Happy Valentine’s Day! If you’re looking for Valentine’s beer ideas, might I suggest something dark and chocolatey? Or lighter with fruit? Or a combination? At any rate, here’s today’s beer news from around Oregon, which I will periodically update throughout the day. If you have some news to share please contact me and I will get it updated.

Hopworks Urban Brewery (Portland): Sanjay over on the Not So Professional Beer Blog reports that Hopworks has received approval and is getting ready to can their Organic IPA! I don’t know if this was previous news that I missed but I find it really exciting for HUB and canned craft beer in general. The cans will be 16-ounce “pounders”, similar to the ones Fort George and others are releasing, and Sanjay has a nice image of the approval HUB IPA can label over on his blog; it looks good and those cans will definitely stand out on the shelves.

Speaking of Fort George Brewery (Astoria), this Saturday the 18th as part of Stout Month they are holding their “Festival of Dark Arts: A Carnival of Stouts” from 2 to 10pm: “Stout Beer Fest and festival of all dark arts.  The Festival of Dark Arts is sure to appease all the senses.  Over 15 Stouts to taste, all of which not previously showcased in Stout Month!  The Fest is ALL AGES/FREE ADMISSION.  $8 for festival tasting glass.  $1 a taste.  Also for your senses will be: Belly dancing, fire dancing, fire eating, a live blacksmith forge, on site tattoo artists, dark cuisine, music, tarot card reading, and a HUGE art show featuring some of Astoria’s great artists showcasing their “dark art.”  This is not your Mom’s beer fest.  This is an all day Stout Carnival.” They have an absolutely fantastic tap list lined up—if you’re anywhere near Astoria on Saturday, get thee to the Carnival!

Cascade Brewing (Portland): One week from today, Tuesday the 21st, Cascade is holding Tart Fruit Extravaganza, celebrating tart fruits and tart beers: “We are presenting an amazing lineup of 29 fruit beers; many of these are Live beers from the Tap It Tuesday series that are returning just for this event, plus a few vintage barrels. The beers will remain on tap for one week or until the keg runs dry. On tap when we open that day at Noon: Winter Gose, Raspberry, Blueberry, Cranberry, Kriek, Apricot, debut of The Vine 2011, Pater, Nightfall, Sang Noir, Gluh Kriek (hot), Nouveau Noyaux, Sweetartz and Live Chocolate Raspberry.” And then at 5pm, the “Blender” taps open with an even more amazing list of beers, ones like Fruit Loops, Apple Pie, Rhubarb Crisp, and more. Sour beer lovers will NOT want to miss this event.

Meanwhile, Cascade’s Tap It Tuesday is an appropriate Valentine’s Day pour: “Chocolate Raspberry, a special blend just for the lovers. Soft chocolate and raspberries greet you in the nose, while light tart chocolate and a delayed note of raspberries linger on the palate. A dry chocolate finish with hints of raspberries leaves you wanting to snuggle down and spend the evening with the object of your beer affliction.” That goes on tap at 6pm.

Worthy Brewing (Bend): Chad Kennedy announced big news on Facebook today: “It’s official. Worthy Brewing Co. will hold a grand groundbreaking ceremony at 3PM on Friday, February 24th at our site. You’re all invited but please rsvp.” Great news! I’d love it if they were able to open the brewery and beer garden in time for summer…

GoodLife Brewing (Bend): Check it out, they’re getting ready to release their flagship Mountain Rescue Pale Ale in bottles! Based on those cases they’re 22-ounce bombers, and according to their post should be hitting stores soon.