Here is the Oregon beer news for Wednesday, the penultimate day of February. As usual, I’ll be periodically updating this post throughout the day with news as I find it, so check back often for the latest. And if you have news to share, please contact me and I can get that updated as well.

McMenamins Cornelius Pass Roadhouse (Hillsboro) is holding one of their “Roadhouse Beer Invitationals” today: Double IPA Fest II, from 6 to 9pm. “Join us for our Roadhouse Double IPA Fest Invitational! Like your ales hoppy? Double IPA’s are big (over 7% ABV) hoppy behemoths that show off the muscle of our Northwest hops. Along with our own brew, we’ll feature guest Double IPAs from other McMenamins brewers – we’ll compare the choices, talk with the guest brewers and hand out a People’s Choice Award for the best brew of the night!” They’re serving up four DIPAs, all of them 8% abv or higher, sure to be a McMenamins Hopapalooza tonight.

Belmont Station (Portland) is hosting Hillsboro’s Ambacht Brewing tonight for a tasting and meet the brewer from 5 to 8pm: “Brandy Grobart of Hillsboro based Ambacht will offer tastes of his Belgian inspired bottled ales including the Pie Cherry Dark Farmhouse Ale, Honey Tripel, and Ginger Farmhouse Ale (if you’re looking for a beer with a lot of Ginger flavor, as opposed to a Ginger Beer you’ve got to try this one!)” Great chance to learn more about one of Oregon’s lesser-heard-from breweries.

McMenamins Old St. Francis School (Bend): Tonight they have their own Imperial IPA on tap for “Curly’s Firkin” special tasting: The Aristocrat Imperial IPA. “February’s cask-conditioned firkin release at O’kanes is a “high class” brew.  The Aristocrat Imperial IPA has a delicate floral nose that alerts the senses to what fantastic flavors will come.  An easy malt build allows the mellow body to swim around the tongue before it succumbs to it’s indulgence of hops.  The Aristocrat continues with a lingering bitterness, not overpowering but still pronounced, and flows to a somewhat sweet yet crisp finish.  Lower in carbonation as is traditional for a Firkin pour this allows a mellow feel on the tongue as well as allows your taste buds to do the work rather than the bubbles of carbonation.  This Firkin has also been dry hopped with an abundance of Citra hops to insure that no hop flavor or aroma goes unnoticed.  Treat your taste buds like Royalty and enjoy!” It kicks off at 5pm and when it’s gone, it’s gone.

The Green Dragon (Portland): Tonight they have a Green Dragon Brew Crew release kicking off at 5pm, featuring an Imperial Stout: “Coming in over 90 IBUs, the aggressive hops are calmed by American Oak, while an abundance of Dark Chocolate and Crystal malts adds complexity, darkened by Black Patent, and strengthened by American Two-Row. Don’t let the smoothness fool you, this is a strong one you won’t soon forget, but may have trouble remembering. Specifications: 9.5% ABV • 94 IBUs • 36 SRM • BJCP 13-F”

Chehalem Valley Brewing (Newberg): This Friday, March 1st, look for their new spring seasonal ale, Snowmelt Golden Ale. No details yet but one to look for.

Pfriem Family Brewers (Hood River) has a new beer in their Farmhouse Series going on tap today at 5:30: “We’ll be releasing our new Saison coming in at 6.5%, 32 IBU’s and pairing it up w/ our *free* food tasting. Flavors of kumquat, guava & oh so rustic…like the barns of Wallonia!”

Heater Allen Brewing (McMinnville) has revamped their website, giving them a much-needed overhaul that looks good. I don’t think it’s complete yet—I would of course love to see more beer info, and the events page fleshed out with a calendar, and so on—but it’s definitely a great direction they’re heading in.