Astoria, Oregon

We spent this past weekend enjoying Astoria, Oregon and specifically Fort George Brewing's Festival of the Dark Arts.  This beer festival celebrates all things dark, especially, but not limited to, the beer.


There were artists, dancers, tarot card readers, magician, and stilt walking.  You could get a tattoo, participate in a speed noir fiction contest, or simply watch and drink.

Many of the beers were aged in bourbon or whiskey barrels and all of the beers we tried were excellent.

Some people went in costume.

















Astoria is the oldest American settlement west of the Rockies and has a rich history.  It sits at the mouth of the Columbia River where it meets the Pacific Ocean and gets almost 68 inches of rain a year!

It's a town full of fisherman, sea lions, antique stores, and bars.  In other words, a fine place to visit!

Sea lions are all over the docks in Astoria.  This has caused great distress to the local fishermen as the sea lions have ferocious appetites for fish.

This lovely group barked all night outside our hotel.

Tickets go on sale for the Festival of the Dark Arts in November and sell out quickly, as do the hotel rooms.  It's best to get your plans made if you want to spend a dark, rainy weekend drinking great beer and visiting with the sea lions.