…is going to be light this week, I’ve got a number of other things going on. I’ll have some general posts going throughout the week but not the regularly-updated Oregon beer news posts. In the meantime, here’s a bit of a rundown of what you can expect to see around Oregon this week:

The North American Organic Brewers Festival kicks off this weekend and starts on Thursday, a day earlier this year. It takes place in Overlook Park in Portland, and focuses exclusively on organic beer and sustainable, environmentally-friendly practices. It’s in its ninth year, and has grown to become one of Oregon’s marquis beer festivals; and like the other big ones (say, the OBF), the admission is free and the standard pricing applies for beer drinkers: $6 for the glass, $1 per token for which 1 token gets a sample and 4 get the full pour. Plus: “Patrons receive a $1 discount toward the tasting glass with one of the following: a validated Tri-Met ticket, a ticket from the on-site fenced bike corral, or three cans of food for the Oregon Food Bank.”

Also this weekend Rogue Ales and The Green Dragon in Portland is holding what may be the first ever Great American Mead Festival, on Saturday and Sunday the 29th and 30th. (Apparently it’s also their 1st annual Oregon Honey Festival which seems a bit confusing as they’re sharing a space but have different fees.) “The 2-day street fair event will celebrate bees, the honey they produce, and all the beverages and foods created with it. Admission includes taster tickets for meads, beers brewed with honey, honeywine, foods cooked with honey, and other honey related items. There will be lots of activities including honey-related contests, workshops, music and numerous vendors with foods all made with honey. All ages are welcome.” The $10 price includes 4 taster tickets.

Heater Allen Brewing in McMinnville is having a soft opening of their new taproom this weekend; here are the details they posted on Facebook: “The taproom is finally opening! We will have a “soft opening” this Friday/Saturday (June 28-29) to figure out how everything will work and what else we may need. Come by anytime from 12-6pm and have pint or a taste or fill a growler (bring your own though, ours have yet to come in!). We will then be closed for the Fourth of July weekend and open back up July 12/13!”