Beer Touring Astoria and Beyond
Written by Kendall Jones / Published by Washington Beer Blog
Most beer travelers around the Northwest fail to think of Astoria, Oregon as a worthwhile destination when planning their beer adventures. People imagine Fort George Brewing to be alone in the wilderness, but that is no longer the case. In fact, Astoria’s best-recognized brewery is not the city’s original brewery (Astoria Brewing holds that title) and Fort George has never been alone. Recently, new breweries have popped up on both the north and south sides of the mighty Columbia River and this micro-region is now even more worthy of attention from beer gypsies, with six breweries waiting to be explored.
Enjoy Downtown
Let’s face it, the greater Astoria area offers other breweries to visit, but staying within easy walking distance of Fort George Brewing is probably a good idea. That’s why I recommend staying downtown. There are several hotels within walking distance of the brewery and downtown Astoria still enjoys a small town vibe. We recently stayed at the Commodore Hotel, which is just two blocks from Fort George Brewing. There is no shortage of old-world charm and comfort at this recently remodeled historic hotel. Nearby, the Norblad Hotel and Hostel offers a similar lodging experience and is right across the street from the brewery. At both, the room prices vary and you can save a few bucks if you opt to share a bathroom down the hall.