Quiet Pints & Coastal Bites: Two Shy Brewing Comes to Astoria
There’s something about Astoria that makes you slow down. It’s not just the coastal fog that rolls in like it’s got nowhere better to be, or the way the Columbia River hums with history just beneath the surface. It’s the town itself—weathered, stubborn, and full of stories you only hear if you’re patient enough to sit still for a minute. That’s the kind of mood I was in when I found myself wandering into the Astoria Hops & Hounds Festival last weekend—a modest little event by the waterfront where local breweries set up shop next to food trucks, live folk bands, and clusters of dogs in raincoats.
I wasn’t expecting much. Just looking to kill an hour before finding a bowl of chowder and heading back to the Airbnb. But then I saw a familiar name on a chalkboard menu: Two Shy Brewing Company. I stopped in my tracks like I’d seen an old friend across the room.
If you’re not from around Oregon, Two Shy is a small brewery based in Roseburg, a quiet town down I-5 most people just pass through on their way to somewhere else. I’d heard whispers about their beer from a buddy who lives down there—he’d raved about it like it was some secret fishing hole—but I’d never had the chance to try it myself. Until now.
The Beer: Honest, No-Fuss, and Full of Character
The guy manning the taps was your typical Pacific Northwest brewer: friendly, flannel-clad, with a beard that had definitely seen a few trail hikes. His name was Rob, and he poured me a sample of the Ginger IPA with the kind of confidence that doesn’t need to show off.
The first sip? Man, that hit just right. The ginger wasn’t overpowering—it crept in on the finish like the final line of a good punchline. The hops were bright but not aggressive. It had balance. I’ve had a lot of IPAs that swing too hard trying to be different, but this one felt intentional. Like it knew what kind of beer it wanted to be and didn’t give a damn if it wasn’t trending.
Next up, I tried their Pre-Prohibition Cream Ale, and I’ve gotta say—it was a quiet masterpiece. Light-bodied, with just a hint of grain sweetness, it tasted like something you'd drink after a long day of splitting firewood or working on your truck. Smooth, crisp, nostalgic. No frills. Just comfort in a glass.
They also had a Red Ale on tap—malty, slightly toasty, and just bitter enough to keep you honest. It reminded me of old-school pub beers before everything had to be barrel-aged or quadruple-hopped.
The Food: Flannel-Wrapped Pub Grub With a Coastal Twist
A few pints in, I needed to eat, and right across the beer tents was a local food truck called Salty Dog Kitchen—one of those places that serves “elevated fisherman food” out of a weathered Airstream. I ordered the halibut sandwich with crispy sea salt fries and a side of their famous clam chowder poutine—because if you’re going to lean into coastal indulgence, you might as well go all in.
The halibut sandwich was killer. Perfectly fried with a flaky interior, slapped between a toasted brioche bun with house-made tartar, fresh greens, and pickled onions. Crunchy, savory, a little tangy—it paired beautifully with the cream ale. Like they were made for each other.
But the chowder poutine? That was next level. Hot fries smothered in thick, creamy chowder, dotted with bacon bits and green onions. It shouldn’t work, but it does—like a weird dream you wake up from and wish was real.
I found a damp wooden bench overlooking the harbor, sat down with my meal and pint, and let the town’s foggy rhythm sink in. Tugboats moved like slow thoughts across the water. Seagulls fought over something in the distance. Somewhere, someone was playing a harmonica.
The Vibe: Small-Town Beer, Big-Hearted Flavor
Two Shy Brewing didn’t steal the show at the festival. No massive banners or gimmicky names. But that’s what made them stand out to me. Their beer was like a well-written novel you find in a secondhand bookstore—understated, quietly excellent, and full of depth if you take the time to sip slowly.
I asked Rob if they ever plan to expand or open a second location. He just shrugged and said, “We’re not really in a rush. We’re just happy making beer we’re proud of.”
That stuck with me.
Final Thoughts
If you’re ever passing through Roseburg or Astoria do yourself a favor and stop by the Two Shy taproom. But if you’re lucky enough to catch them featured at an event like this up the coast, hit them up. This brewery isn’t trying to impress the world. They’re just making damn good beer for people who still appreciate the craft in craft brewing.
