Looking for an excuse to go on a road trip? There are two upcoming events in Oregon that you should know about. Especially if you like big, dark beers. One is in Bend and the other Astoria.
High Gravity in the High Desert – This event is in Bend on Saturday, January 18. The High Gravity Extravaganza at the McMenamins Old St Francis School is a celebration of high gravity, big, dark beers. The event features beers from a number of Central Oregon’s top breweries alongside McMenamins’ offerings. Several of McMenamins breweries will send beers to the event.
The High Gravity Extravaganza runs from 1:00 p.m through 10:00 p.m with live music all along the way. I suggest staying at Old St Francis School, assuming they still have rooms available. If not, you’ll find plenty of other hotels and motels in town. My only advice, the Phoenix Inn and the Oxford Hotel are within a couple block of the event and are also very close to downtown.
A Carnival of Stouts – The second event is at Fort George Brewing in Astoria on February 15. The Festival of the Dark, a Carnival of Stouts takes over the entire Fort George campus and includes more than beer. How can anything dubbed a Carnival of Stouts be bad? The beer lineup is massive, impressive, and very dark. Beyond the beer, expect bellydancing, glass blowing, fire dancing, tarot card reading, and more.
Looking for a room? Click here for a list of the area’s hotels and motels. The Hotel Elliott and the Commodore Hotel are both nearby and highly recommended. So is the Norblad (aka HideAway Inn) if you’re looking for a budget-minded lodging experience within easy walking distance.
Here are more details about both events:
HIGH GRAVITY EXTRAVAGANZA
Jan. 18, 2014 – McMenamins Old St. Francis School, Bend, Ore.
In the spirit of Central Oregon, go big or go home! Step out and celebrate big, bold beers while basking in the crisp winter air at the High Gravity Extravaganza at McMenamins Old St. Francis School (OSF). This first-time event brings together high gravity ales from some of Central Oregon’s top breweries and McMenamins around the Northwest with a backdrop of snow-covered mountains, outdoor fire pits, rich comfort food and live music. BBQ specials like brats, pretzels, cornbread and chili will be served to satisfy big appetites, and live music will rock Father Luke’s Room from 3-10 p.m. Stop by the brewer’s corner to meet the makers, discuss technique or just share a couple pints with friends.
When: Saturday, January 18, 2014 from 1-10 p.m.; Meet the Brewers 2-5 p.m.
Where: Old St. Francis School, 700 Bond St., Bend, Ore., 97701
Beer: OSF’s head brewer Mike “Curly” White is joined by McMenamins brewers from around the Northwest, local Central Oregon breweries including Bend Brewing Co., Goodlife Brewing Co., Solstice Brewing Co., Smith Rock Brewing, Three Creeks Brewing Co., and Worthy Brewing Co., and a local home brewer to pour a variety of bold IPAs, Imperial Stouts, ESBs, Barley Wines and more. Complete beer list available here.
Cost: Punch pass with 10 (4 oz.) tastes is $12.50; individual tastes and commemorative pint glasses are available
Details: http://www.mcmenamins.com/events/120483-High-Gravity-Extravaganza
FESTIVAL OF THE DARK ARTS
February 15, 2014 – 2:00 – 10:00 pm. Fort George Brewery Campus
Throughout the entire Fort George campus, you can feast your senses on an array of dark art including the Dark Art Gallery, a blacksmith forge, tattoo artistry, glass blowing, belly dancing, cigar tent, fire dancing, stout inspired cuisine, tarot card reading, old fashioned photography and of course, Stout.
All ages are welcome – Admission is free – $10 for a Festival glass – $1 per sample
Fort George Brewery + Public House | Lovell Brewery Taproom and Showroom
See more at: http://www.fortgeorgebrewery.com/festivalofdarkarts#sthash.zUmcGEB1.dpuf
The Beer List (still growing)
HOUSE BEERS
FORT GEORGE LONG DARK WINTER MILK STOUT
FORT GEORGE POLISH’S BLACK WALNUT STOUT
FORT GEORGE VIVA LA STOUT
FORT GEORGE SPANK STOUT
FORT GEORGE SQUASHED STOUT
FORT GEORGE MURKY PEARL STOUT
FORT GEORGE COFFEE GIRL STOUT
FORT GEORGE CAVATICA STOUT
FORT GEORGE RUM BBL CAVATICA STOUT
FORT GEORGE RYE WHISKEY CAVATICA STOUT
FORT GEORGE RUMKIN STOUT
FORT GEORGE KENTUCKY GIRL STOUT
FORT GEORGE BETE NOIRE WHEAT STOUT
FORT GEORGE DARK MATTER STOUT
GUEST BEERS
DESCHUTES ABYSS
BLOCK 15 NEBULA
BLOCK 15 SUPER NEBULA
STONE wOOt STOUT
OAKSHIRE TBA
HOPWORKS TBA
SASQUATCH TBA
GIGANTIC MOST PREMIUM RUSSIAN IMPERIAL STOUT
FIRESTONE WALKER PARABOLA
FIRESTONE WALKER VELVET MERKIN
WIDMER (PILOT SYSTEM) MULTIPLE BARREL-AGED KGB
MCMENAMINS LORD SNOW IMPERIAL STOUT
MCMENAMINS CHERRY BOMB
GREAT DIVIDE CHOCOLATE OAK AGED YETI
WALKING MAN JAYWALKER IMPERIAL STOUT
EPIC BREWING BIG BAD BAPTIST
BONEYARD SUGE KNITE
PELICAN BBL-AGED TSUNAMI STOUT
BEAR REPUBLIC OLD BABA YAGA
ALESMITH SPEEDWAY STOUT
MIDNIGHT SUN MOSCOW
LOMPOC SOUR BBL-AGED STOUT
ANDERSON VALLEY WILD TURKEY BOURBON BARREL STOUT
BARLEY BROWNS DON VANUCHI
OFF COLOR/MIKKELLERBEER BEER GEEK MUS
BREAKSIDE SALTED CARAMEL STOUT
THE BRUERY GREY MONDAY
ELYSIAN BOURBON-AGED DRAGONSTOOTH STOUT
EVIL TWIN YIN
CASCADE DIESEL
MOA IMPERIAL STOUT
ALAMEDA SIBERIAN BEAR RIS
NINKASI TBA
BALLAST POINT SEA MONSTER
OSCAR BLUES TEN FIDY
PDX U-BREW CINNAMON CHOCOLATE MILK STOUT
LAGUNITAS BARREL-AGED CAPPUCCINO STOUT
BURNSIDE CHOCOLATE HABANERO STOUT