Astoria's Lupulin Fest: A Sensory Celebration

IPA aficionados convened in Astoria on Saturday, June 13, for the annual Lupulin Ecstasy festival. This vibrant celebration of craft beer, held on the historic Flavel House mansion lawn, paid homage to India Pale Ales and the aromatic lupulin found in hop flowers. The event drew a crowd eager to sample a wide array of brews, with many expressing a fondness for Fort George's 3-Way IPA and Structures Brewing's Nelson Fuzz.

The festival's ambiance was enhanced by live musical performances from groups including Family Worship Center, Blind Pilot, and Pura Vida Orquesta. Attendees also indulged in a variety of culinary offerings, from Hawaiian bowls to artisanal pretzels, all while enjoying the festive atmosphere. The historic Flavel House, a Queen Anne architectural gem dating back to 1886, provided a picturesque setting for the gathering.

Surrounding the mansion, the festivities extended to include the Oregon Film Museum and nearby parking areas. These spaces were enlivened by attractions such as a large inflatable eagle, diverse food carts, and attendees mingling with commemorative festival glasses. The scene, dotted with blankets and lawn chairs, unfolded beneath an ancient Sequoia tree, a silent witness to decades of Astoria's history and the present-day enjoyment of hop-forward beers.