Thirsty Growler: Taprooms catch Halloween fever

Published 9:00 am Sunday, October 20, 2024

A friendly spider hangs off the deck at Fort George Brewery.

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:

Nightmare on Bond Street

Obelisk Beer Co., 598 Bond St., Astoria

Nightmare on Bond Street unfolds Friday — 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.

Boos & Brews

Sisu Beer Co., 133 Broadway, Seaside

Boos & Brews on Saturday 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, or free to Sisu Pint Club members.

Beast Bash

Ilwaco Cider Co., 116 Spruce St., Ilwaco

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 from 8 p.m. to midnight at the Long Beach Peninsula cidery, featuring music by Space Whales, a psychedelic rock band out of Olympia, Washington.

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.

The Spider’s Lair

Breakside Brewery, 1355 Exchange St., Astoria

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.

Hellorium

Fort George Brewery, 1483 Duane St., Astoria

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 decor.

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 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 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 corn dogs. Beer is also available, of course.

Brews & News

Work on Battery 245, Warrenton’s first craft brewery, is moving along, with the owners optimistic about starting brewing in December and opening a taproom in January.

The location is a leased building on East Harbor Drive near the city marina.

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