Friday 17th of February 2017 04:49:03 PM

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Rogue Ales.

Been around a long time in the Pacific NW. Known to beer geeks far and wide as one of the best breweries and certainly one to visit when in the area.

However, for those of us who live here, well...frankly...there's better beer.

Because Rogue has an established reputation, as well as a huge beer production plant, they can produce some pretty exotic and over-the-top brews...and they can be found everywhere! In liquor and grocery stores, guest taps, dive bars, upscale and DON'T-GO-IN-THERE restaurants. And in all fairness, I know a good many geek wannabes who began their beer journey sampling as many Rogue ales as possible. My first (way too many years ago to count!) was Shakespeare Stout. It holds a special place in my heart.

But no longer in my fridge.

Rogue has been doing this long enough and they've got the "show" perfected.

Whatever kind of beer you want...whatever kind of beer you can think of (Voodoo Doughnut Mango or Beard Beer with yeast from some guys whiskers? Anyone?) they either have it, made it or will make it. Just wait.

Given all we know, wife Persimmon and I visited Rogue's public house while in Astoria at the end of our see-the-USA-in-our-Chevrolet (well, Jeep actually...but that doesn't rhyme nearly as well!) travels cross country.

Getting there was fun! A stormy, windy, wet day and we were faced with a football field-length wooden pier...and some of those planks didn't look too steady. Experts know this apparently. That's why there is a 5mph limit on said pier. I was tempted to ask Persimmon to get out and push but the look on her face prompted my silence.

We made it across, to say the least and grabbed a seat by the window. The place sits on pile-ons so it's not "on" by "in" the Columbia River giving a grand view -- and sound -- of sea lions barking at each other. Across the way is a rock jetty where they gather to discuss the best fishing spot or perhaps the latest presidential lie. Either way, they're barking all day and all night long.

But back to the brew. What to choose? Dark Chocolate Stout? Marionberry Braggot, Barrel Aged Dead Guy? Sampled them all and then asked for the Shakespeare. (Told you I had a soft spot)

If you've never visited this one-time tuna cannery / now brewpub, do so. Wear a coat and explore the building.

There are other beers, breweries and brewpubs out there that are producing some amazing ales and lagers. But for sheer volume and variety, Rogue wins hands down.

Monday 11th of January 2010 07:54:48 PM

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Rogue’s Astoria pub has a very unusual pub location - a former Bumblebee tuna cannery on a pier on the Columbia River! The parking lot is out on the pier as well and you drive across bumpy wood to get there.

The space inside is quite interesting - essentially an old-fashioned warehouse with windows on two sides that has a double-height ceiling with a sloped roof. The bar is on the right; it’s a U-shaped square with seating on three sides. The bar surface is light wood with wonderful elaborate black and white drawings of nautical designs (shipwrecks, charts, waves, etc.). Odd tall metal chairs surround the bar and there’s an industrial metal pipe foot rest. The rest of the room has various tables and chairs for dining, and includes a raised section by the windows on one side. The floors are worn concrete, the walls are white with green trim, and the ceiling has exposed wooden rafters. In the back is another room with a pool table. There are also a few tables outside on the water (facing the land).

It’s the most interesting Rogue pub we’ve visited with a nice pub atmosphere that invites you to linger.

And as usual for Rogue, the beer selection is the best: 21 Rogue beers, 1 beer from Fort George Brewery (local), and Bud Light and Guinness.

Friday 3rd of October 2008 03:39:26 AM

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This Rogue Nation public house is located in a portion of an old cannery complex on a pier extending into the Columbia River. There is a good size bar and tall table seating area with additional table seating in a raised area looking out to the Columbia and an adjacent marina. Twenty three Rogue brews were on tap when we visited along with a half dozen guest beers. I opted for a Smoked Ale and a Wicked Frog Brown which were both tasty. The Brown went very well with the Beer Cheese Soup and Kobe Blue balls I picked from their varied menu. One word of caution, plan ahead for your potty visit because theirs are fashioned after the original cannery restrooms and are a bit of a trek from the pub. There is a large covered parking area inside the cannery building.