Barrel Baron Dave Coyne’s Pro-Tips for Festival of the Dark Arts
Dave Coyne was Fort George Brewery’s barrelmaster, head of R & D, and the man behind many of the darkest stouts and mystical creations featured at the annual Festival of the Dark Arts in Astoria, Oregon. Last year Dave left Fort George to start his own brewery, he didn’t go far, opening Obelisk Beer Co. a mere 9 blocks away where he makes everything from Hazy’s and Table Beers to the slow, time-intensive barrel-aged strong ales he’s known for. The 2024 Festival of the Dark Arts will be some people’s first experience, more so than usual since the event did not take place in 2021 and 2022, and has even more relevance since the cancellation of big brewfests like the Oregon Brewers Festival. To prepare for this seminal event, we asked Dave Coyne to share his pro-tips on getting the best out of your FoDA and Astoria, Oregon experience.
By Dave Coyne ….
The Festival of Dark Arts is a truly special event. It’s quite a unique beer fest that’s full of memorable art, lively performances, and world class stouts. Open at Noon and going strong until 10pm, this fest is a marathon, not a sprint. It takes a large group of hard working folks to throw the festival, and I'm proud to say I was able to contribute during my time working at Fort George Brewery. While I can’t say I’ve stood in the ticket holders line in the rain waiting to get in, I’ve had years of experience thoroughly enjoying all the decadence that Dark Arts has to offer. Here’s a few tips that I think will make the most of your trip out to Astoria. Whether you listen to all or none of my advice, I hope you have a blast.
1 - Safety First
Let’s get the obvious one out of the way. Pace yourself, hydrate, eat food, and have a plan to get home safely at the end of the night. It’s a long day full of big beers and even the most seasoned drinkers need to take it slow, drink water, and eat some full meals. Take advantage of some of the lower abv beers at the fest. Eat some of the killer food available on site. There are only a few cabs in town and they’re in high demand since Astoria doesn’t have uber/lyft, so either bring a buddy to stay sober and drive at the end of the day, or prepare yourself for a peaceful walk home.
2 - Plan for the weather
There’s a good chance you live in the northwest and are used to this, but it should be reiterated, bring a rain friendly jacket. Some years we’ve gotten lucky and had beautiful sunny days, but more often than not there’s at least some rain, if not a lot of rain. Mentally prepare yourself to have a good time stomping around in the rain. It’ll still be a blast.
3 - Hype
This is a really well curated beer fest consisting of some top notch breweries. You probably have a list of beers you’re gonna run straight to and check off the list. Don’t get me wrong, I do this to some extent as well, but sometimes those beers create massive lines and a lot of time invested in waiting when you’re passing on some really solid beers along the way. Maybe that line is a good time to hydrate with some water. Maybe that beer really was worth the wait. However, I suggest you try some other styles (err, versions of stouts) or breweries you don’t normally gravitate towards cause you’ll probably get a nice surprise. That being said, the more popular or hyped up kegs blow pretty early, and if those truly are the only beers on the list you care about then get to them early. Not every keg makes it to the end of the festival.
4 - Ebb and Flow
The crowd seems to ebb and flow throughout the day with some peak hours. I’m hesitant to list exact times and ruin somebody’s day by getting it wrong, but if the crowds are getting too congested for you just break away for a bit and come back. Chances are it’ll have alleviated and you can come back to a more spacious fest.
5 - Shows and Art
The Festival of Dark Arts originally started as an art gallery show with a nice selection of stouts. It’s slowly grown into a massive stout fest with an incredible selection of art. Take the time to check out the art installation, music, dancing, sculptors, or whatever other impressive artists and performers they have planned this year. Sometimes the artists have booths and sell their work. Sometimes they’re performing in the courtyard or on stage. There’s music going from beginning to end and always something to enjoy as you cruise around the block.
6 - Check out the town
As I said before, you need to pace yourself and taking a break is a great way to go. Have a walk and check out our beautiful little town! There’s lots of great food carts, restaurants, stores, coffee shops, and if you’re stouted out - other breweries. Stretch those legs, stroll along the riverwalk, and patronize some of our other friendly business in town. That being said, you’ve likely been drinking a lot. Please be respectful of the other business you go to and remember to drink responsibly.
7 - Come the Day After, or the day after that, or the day after that
After you've slept in, gotten some recovery breakfast in town, swing back to Fort George on Sunday. A handful of kegs are leftover from the festival and there’s a good chance they’ll have a tap trailer set up in the courtyard, as well as guest beers pouring in the taproom. The day after is also the release of the Matryoshka variants and it can get pretty packed in the morning, so Sunday evening or Monday would be a good choice if you want to avoid the crowds but still see what festival stouts are left. Fort George also releases new stouts all month long so there’s no shortage of stout variety whatever day of the month you’re able to make it.
8 - Make a weekend of it
Book your hotel for at least two nights and spend a couple days checking out the surrounding area and supporting other local businesses. There’s a bunch of amazing hikes and beaches around. Get a good view of the area at the Astoria Column on the top of the hill. Head up north to see the Long Beach peninsula. Take your dog to run around Fort Stevens. Burn off the beer calories at Saddle Mountain. There’s no shortage of things to do out here.
9 - Next Year
Too late for this advice to be any good this year, but if you want to come next year then book your hotel, airbnb, friend's guest room, or campsite ASAP. What happens if you book a spot and aren't able to get tickets? You can always volunteer! Volunteers are able to enjoy the fest after a short shift helping out. And as I said before, there are lots of stouts available to drink the day after the fest.
Obelisk Beer Co. and founders Nathan Lampson (left) and Dave Coyne (right)
10 - Most Importantly
Come check out Obelisk Beer Co! You’ll dig it. We'll be releasing two new beers, Wind Chimes - a double dry hopped extra pale ale, and Pharaoh's Horses - a helles lager. We also have some tasty ipas and tons of amazing collabs on tap, including two stouts if you want to keep that party goin. We have an outside seating area where you can hang with your dog. Kids are welcome until 8pm. Outside food is welcome although we do have some snacks if you don't require a full meal. We're opening early at noon during Dark Arts weekend and will be open until 9. Located at 598 Bond St. just a short walk from downtown. Can't wait to see ya there.
