Laissez les bon temps rouler! Today is Mardi Gras, Fat Tuesday, so get out your beads and pick a festive beer or two for the day! Here’s the Oregon beer news to accompany the fun. As usual I’ll be updating this throughout the day, so check back from time to time for the latest.

Worthy Brewing (Bend) is holding its monthly Charity Pint Night today and is raising money for Kôr Community Land Trust. “The first Tuesday of every month we host a pint night in support of a local charity or cause. From 4pm to close on the designated day of that month $1 of every pint sold will be donated to the chosen charity. We love our Bend community and love being able to give back and support a variety of great causes.”

Breakside Brewery (Portland) announced the release of a new beer to its year-round lineup, True Gold. From the press release: “A refreshing West Coast Golden Ale, True Gold is easy on the palate and a perfect, everyday “go to” beer for any time of year. The only new year-round brew that the brewery plans to introduce this year, True Gold made its way to this esteemed position in part due to its drinkability and approachability. Galaxy and Mosaic hops are balanced out with a light maltiness, resulting in a lager-like beer that is contemporary in its very light hop flavor sans heavy bitterness. The brewing team’s hope? That True Gold will bring back memories of falling in love with craft beer. ABV 5.1% / IBUs”

Deschutes Brewery (Bend): Tuesdays are Community Pints days at the Deschutes locations, where $1 from every pint sold is donated to a local non-profit organization. In Bend for the month of March, the Pub and Tasting Room will be benefiting Upper Deschutes Watershed Council. The Portland Pub hasn’t revealed its March beneficiary but I will report as I find out. Be sure to stop in for a pint or three today at one of the locations to help out!

McMenamins has several Friends & Family Night fundraisers taking place today starting at 5pm. During these F&F Nights, 50% of the night’s food and drink proceeds are donated to the specified organization.

• Boon’s Treasury in Salem is benefiting Cherry City Junior Roller Derby
• Old St. Francis School in Bend is benefiting Juniper Elementary School PTO
• John Barleycorns in Tigard is donating to Mitch Charter School

Oregon City Brewing has its Charity Pint Night starting at 5pm, benefiting Providence Foundations of Oregon: “Oregon Cancer Ski Out has been raising funds to end cancer for over 30 years. All of the money raised goes to the following local charities: Providence Willamette Falls Hospice, Providence Hospice of the Gorge, Camp Erin (A Providence Hospice Program), Knight Cancer Institute, Candlelighters for Children with Cancer, and Breast Friends.” $1 from every pint sold will be donated.

Little Beast Brewing (Portland) is canning its beers for the first time today, in preparation for a release tomorrow: “Canning day at the brewery – our first! We’re releasing Wild Island Hazy Brett DIPA in cans, a collaboration w/ Moksa Brewing, and Rhūs Jūs (Sumac & Elderflower Sour) in bottles at Little Beast Brewing Beer Garden tomorrow.”

Cascade Brewing (Portland): Tap It Tuesday kicks off at 6pm at the Barrel House, featuring Tropical Embers: “A collaboration with Beachwood Blendery featuring sour wheat ale brewed with smoked malt—a tribute to Beachwood’s reputation for renowned BBQ—then aged in oak barrels for up to 18 months with additions of whole pineapple and mango. This limited collaboration project offers a unique combination of wood smoke aroma and tropical fruit flavor.”

Central Oregon’s Braveheart Brewing—a contract brewing company that was initially working with Geist Beerworks—announced a contract brew partnership with Silver Moon Brewing. “Braveheart Brewing has reached an agreement with Silver Moon to have their four craft beers produced in larger quantity to meet demand in Oregon and California after signing on with Point Blank for distribution. Silver Moon will brew Braveheart’s POW MIA Pilsner, Semper Fi American Wheat, Intrepid Hero IPA and Frogman Imperial Red Ale brands at its Bend facility.” I don’t know if that means Geist is no longer brewing any Braveheart beers, or both breweries are. But look for Braveheart beers in the distribution pipeline.