TGIF and happy Friday! Here’s the roundup of news and events in Oregon beer for this first weekend of April, and don’t forget that Sunday the 7th is National Beer Day, commemorating the enactment of the Cullen–Harrison Act in 1933 that (re)legalized 3.2 beer and marked the beginning of the end for Prohibition by the end of that year. It’s also known as Session Beer Day as a nod to the 3.2% alcohol by weight (4% by volume) the Act allowed. So be sure to raise a glass to toast the day and the return of common sense on Sunday!

Friday, Apr. 5

The Portland Farmhouse & Wild Ale Festival begins, kicking off the weekend with its Friday VIP Session at Von Ebert Brewing’s Eastside Pub at Glendoveer Golf Course. Sessions on Saturday and Sunday follow, all celebrating farmhouse and wild and mixed fermentation styles of beer with a terrific lineup of breweries. Take note, each day features a different lineup of breweries in an invitation-style format, so you may just want to attend both days. In addition, The Ale Apothecary and Ruse Brewing teamed up to brew the official beer of the festival, Dreamscape, a blend of barrel-aged saisons. Tickets are $25 per day (for Saturday and Sunday) or $45 for both days.

Bend’s Brown Owl is hosting Monkless Belgian Ales to tap a special keg of Monkless’ latest beer, Curtain Closer. “Big night tonight! We have the only keg of Monkless Belgian Ales Curtain Closer and we’re throwing a party to celebrate its existence! We’re tapping the keg at 6pm.” It’s the “last keg” until Monkless can brew more, of course, and cans are still available. Curtain Closer is a massive 12% ABV “quintuple” (the next step up from quadruple) with chocolate nibs and raspberry.

The Growler Guys eastside Bend location is hosting Boneyard Beer for a Boneyard tasting night from 5 to 7pm: “Love Boneyard Beer? So do we! Come down for some of their oldies but goodies…. and MAYBE a few extra special brews! ;)”

Silver Moon Brewing (Bend) is hosting a Coffee Clatter event at its Redmond production facility in the morning, and I’m told, “We are hosting the site for Lauren of Ronald McDonald House, and will have beer-mosas and lots of good vibes.”

Saturday, Apr. 6

Block 15 Brewery (Corvallis) is capping its Oyster Week with its Oyster & Beer Fest taking place Saturday at both its locations as well as Caves Bier & Kitchen. “Oyster & Beer Fest is a showcase of unique oysters sourced freshy fresh from coastal regions around the country, each paired with beer from standout breweries from the same region. Each oyster will be offered in a raw preparation that allows regions and species to demonstrate their unique character.” It takes place from 2 to 8pm and looks to be walk in and pay as you go; beers range from $2 to $5 per pour, oysters $2 to $3 each.

Sunriver Brewing is holding the grand opening for its new Oakway Pub in Eugene on Saturday starting at 3pm. “Join us for the celebration of the Sunriver Brewing Co. Oakway Pub opening in Eugene, Oregon. The festivities include…
🍻A special beer made for the event called Howdy Eugene! IPA
🍺The launch of our 16oz limited release cans. The first of the series available during the party are Sunny D Hazy IPA, Parkes and Wreck Double Hazy IPA, and Howdy Eugene! IPA”

Bend’s newest brewery, Bevel Craft Brewing, is hosting its own grand opening party on Saturday, all day long! With 7 beers on tap, brewery tours of the new 7bbl facility, food trucks, disc golf putting games, and more, it’s going to be a good day for trying out the newest beers in town.

Reverend Nat’s Hard Cider (Portland) is hosting its 2nd Quinquennial Cheese Pairing Challenge from 3 to 5pm on Saturday: “Rev Nat’s, Upright Brewing and Cheese Bar present our Second Quinquennial Cheese-Pairing Challenge! Last held in 2014, we’re back for a rematch. Featuring: Tasting tools by 33 Books Co.; 5 beers selected by Upright Brewing; 5 ciders selected by me; 5 cheese selected by Cheese Bar; With discussion from the brewer, cidermaker, and cheesemonger, tasting notes, and a smackdown vote at the end. All for $30!”

And speaking of cider, the Cider Rite of Spring returns on Saturday, taking place at the Leftbank Annex in Portland: “Cider Rite of Spring is a celebration of the blossoming Northwest Cider industry— an annual cider tasting event welcoming the return of spring, featuring over 100 unique ciders served by over 30 different cidermakers and cidery representatives in beautifully renovated historic event space, the Leftbank Annex in NE Portland. The Rite of Spring will be bigger than ever in our new location and include a special VIP hour from 12-1 plus a unique VIP lounge throughout the day. There will also be a pop up store where guests can purchase cider to go.” Tickets are available for purchase online here.

Belmont Station (Portland) is hosting the release party for a collaboration beer between Grains of Wrath Brewing and Trap Door Brewing on Saturday from 1 to 4pm: “Here’s the deal: GoW (Grains of Wrath) and Trap Door made the same base IPA in their respective breweries. One made it hazy (Trap Door) and the other made it a straight-up Northwest-style IPA. We get to try them both side-by-side in the biercafe and there will be some cans available to take home. Members from both brew crews will be on hand for the celebration!”

RiverBend Brewing (Bend) is releasing Blunder Armour IPA at On Tap food cart lot in Bend on Saturday: “Big Corporate business is killing the American Dream, one small company at a time. Our friends at Cascade Armory are receiving Cease and Desist orders from clothing giant, Under Armour, claiming brand infringement. A portion of proceeds of this beer will be donated to Cascade Armory in an effort to help them fight this expensive legal battle and ultimately keep their doors open. Blunder Armour IPA will be available on draft and available in cans to go all day Saturday, April 6.  The owners of Cascade Armory, Alex and Diana, will be here to share their story and showcase their clothing line.”

Roscoe’s (Portland) is tapping some special 10th anniversary beers from Upright Brewing on Saturday: “Join us this Saturday as we celebrate Upright Brewing 10th Anniversary! We will have some great uptight beers on tap including their 10 year Anniversary Saison and Foeder Doppelbock.”

General News

Crooked River Brewing (Prineville) has been functioning mostly as a pub and taphouse for other beers since opening, but today posted an update—finally getting in some brewing equipment! “Brewery is on site! We’ll be setting up our new 6 Barrel system as we prepare to begin the brewing season that never ends! Come check it out!”

Modern Times Beer (Portland) has a new hazy IPA on tap: “NOW POURING: Green Futures. This transcendently refreshing 6.8% hazy IPA started with a base of pilsner malt and some flaked & malted oats. Then, we hopped the bejeezus out of it with Nelson, Strata, Centennial, & Simcoe hops, yielding a ridiculously tasty straw-colored beverage with notes of pineapple, candied berries, and a touch of honeydew, with just a touch of bitterness in the finish to tie the whole thing together. We’d be pretty shocked if you didn’t dig it. This one is exclusively at Belmont, and quantities are limited.”

Buoy Beer of Astoria reports on its Resilience IPA fundraising proceeds: “Thank you to everyone who came out and drank some Resilience IPA! Together we raised $16,321 for the Sierra Nevada Camp Fire Relief Fund.” Fantastic!

Dirt Road Brewing (Corvallis) has a new beer out: “Introducing our brand new Tilted Double IPA! This is a double IPA loaded with Cascade, Centennial and Simcoe hops that bursts with incredible citrus and pine aromas with a huge dry grapefruit finish. Coming in at 9%, there is only a slight hint of booze, but a malty finish to balance.”

The new Werner Brewing of Tillamook also has a new beer release: “Official New Release Alert! The result of our use of the blackberry puree from Oregon Fruit Products: Werner Brewing Co.’s Blackberry Wheat! This fruit beer has a hazy amethyst color and features a berry-tannin finish. We love the refreshing tartness and recommend pairing it with Werner Beef & Brew wings or salad bar. Stop by the Beef & Brew to give it a try – Now on tap!”