
SLH: We invite all of our Brew Cup attendees to explore downtown and get to know our outstanding local brewing scene.
RAL: Does the event support a particular cause in the community?
SLH: The Brew Cup is Astoria Downtown Historic District Associations most important event of the year, helping to fund our community building and revitalization efforts.
RAL: Why should people come to your event?
CC: We have over 40 beers sourced from all over the Pacific Northwest, outstanding music, and breathtaking scenery. Plus, attendees will get to sample specialty beers that you can’t get anywhere else.
For more information about the Pacific Northwest Brew Cup, please visit the event website.