I skipped yesterday in part because I was judging beer at Bend’s Pine Tavern beerfest (see below), but we’re back with the Oregon beer news for this final day of September. As usual, I’ll be periodically updating this post throughout the day with the latest news, so check back often for updates. And if you have news to share, please contact me and I can get that updated as well.

The Pine Tavern PT80 Beerfest Challenge took place at Bend’s iconic restaurant yesterday, and it was a fun time—I got to judge 16 of Central Oregon’s best IPAs to help select the winning beer that gets a dedicated tap handle at the restaurant all next year. The winner by a narrow margin was Silver Moon Brewing, for their IPA 97. Redmond’s Wild Ride Brewing was running up with the people’s choice (narrowly beaten out in the taste-off between that and the Silver Moon). I’ll be looking forward to future such events, which I believe the Pine Tavern would like to do annually.

McMenamins Cornelius Pass Roadhouse (Hillsboro) has their monthly Roadhouse Beer Tasting going on tonight, and this month they are highlighting fresh hop beers. This Fresh Hop Celebration is featuring three fresh hop beers: Centennial Fresh Hop IPA, Barrel Hopped Squeeze Play IPA (“We took our crisp, summer-style IPA and put it into a used Billy whiskey barrel and packed it full with Centennial hops fresh from the field”), and Dry-Hopped Thundercone. I would happily enjoy samples of those! The tasting is from 6 to 9pm tonight, definitely one not to miss.

Double Mountain Brewery (Hood River) will be opening up a satellite taproom in Southeast Portland, according to the New School in a story they broke this morning: “Double Mountain Brewery will bring all that they are famous for into a fairly large brewpub satellite location within 6 months or so. While they will not be brewing on-site, you will be able to purchase kegs, preview some barrel-aging, and of course enjoy a pint. The full gourmet brick oven fired pizza menu… will be making the jump… and the space will be bright and airy, bringing the full Hood River experience to Portland.” That will definitely be something to look forward to.

Corvallis’ Flat Tail Brewing is celebrating their 5th anniversary and tonight in Portland Saraveza is helping them party with the only release of their 5th anniversary ale coming to Portland. The beer is a Saison named “Menage Brah” and the description is wild: “So what better way to celebrate five years of making beer, than to make a special batch with a little sumthin’ from each of our best bro’s. From Phil Lorenz of Nectar Creek Honeywine, Corvallis wildflower honey lends notes of blackberry and honeycomb. Jonagold Apple juice from Lee Larsen of 2 Towns Ciderhouse adds a Graff-esque aroma of fresh pressed apples and hints of white wine grapes in the finish. Last and certainly far from least, we acidified our mash using lactobacillus soured carrots from Joel “Carrots Are The New Hops” Rea of Corvallis Brewing Supply.” The party is from 6 to 9pm and one to hit!

McMenamins Crystal Ballroom (Portland) has a special beer tasting at Ringler’s Pub tonight from 5 to 9pm, featuring Amarillo Fresh Hop Ale: “The Crystal is expecting a delivery of 50 lbs. of freshly harvested Amarillo hops. The day and demand will determine what kind of beer it will be. An IPA? Hoppy Brown Ale? Cascadian Dark Ale? Stay tuned, and come for the special release Wednesday, September 30th at Ringlers pub!”

McMenamins Tavern & Pool (Portland) also has a special beer tasting tonight starting at 5pm, featuring School Daze Altbier, from Gresham’s Highland Brewery: “A German Altbier to end the summer. One of few beers where the origin is known. Made originally in Dusseldorf, Germany. Fermented like a lager, while using Ale yeast. Allowed to crash for several days to get a clean, clear, color. A crisp beer, not primarily made for any time of the year. Hopefully, this beer can become a staple for beer drinkers of the Highland Brewery.”

Rock Bottom Brewery (Portland): Tonight from 5:30 to 6:30pm they are featuring “Beer Floats Galore!”: “That’s right, we’re mixing beer with ice cream! An awesome combination that shouldn’t be just be saved for dessert.” I suppose that means they’ll combine any of their beers with any of their flavor of ice creams?

The Bier Stein (Eugene) is tonight featuring “Patty’s Playhouse Hoppy Beer Tasting” from 5 to 7pm, with Springfield’s (and Eugene’s) Hop Valley Brewing: “The brewer at Hop Valley’s original Springfield location, Patrick Whiting, has been putting out a steady flow of creative beers, in both traditional and unique styles. We’ll be putting on a handful of hop-forward examples of his wares, come check them out! The first 24 flights sold will come with a free pint glass to take home. Our rep Brandon will be here sampling Light Me Up Lager and Pale Ale cans.” Check the event page for the beer list.

The Green Dragon (Portland): Tonight’s Green Dragon Brew Crew release is featuring 7Cs IPL: “Here in the Pacific Northwest we love our hops. We grow them here, we pick them here, we try to cram as many as possible into a single glass of beer. It’s with that in mind that the Green Dragon Brew Crew dreamed up the recipe for 7Cs IPL. Seven varieties of Northwest hops (Cascade, Centennial, Citra, Columbus, Crystal, Chinook, and Cluster) together in one brew that was lagered to a brilliant clarity.” Starts at 5pm!