Happy Thursday! The end of the work week is in sight! To get you through these last couple of days before the weekend, here are the news and events in Oregon beer for this January 11. As usual, I’ll be periodically updating this post throughout the day, so check back often. And if you have news to share, please contact me and I can get that updated as well.

The Bier Stein (Eugene) is hosting a tasting of Sierra Nevada Brewing’s new beers today from 6 to 8pm: “Try two of Sierra Nevada’s new hop-forward creations, Hazy Little Thing and Hop Bullet. We’ll have both on tap, and will be offering free samples from 6-8pm. Hazy Little Thing rides the current (and delicious, if we do say so) trend of hazy IPA. With Citra and Comet hops to finish, the tropical and citrusy hop characters we love will shine amid the haze. On the classic side, Hop Bullet is a double IPA that utilizes the wonderful bittering quality of Magnum hops and the aroma of Centennial, Cascade, Chinook, Magnum, and Crystal– the traditional lineup of citrus, pine, and herbal hops that made us love this stuff in the first place.”

McMenamins Edgefield (Troutdale) has their montly limited-edition tasting with the brewers taking place today from 5 to 8pm, featuring Mayan Apocalypse: “The latest in our Edgefield Barrel Series is a Three Rocks Rum Barrel Aged Nut Brown with cinnamon and chili peppers. Dark brown with a fluffy white head, this beer has aromas of spice, a little heat, and vanilla. Flavors of chilies, cinnamon, and rum pair well with the underlying bready character of the Nut Brown. Sit back with this great sipper and enjoy!”

Starting today and running through the weekend, Little Beast Brewing is the showcase brewer at Loyal Legion Beer Hall in Portland. “Come meet one of our good friends, and a great brewer: Charles Porter, owner of Little Beast Brewing. Talk beer, drink beer, life is good.  We will have all of their beer on tap for you to get to know as well, join us!”

Upright Brewing (Portland) is releasing a second bottling of Ives today: “This one is a blend of young and old beer on nectarines and is bottle conditioned and carbonated unlike the first one.” Looks like quite an interesting beer, no mention of price per bottle though. And, as of yesterday, they have their Spellbinder Pils back on tap for first time in at least 5 years: “This lager is hugely differentiated from the Engelberg, most notably by the heavy hand of saaz hops driving the aroma. The profile also shows more balance, with a bit of body as opposed to the light, bracingly dry Engelberg, but still showing plenty of hop bitterness, a hallmark of the style. 4.9%”

Belmont Station is hosting a tasting of canned cider with Portland Cider Company today from 5 to 8pm: “Portland Cider Co. welcomes in 2018 with a new cider to its lineup of 12-ounce cans and new, sustainable six-pack boxes. Sangria is the latest cider to hit cans just as the cider maker will move from recyclable plastic carriers to a six-pack box made of 100% recycled corrugated cardboard. Come sample Sangria and the other two Portland Cider Co. ciders that are now in cans.”

McMenamins 23rd Avenue Bottle Shop (Portland) is pouring a flight of Urban Family Brewing beers tonight from 6 to 8pm: “Seattle’s Urban Family Brewing strives to continually make innovative beers utilizing fresh ingredients, complex yeast strains and interesting hop profiles. We’ll offer a special taster tray featuring six of their amazing beers.”

And according to Jay Brooks, McMenamins Thompson Brewery in Salem opened on this day in 1990—marking this as the 28th anniversary of the brewery location! I don’t see any special events slated for the day but be sure to stop in anyway and enjoy a birthday beer.

Crux Fermentation Project (Bend) is releasing their latest seasonal (bottled) beer today, Coco(a) Stout: “New Year = New Beer! We’re excited for you to try our first in-season release of the year, COCO(A) STOUT! One sip and you’ll know why we call it “A Dessert-Like Stout”. But don’t worry, it’s not too sweet, just layered with flavor hits from the house-toasted coconut, vanilla beans, cocoa powder, and cocoa nibs. Not only will this tasty stout by on tap but we’ve also bottled some so you can bring it home!”

Hood River’s Full Sail Brewing has their January Brewmaster Dinner taking place today from 5 to 8pm. It’s themed “From the Top” and featured four courses paired with a variety of their beers, ending with dessert and Top Sail Bourbon Imperial Porter. Cost is $45 per person, call 541-386-2247 for reservations.

Montavilla Brew Works (Portland) has a beer release for their India Red Ale today: “Our winter seasonal returns this Thursday, the 11th at 3pm! We’ve redressed “Partyin’ the Walken IRA” with some exciting new hop combinations. Chock full of Horizon, Strata, Amarillo and Simcoe hops, this strong Red Ale is a dank and piney, spicy and citrusy lovefest! Come get it! 7% ABV 65 IBU”