PNW Stouts

It seems to me that a thread about PNW Stouts would be incomplete without a mention of Fort George's Festival of Dark Arts up in Astoria, which offers nothing but stouts. Big stouts, little stouts, sweet stouts, dry stouts, guest stouts, barrel-aged stouts, stouts with adjuncts, you name it. The event usually coincides with Valentine's Day/Zwickelmania, and the wife and I have always enjoyed attending. Even in 2014, when Astoria was buffeted by 70 mph winds and sideways rain.

 

I'd have thought the festival was especially enjoyable for you and Mrs. Vurt that year, after you had to drive through such conditions to get there, and as they continued to rage outside. After all, isn't it axiomatic that one's appreciation for dark beers naturally increases in direct proportion to the inclemency of the weather?

I'd have loved to have gone that year. The camaraderie of those who made it to the coast, and the quality of everything sampled, must have seemed especially fine. I hope the weather is even worse for you next month, should you elect to return.

 

A few thoughts:

"Necrobump" is a new portmanteau for me, and I really like it, even as I am simultaneously vaguely repulsed. Also I don't recall seeing Dormancy on tap here in Seattle last year, but, being fairly obtuse, I may have just missed it. Finally, if it shows up this year, I will send a crowler, along with a jar of mayonnaise, to @beertunes. I will do so without any expectation of reciprocation.

 

Oh, there would be reciprocation.

 

But you don't know what I hate. Other, perhaps, than negativity.

 

I don't need to know. I have some very particular abilities.

 

Silver City also just released a new stout called Time Traveller. It's really good.

Edit: I just noticed it's under the "limited" and "barrel aged" categories on the site.

 

Pretty sure necrobumping is illegal in most states.

 

Iron Goat has a Cherry Chocolate Stout that clocks in at 8.5% right now. Both the chocolate and cherry flavors are relatively understated, especially the cherries. A little sweet but not too much so, with no hint of the alcohol, but a body a little too thin for my tastes.

 

Why, WHY, must IG taunt me?

 

I'll keep an eye out for any kegs going to Growler Guys. Seems the only way around IG's to-go policies.

 

For those who see Black Raven, they just released a new winter seasonal in 22 oz bottles and on draft: Feather Weather Mocha Stout. Brewed with Theo's cocoa nibs and Anchorhead cold-pressed coffee, those additions are definitely predominant, aroma and flavor-wise, in this relatively light and noticeably dry stout. A very nice new offering, according to my tastes, but if you're anti-dark chocolate and anti-coffee, it might not be your cup of...um...beer.

 

PDX & Washington received bottles today. Some bottle shop in Maple Valley and Edmonds received it today. I haven't seen anything for Seattle yet

Fort George Brewery ‏@FortGeorgeBeer 2h2 hours ago
Get it quickly Washington. Matryoshka is extremely limited.

 

An absolutely stellar BA imperial stout from Fort George. Had a tasting of it side by side with Oskar Blues BA Tenfidy today at Chucks CD and the Fort George was the victor!

 

You know i just had a bomber of Siren's Sound from Bridgeport.
And for $5 it was pretty damned good,'9% and smooth and not a hint of alcohol.
My type of RIS..cheap and easy!!

 

Rusty Nail was the best of the line up....so smooth and coconut forward!

 

I had Rusty Nail at Chuck's CD yesterday, and it was the best stout I've ever had. It tasted like a literal black forest cake to me. Tons of chocolate and cherries.