Happy Monday! Today is National Absinthe Day, not a beer holiday but I’m sure some brewery out there has done something with beer and absinthe. While you’re exploring the Green Fairy, here’s the Oregon beer news for this March 5. As usual, I’ll be periodically updating this post throughout the day with the latest news as I find it, so check back often. If you have news to share, please let me know and I can get that updated as well.

The 5th annual Cider Rite of Spring returns this Saturday, March 10, to the Left Bank Annex in Portland. It takes place from 1 to 6pm and serves as a fundraiser for the Northwest Cider Association. From the press release: “The event features more than 100 ciders served by cidermakers and cidery representatives from around the Pacific Northwest. Tickets are available at http://www.merctickets.com/events/50888130/cider-rite-of-spring-2018. Cider Rite of Spring showcases ciders that are either made for the event, aren’t available locally, or are limited run, giving attendees the chance to taste ciders they wouldn’t normally be able to access. General admission tickets cost $30, which includes a commemorative tasting glass and eight drink tickets. Most ciders cost one ticket per three-ounce taste, although some may cost more. Additional tasting tickets are available onsite for $1 apiece.”

Speaking of cider, Portland’s Cider Riot! announced the introduction of “Flagon Thursdays” to kick off March. From the press release: “In celebration of the return of Plastic Paddy™ Irish Style Cider, Cider Riot!® is introducing discounted flagon fills of any standard cider at the pub every Thursday. Wondering what a flagon is? Flagons are the traditional vessel for cider, ranging in size and construction. In Ireland the classic flagon is a two-liter. We call the flagon an action growler, as it won’t break like glass, and is the perfect size to share with friends and family, translating to 67 ounces, or just larger than a growler. A two-liter holds 4.2 US pints. On Flagon Thursdays, you get a pint and a flagon for $20, a $24 value! If you don’t have time for a pint that’s ok, because flagon fills are quick and on Thursday a fill will only cost you $15. Prefilled flagons of Plastic Paddy are available for only $12.” It’s not totally clear to me if this is only for the month of March (with St. Patrick’s Day) or year-round, but check it out this month at least.

The fourth annual Baker’s Dozen Fest is taking placing this Sunday, March 11, at Ecliptic Brewing in Portland. This event features coffee, beer, and doughnuts for an ultimate breakfast brewfest, starting at 10am. There will be 13 of each to sample, and you’ll get a souvenir glass as well. “Admission includes samples of ALL the above! Tix are $28 online, $33 at the door. 21+ to drink; all-ages welcome.” Tickets are available online here, get ’em while they last!

The Three Mermaids Public House in Tigard is celebrating its second anniversary this week, running from the 4th (yesterday) through Sunday the 11th. The pub features 33 taps of beer, cider, and wine, and has a slate of events lined up each day this week:
Monday 3/5 at 7pm – Trivia with Monkless Brewing and PDX Trivia
Tuesday 3/6 at 7pm – Bingo with Nectar Creek Mead
Wednesday 3/7 at 5pm – Wine Tasting with David Hill Winery
Thursday 3/8 at 5pm – New Buoy Beer Release Party
Friday 3/9 at 5pm – Tap Takeover with Swift Cider
Sunday 3/11 at 11:30am – Customer Appreciation Day: All tabs = 10% off

Pints Brewing (Portland) has a new beer on tap for your Monday: “Even Bretter Than IPA. Featuring a Brett strain Alan brought back from his studies in Germany and a strong malt base and a tropical and citrusy combo of Loral, Citra, Motueka, and Columbus hops.”

Freebridge Brewing (The Dalles) also has a new Monday beer on tap for you: “It’s exBEERimental Monday, and do we have a treat for you! Our head brewer, Sarah Resnick, teamed up with Bryan at 10 Speed Coffee Hood River for this delicious brew. 10 Speed Coffee Schwarzbier is a black lager with a touch of roast, accentuated by fruity Ethiopian Yirgacheffe cold brew. This special Schwarzbier was brewed for the SheBrew festival!”