Happy Earth Day! This is the day to raise a “green” beer and also raise awareness of environmental issues and support those breweries taking the lead on earth-friendly issues and brewing. The first event listed below is a good start, and I’ll be looking for Earth Day related news throughout the day with the rest of the Oregon beer news. I’ll be updating this post throughout so check back often.

The Bier Stein and Ninkasi Brewing of Eugene are teaming up today for a Pints for a Cause Earth Day benefit all day long: “Bier Stein and Ninkasi have teamed up to donate $2 per pint to benefit McKenzie River Trust. McKenzie River Trust helps people protect and care for the lands and rivers they cherish in western Oregon. For more information, visit https://www.mckenzieriver.org/. This event runs throughout the day in celebration of Earth day! For extra fun, join us for a chance to design a custom Ninkasi hat from 5-8pm”

Belmont Station (Portland) is celebrating its 22nd birthday today! “We’ve partnered with four Oregon breweries to brew four special beers to mark this 22nd trip around the sun — three are available on draft and in cans and one is draft-only. We’re kicking things off with a tapping of a gravity keg of Rosenstadt Maibock at 1 PM. Then, the party continues at 5 PM when Wayfinder comes in to tap another gravity keg, this time filled with an unfiltered version of Tasties.”

This weekend, the annual Nano Beer Fest returns to John’s Marketplace in Portland, taking place Friday, April 26 through Sunday the 28th. “This year we have several new breweries joining the event and the NBF will again feature 50+ beers, made by some of the newest members of the local craft beer industry! This year, Loyal Legion is sponsoring a “People’s Choice,” where attendees vote for their top picks and Loyal Legion will bring in the top 10 on tap in May! Once again, the event will be held at John’s Marketplace, one of Portland’s finest beer stores and there will be food available from Urban German. There will be more vendors than ever including Beer Soap, CBD teas, leather goods, cycling outerwear, F.H. Steinbarts and more. Individual participation cost is $20 for a keepsake logo glass and 10 beer tickets PLUS a special ticket to try a 3-way collaboration beer from the 1st , 2nd and 3rd place winners from the 2018 NBF judging.”

McMenamins Blue Moon Tavern (Portland) is hosting a Friends & Family Night benefit to raise money for Forest Park Conservancy tonight from 5pm until closing. “On Friends and Family Nights, bring everyone you know out for burgers, beers, wine, cocktails, salads, sandwiches, tater tots, the day’s specials and more – because at the end of the night, 50% of the evening’s total sales are donated to the beneficiary! The more you order, the more is earned for a good cause!”

Vagabond Brewing (Salem) is growing: “Running out of beer is never a good thing! That’s why we got some bigger fermentation tanks. Thank you for sticking with us and supporting us as we grow! Stop by, grab a pint and take a peek in the brewery and check out the new gear!” I’m terrible at determining tank sizes from photos, but those could maybe 20-30 barrel fermenters?

And Vagabond’s Portland location also brought in tanks over the weekend: “We got a special delivery late Saturday night. 5 of these tanks now live in our soon to be brewery space in Portland. Like if you are ready for our brewery to be up an running.”

Cascade Brewing (Portland) has its newest beer out to start the week: “Introducing Ocean Views! Start your week off with a first class ticket to a tropical place — metaphorically speaking. El Dorado, Cascade and Ekuanot hops create this tropical hazy pale with notes of pineapple and citrus.”

This isn’t news per se, but for this Earth Day I thought it would be a great reminder that many breweries are now recycling drop stations for PakTech six-pack holders—those are the plastic snap-on holders that affix to the top of the cans. These are already environmentally friendly because they are made from recycled plastic milk jugs, so instead of throwing them out, view the list of recycle centers on that link to find one near you (there are quite a number of Oregon breweries on that list, and 10 Barrel just announced today at recycling station at its locations).

Ochoco Brewing (Prineville) is tapping a firkin keg today! “It’s almost quit’n time and we’re firkin sick of Monday! So we’re tapping a Firkin of IPA. Come on down!”

Bend’s Boss Rambler Beer Club just hosted its grand (re)opening of its westside tap house location this weekend, and has an update on its hours now that it’s open for business: “We look forward to many more good times and beers together. On that note, the Beer Club is officially open for business! Our hours to kick-off are: Mon 3pm- 9pm, Tues Closed, Wed – Sun 11am – 9pm. We can’t wait to see you soon!!”

Double Mountain Brewery (Hood River) is partnering with Zupan’s Markets to release the eighth Farm-to-Market beer in its private label line. From the press release: “Featuring the BottleDrop Refillable bottle, this package is made and reused in Oregon. Created with ingredients from the Pacific Northwest, this IPA includes notes of tropical fruit and kind herb for a perfect mix of sustainability and drinkability.Made of thick-walled glass which protects the beer from light, this bottle is the most sustainable choice in the beer aisle. Return this bottle to any BottleDrop facility. Or return the bottle to any Double Mountain Taproom or Brewery and Double Mountain will buy you a pint (limit 1 pint per customer per day.) This IPA is currently on shelves at all three Zupan’s Markets locations in 500 ml bottles for $5.99. With only 150 cases produced, this beer will only be on shelves for a limited time.”