Vortex
Fort George Brewery + Public House

L - clear golden malt west coast goodness here. Solid head, decent spotted lacing as it descends. MORE.
S - maybe my least favorite aspect of this outstanding beer; a weird almost Chanel perfume like aspect to this beer (what hop does this?) but otherwise, pine, malt, sea coast forest scents dominate. Reminds me of an old CCC hop blend beer, other than that perfume.
T - Fantastic - like the PNW version of Cumbre's Elevated - a beer that can be a flagship WCIPA at any great brewery. I'd make the trip to Astoria just for this beer. In fact, I intend to.
F - Great balance, mouthfeel, CO2 use, all deft - nothing out of sorts here. Could it feel richer/bitter, sure... but this is also 7.2% in this 2023 iteration, not the stated 7.7 on the beer listing.
O - One of the best PNW style beers I've had in a while, just hits my lane.

 

 

 

So good in the hotel watching baseball

 

 

16oz draft

Pours over a finger of white head into a Willi. Retention is great and a finger of head remains after a few minutes. Lacing is wonderful. Body is dark gold, high clarity, with a modest nucleation. Looks very nice.

Nose is mostly citrus. A little one-dimensional, but smells fine.

Flavor is similar - citrus rind, some malt that comes out more over time. Tastes like a nice old-school IPA.

Carbonation is relatively mild. Body is medium. Pretty standard bitterness for an IPA, ie hops have fucked me into submission and I have no frame of reference for bitterness anymore. Just kidding this gets pretty bitter as it warms. Touch of sweetness. Solid mouthfeel.

Drinkability is good enough.

Overall a solid IPA.

RB Transfer

From Good Times Oakland, canned March 24th 2025.

Pours a clear gold with lively carbonation, huge and growing head of foam. Excellent retention and lacing.

Smells of the double dry hopping, big citrus, floral, toasted malt is there.

Taste is fruity hops, citrus, some caramel malt sweetness, pretty lovely bitterness. Dry but yet a little bit juicy.

Slick medium bodied, this is satisfying.

 

Crystal clear, golden yellow body; sparse carbonation; thick head, white and frothy while leaving sticky rings of foam inside the glass. Very faint aroma; a bit of pine resin. Clean and balanced taste; mild cracker and biscuit malt notes; light toasted bread crust; bold hop bitterness; peppery hop flavor. Medium body; sharp and crisp on the palate; light dryness throughout.

This is a very, very good India pale ale. It exudes the best attributes of a west coast styled IPA. Balanced and tasty plus very easy drinking.

ABV: 7.2%; pouring temperature: °F; canning info: DOB 11/27/24 #979
Source: local purchase (Coaltrain Fine Wine, Craft Beer & Spirits)

Thought I already had rated this beer as have had numerous times. Pours a light golden color with a nice medium white head. The aroma is citrus and slight piney with a good malt backbone. I have used this as a go to when other beers didn't sound good, because I know this one is good. Rated 4-12-2023

On draft at Henry's in PDX. Poured a clear, golden orange color with a small, off-white head of foam. It left sudsy rings of lace. It smelled of grapefruit, orange, pineapple, caramel and resin. Sweet tropical fruit taste with toasted caramel and a piney bitterness.

 

Draft at Fort George

A- pours a clear golden color with a one finger creamy white head that has great retention and leaves plenty of lacing behind

S- zesty citrus, pine, bready malt undertones, a hint of grassy hops

T- piney and citrusy hops up front with notes of tangerine, grapefruit zest and resinous pine. Mid-palate gives a slightly sweet malty note, the finish gives more tangerine with a well balanced linger

M- medium body with medium carbonation leads to a creamy mouthfeel that continues into the finish

FORT GEORGE -Vortex IPA
Pour with a medium head and a fruity nose. Big flavor of grape ,grape skins, grapefruit and juniper with a dry finish and some bittering . It’s a Good beer which I would recommend.

 

I’ve been enjoying this beer for many years now, I took a small break from IPAs, but revisiting this one now, and it’s as enjoyable as I remembered. I love the piney, resinous taste that has an assertive bitter linger. Jiust enough malting sweetness to add to the party, but not overly so. This brew is solid, and the Cosco price, freshness, and availability bumps up the points, a classic that is well deserved as highly rated

Poured from a 16 ounce can into a tulip glass.

Look- Medium gold, moderately hazy, plentiful visible large particulate, frothy white head, average head retention and lacing.

Smell- Grapefruit, clementine, pine resin, between medium and high strength of scent.

Taste- Pine resin, grapefruit, clementine, high strength of flavor.

Feel- Between medium and full body, average carbonation, moderately high bitterness, mildly creamy, mildly dry finish.

Overall- This was a fantastic beer. I have no idea what took so long for me to try this West Coast IPA. This is the best readily available flagship beer I have had the pleasure of drinking.