Happy Monday! I hope you’re ready for the week or at least getting through the day. Here’s the Oregon beer news to help you through; as usual, I’ll be periodically updating this post throughout the day with the latest news as I find it, so check back often. If you have news to share, please let me know and I can get that updated as well.

Belmont Station (Portland) is hosting the bottle release of Three Magnets Brewing’s Howards Blend today from 5 to 8pm: “Three Magnets Brewing of Olympia, WA, releases Howards Blend (A blend of Major Tompkins Oatmeal Imperial Stout & Russian Imperial Stout aged 13 months in bourbon barrels). We will have a small amount of this beer in bottles so limits will apply. Also we will be pouring “Oh Boy” Double IPA.”

The Oregon Hophouse IPA Challenge continues throughout the month, taking place at both Hophouse locations in Portland. “We (and our customers) curated a flight of 12 top Oregon IPAs. We have a blind test in both Hawthorne Hophouse and 15th Avenue Hophouse, where you can come in and try to identify each beer and match to a list. Get six or more right and win prizes, like hoodies, shirts, growlers, gift cards, etc.
You’ll take the Challenge in the pub, get your results instantly, and either hide in shame or have bragging rights for years to come. And you’ll pick your favorite of the twelve (blind) and that beer will be our only permanent tap at both Hophouse pubs for the entirety of 2018.” Stop in and challenge your IPA senses!

This Saturday, January 13, is the 5th annual High Gravity Brewfest at McMenamins Old St. Francis School in Bend! From 1 to 8pm, the OSF will host over two dozen breweries from Central Oregon as well as other guest McMenamins breweries, all pouring high-gravity, strong beers and ciders to stave off the winter chill. This is a fun, intimate fest around the property, and from 1 to 5pm or so you’ll have a chance to meet the brewers as well. The beer and cider list is posted here, so make sure to check it out and make plans to be in Bend on Saturday.

10 Barrel Brewing (Bend): Starting yesterday, January 7, their original pub on Bend’s west side will be closed through at least March 9 as it undergoes renovations. From the press release: “Renovations will include a full kitchen overhaul, new retail display and entrance, restored flooring, and more, but most importantly, a new bar and draft system to serve even more amazing beers. But, don’t be discouraged! 10 Barrel has procured “The Beer Belly” food truck, which will serve beer and food in the interim, open Thursday-Sunday each week, beginning on Thursday, January 11th. In addition to great food and beer specials, pub guests can play cornhole and life-sized jenga while staying warm by the fire pit. 10 Barrel’s new Eastside full-service pub will continue to operate under the normal hours, so guests wanting to grab a beer and a meal indoors can head to the Eastside pub location on 18th Street.”

Freebridge Brewing (The Dalles) has a new beer on tap today: “‘Glad to rake your acquaintance!’ Willie’s Wee Scotch Ale is on tap today for ExBEERimental Monday! See you at The Mint!”

Ecliptic Brewing is holding the release party for their new Phaser Hazy IPA tonight at the iconic Kelly’s Olympian in downtown Portland from 6 to 9pm: “Come out and get hazy with us! Join us in celebrating the release of another phenomenal seasonal beer from one of Portland’s top breweries! Start the year off right by grabbing a delicious pint of The Phaser Hazy IPA, from Ecliptic Brewing! Enjoy 4 awesome Ecliptic Brewing beers on tap, Happy Hour prices, DJ Sicario throwing down the tunes & 1 KICK ASS seasonal beer!”

Baerlic Brewing (Portland) has their first canned beers releasing tomorrow (Tuesday): “Our first canning run went swimmingly and we are over the moon about our release tomorrow! Dark Thoughts Black IPA & What the Fluff NE Style IPA releasing tomorrow/Tuesday January 9th at 4pm in our taproom!”