Here is the news in Oregon beer for this Thursday, January 4. As usual, I’ll be periodically updating this post throughout the day, so check back often. If you have news to share, please contact me and I can get that posted as well.

Belmont Station is hosting Portland’s own New West Cider for a cider tasting and bottle release tonight from 5 to 8pm: “Come taste three different bottles of New West ciders:
True Love: Blackberries and Blueberries make this cider look beautiful in the glass and wonderful to sip.
Faith: Their dryest cider, letting the apples shine and bringing forward the subtle, earthy, elegant essence of what cider is all about.
Hope: A juicy blend of their wonderful Pomegranate and spicy Ginger cider, creating a well-balanced and flavorful glassful.”

There is a new “tap trail” in Mt. Hood Territory, the region west and southwest of the mountain itself marketed by Clackamas County Tourism & Cultural Affairs. From the release: “It’s no secret that craft beer in Oregon is serious business. There’s a new way to celebrate this liquid gold in Oregon’s Mt. Hood Territory.  Visitors may download the brand new Mt. Hood Territory Tap Trail mobile passport at omht.us/taptrail. The free year-long passport showcases some of the newest breweries in Mt. Hood Territory, as well as some perennial favorites, with discounts at participating businesses. In addition to discounts and access to new craft drinks, there’s one more passport perk. If you redeem a discount at 10 of the 13 participating businesses within a year, you earn a Mt. Hood Territory Tap Trail stainless steel pint glass, redeemable at End of the Oregon Trail Interpretive Center in Oregon City.”

Widmer Brother Brewing has their Thursday Tapping at their pub featuring Dark Perspective: “This week at Widmer Brothers, we’re featuring Dark Perspective (5.0% ABV, 35 IBU), a traditional Schwarzbier with rich malt character and a velvety smooth mouthfeel. This recipe was developed by Innovation Brewer Dan Munch, a.k.a. our resident master of traditional German beers. Nearly black in color with tinges of red, this beer is full-flavored, balanced, and surprisingly easy-drinking.”

Gigantic Brewing (Portland) is brewing up an oyster stout today: “Brewing our Nevørmind Oyster Stout with @nevorshellfishfarm oysters from Netarts today! Special release on January 30th for Thank God it’s Tuesdays in January #TGITIJ. Also be on the lookout around town during Shuck Portland Feb 2nd-9th”

Portland’s Occidental Brewing has some very interesting expansion news: “Occidental Brewing Co. is pleased to announce the opening of our new brewing facility in Sparks, Nevada. The Sparks brewery will produce Occidental’s lineup of German-style ales and lagers for Nevada market. Draft beer will be available through New West Distributing towards the end of January with cans to follow in the spring. We’re also happy to welcome long-time brewer Tim Mason to the team. Tim will be manning the brewhouse in Sparks. For those wanting a taste close to the source, we’ve partnered with Baldini’s Casino on the Occidental Taphouse Grill. Our beers are already available along with a new menu featuring pub favorites and some German dishes to compliment the brews. Keep your eyes peeled for news about Occidental events in the Reno/Sparks area!” Usually we hear about Oregon breweries expanding to other parts of Oregon—but congrats to Occidental on going lateral!