Fort George’s new year-round brew – Scatter Plot, a West Coast Pilsner
Astoria, Oregon is the oldest American settlement west of the Rocky Mountains, being founded back in 1811. The city was temporarily renamed Fort George (after King George III) while under British control during the War of 1812. And then, nearly 200 years later in 2007, Fort George Brewery + Public House was founded.
They have appeared twice before on Belt’s Beer Garden but most recently was all the way back in 2020. So I thought it was time to bring them back on and check out one of their newly added staples – Scatter Plot – which was made a year-round brew just a few months ago, in January of 2024.
Scatter Plot is a West Coast Pilsner brewed with three varieties of malt (2Row, Carafoam, and Pils) and a trio of hops (Citra, Mittlefruh, and Mosaic). It features a decent 5.8% ABV and has a $6 price tag for the 16-ounce can.
This WC Pils poured a deep golden color with a bit of haze. About two fingers of eggshell white head built up and hung around for a little bit. As it dissipated there was some solid lacing left down the glass, with thicker rings indicating each sip mark – tracking my progress through the pint.
The aroma was quite dank and hoppy. Honestly I was a little shocked at how much the hops led the smell. Outside of the dankness, there hops added some pithy citrus peel while the grist offered up some bready qualities and just a touch of caramel.
Each sip begins with a creamier mouthfeel, while the body is a little heavier than most Pilsners. There’s also a small flash of carbonation before the flavors really hit.
Up first is some candied lemon and a bit of tangerine. That dank characteristic from the smell is almost nonexistent in the flavors. Instead, a bit more of the grains come through and add some cereal-like sweetness and breadiness.
Around the midway point the flavors begin to subside while the bitterness slightly increases – the hops making sure you remember their in here.
All the flavors quickly fade away, leaving a twinge of bitterness, some dryness, and a grapefruit peel and lemon zest coating on the tongue. Those last for a few moments before finally fading away as well.
It’s a rather light beer and doesn’t actually sit too heavy at all. It’s very crisp, very crushable, and quite hoppy.
If you like IPLs, hoppy brews, or day drinking, you can’t go wrong with this one.
