What’s brewin’ in the neighborhood?
Astoria Brewing Co.
reopens taproom
BY M.J. CODY
Astoria Brewing Co.’s Taproom on
12th Street is one of the newest incar-
nations for Astoria’s burgeoning craft
brewing business scene.
The taproom overlooking the brew-
ery, which has been closed during the
coronavirus pandemic, reopened last
week with a different configuration and
“with an exciting new director,” said
new manager Brad Kenoyer.
The popularity of microbreweries on
the North Coast got its jumpstart in 1997
when the family-owned Pacific Rim
Brewing took a chance with its four-bar-
rel craft brewery, in conjunction with
their other family business, Wet Dog
Cafe. Owners Karen Allen and Steve
Allen renamed their enterprise Asto-
ria Brewing Co. in 2014. That year, they
also added their children Andy Huber,
Mike Allen and Kera Huber, and man-
ager Mike McClure as co-partners.
The group expanded the business with
a much larger 15-barrel brewery and
taproom.
If You Go
Astoria Brewing Co. Taproom on 12th
1196 Marine Drive, Astoria
503-741-3037
facebook.com/astoriataproom
Brad Kenoyer
Astoria Brewing Co.’s pub, at 144
11th Street, operates as a separate entity
from the taproom.
John Dalgren, the company’s former
brewmaster, who created some of their
flagstaff brews, such as Poopdeck Porter
and Strawberry Blonde, is back on board
overseeing production.
“I’m so excited to be back in Astoria
among old friends,” Kenoyer said.
Kenoyer recently returned to the area
after spending time away working at
Grand Canyon National Park.
“I look forward to getting the taproom
up and going. I have so many ideas and
Karen Allen has been great to work with.
And having John here is the best. I can’t
wait to see what we’ll have to offer, like
seasonal selections and non-alcoholic
12 // COASTWEEKEND.COM
From left, Brad Kenoyer, Adam Arthur and Kathleen Rooen. Kenoyer is the new manager at the Astoria Brewing Co. taproom.
beverages too,” Kenoyer said.
“I guess I’m officially the manager,”
Kenoyer said. “Operator, manager, I
like to think of myself as a proprietor.
Like a friendly barkeep who welcomes
people with a, ‘Come on over and
relax, have a beer’ creating a friendly
living room sort of atmosphere.”
The taproom will have eight tap han-
dles, four of which will include Dal-
gren’s creations.
“I think it will really be a draw for
people to come in and taste what’s new.
Who knows what outrageous beer we’ll
come up with? In fact, I’m hoping peo-
ple will let us know about their favorite
‘undiscovered gems’ and we’ll try to
get them in,” Kenoyer said.
Reveille Ciderworks will be on tap,
plus two “small or obscure Pacific
Northwest craft breweries,” Kenoyer
said.
“We’re going to have ... all the crazy
little breweries like, Reuben’s, Eclip-
tic, Boneyard, Ascendant, Scuttlebutt
— cool, pale ales, hazy IPAs, differ-
ent varieties to contrast with others.
Then there’s the Pacific Rim tap featur-
ing unique breweries that might orig-
inate from San Francisco, San Diego,
Hawaii, Alaska, Japan, you name
it. The PNW and Pacific Rim selec-
tions will be one and done small kegs,
so once a particular brand is out, it’s
gone,” Kenoyer said.
The taproom will stay open mid-week
an extra hour later than most breweries
and pubs in town. Sports TV, bar snacks
and grab n’ go food will be available as
well. In the fall, the taproom will begin
to incorporate game and trivia nights,
music and live entertainment.
“At this point, we’re hoping to sur-
vive the summer rush and then be open
to everything and all suggestions,”
Kenoyer said. “I anticipate having so
much fun. It’ll be a place where peo-
ple will want to hang out and enjoy each
other and maybe discover new tastes. I
look forward to keeping everyone prop-
erly hydrated with beer.”