Seaside Civic and Convention Center, 415 1st Avenue
Mid-March
www.pouringatthecoast.com
With its title an effective play on words considering the oft-wet weather on the Oregon coast in March, Pouring at the Coast is billed as the “perfect pairing of brew and beach.” That claim might be arguable, considering how well a regional microbrew pairs with the beach on a sunny summer day, but this craft beer celebration has rapidly gained momentum as one of the north coast’s most fun and relaxed brew festivals.
Pouring At The Coast Seaside – Top USA Festivals Photo Gallery
Pouring at the Coast still remains a bit under the radar, like a secret you’ve discovered that you can’t wait to share with just a few close friends, and the perfect sojourn for ale aficionados who enjoy seeking the state’s quieter and less commercialized beer festivals. Pouring at the Coast annually attracts as many as thirty local and regional breweries pouring dozens of ales.
A central stage features ongoing live music; numerous large tables allow attendees to sit down, relax with a beer, and chat with fellow microbrew fans; food vendors serve a variety of local fare. A modest two-tiered entry fee (three beer tickets or ten beer tickets) includes a souvenir glass, and additional beer tickets are available for a few dollars each.
The event typically begins in midafternoon and ends around 8 pm. As the ales flow downstairs during the festival, a homebrew competition rages upstairs, with winners announced at the end of the show; the rules are posted on the event website. Finally, Pouring at the Coast bestows a People’s Choice award to the favorite beer at the event as voted on by attendees; thus far, two Northwest standouts—GoodLife Brewing (Bend) and Wild Ride Brewing (Redmond)—have each earned first-place honors twice.
Although Seaside can be a busy and bustling tourist destination—and why not, considering its big, broad, beautiful sand beach and the wonderful boardwalk running alongside it, not to mention many fine eateries and interesting shops—parking is usually unproblematic. Adjacent to the convention center, a large free public lot easily accommodates the Pouring at the Coast crowd. Street-side parking is likewise abundant.
