Fort George Brewery Introduces a New, Year-Round IPA
I won’t call it a trend — three data points don’t make one — but this marks the third time recently that I’ve reported on a Northwest brewery adding a new year-round beer to its core lineup. As far as trends go, the broader craft beer industry has been leaning hard into the taproom experience, where new releases, variety, and rotating taps tend to thrive. Grocery store shelves, by contrast, favor familiar, always-available labels, and sales in that channel have been less than stellar lately.
Against that backdrop, Single Hill Brewing, Breakside Brewery, and Fort George Brewery are doing something different. Last month, Single Hill made a roster move, replacing a year-round IPA with a fulltime Pale Ale. Breakside rolled out a new year-round West Coast IPA a couple of weeks ago. Today it’s Fort George’s turn: the brewery just added Island Towns IPA, a tropical IPA, to its year-round lineup.
Setting Sail For an Island Town
Fort George describes Island Towns as “a Tropical West Coast IPA as bright and aromatic as an island in the sun.” Great, now I’ve got that catchy Weezer song stuck in my head.
“Astoria, Oregon, the home of Fort George, might not technically be an island, but it can feel like an island sometimes,” said the release announcement. “Not the lonely, isolated John Donne sort of island (that no man is), but a cheerful, welcoming, community-rich island. Surrounded by water on three sides, Astoria is diverse and ecologically unique with its own culture and custom. Island Towns aren’t always out of the way – this one is easy to visit. Wherever you are – you’re just one pint away.”
“Like the town it was brewed in, Island Towns isn’t just a summer destination. In a new, year-round 6pack, this Tropical West Coast IPA is lush, a little sweet, and perfect for activities in any season. If you’re ready to escape the crush of city life, if you’re ready to go a little slower, enjoy your time on Astoria Island with Island Towns.
Island Towns IPA is brewed with a mix of cutting-edge, fruit-forward hops like Superdelic and the bold, citrusy West Coast flavor of Citra and Chinook. “Modern brewing science and warm sandy beaches, ripe tropical fruit on the breeze and a refreshing citrusy breeze off the Pacific – it’s a brand new, year-round Tropical West Coast IPA from Fort George.”
The brewery will host some release parties in the coming weeks across the Northwest:
You can find more information at FortGeorgeBrewery.com as well as updates and details about Island Towns release parties all over the Pacific Northwest:
- 8-21 – Release Party – Asylum Spirits in Portland
- 8-25 – Release Party – Noble Hop in Hillsboro
- 8-27 – Release Party – Red Hot in Tacoma
- 9-1 – Release Party – Beach Hut Deli in Bend
- 9-9 – Release Party – The Barn in Albany
- Get Island Towns IPA online.
For more news about recent beer releases, visit the Washington Beer Blog’s New Beer Releases page.
