It’s not beer related, but April 12 is Yuri’s Night AKA International Day of Human Space Flight, the anniversary of the first human space flight by cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin who flew to space on this day in 1961. While not apropos to Oregon beer news, it’s a cool event to commemorate with a space-themed beer (something from Ecliptic Brewing perhaps?). In the meantime, here’s the weekend beer news, which I’ll update throughout the day on Friday so check back in for the latest.

Friday, April 12

Portland’s Hair of the Dog Brewing is releasing several of its beers in cans for the first time, and Belmont Station is hosting the can release party from 5 to 8pm Friday: “Join Hair of the Dog founder and brewmaster Alan Sprints and his son, brewer Isaac Sprints, as we celebrate the release of their first cans: Blue Dot IPA, Green Dot Imperial IPA, and Polka Dot IPA. We will have all three pint cans available in the bottle shop to take home and, in the Biercafe, we will be pouring draft of all three versions plus a special keg of Mutt’s Nutts, aka Bourbon Fred aged two years in the barrel. Alan and Isaac will also be raffling off some fun HotDog giveaways!”

McMenamins 23rd Avenue Bottle Shop (Portland) also has an IPA can release all day Friday as well, for Captain Neon’s Mango Double IPA: “This hazy, hoppy, tropical orange ale is back. Get a taste of this concoction, made with hundreds of pounds of mango puree, and grab a 4-pack for the weekend. This rare specialty won’t last long! This hazy, orange ale is a hoppy concoction brewed and dry-hopped with Amarillo, Citra, Mosaic, and Chinook Hops and mango puree from Oregon Fruit Products. A powerful medley of bold tropical fruit scents and flavors elevate this Double IPA to a higher plane.”

The Civic Taproom (Portland) is hosting its 2nd Annual Breweries of the Gorge Tap Takeover this weekend, starting 5pm on Friday and running through Sunday. “Come join us as we feature 8 Breweries out of the Columbia River Gorge from both Oregon and Washington. Friday April 12th we will have representatives from Dwinell Country Ales, Ferment Brewing and Full Sail Brewing here to talk about the beers and what the breweries are doing!”

Lompoc Brewing (Portland) is hosting a special beer release at Sidebar starting at 4pm: “Last October, we hid a Golden Ticket in a six-pack of Lomporter for one lucky recipient to win a brew day at Lompoc Brewing. Mark Buscher was the winner, and we’ll be releasing his beer this Friday, April 12 at 4pm at Sidebar. Red Runner is a dry hopped red ale that’s crimson in color with a slight bitterness and a malty backbone. Enjoy notes of citrus, pine, and spice in this delicious red ale.”

10 years of Upright Brewing continues this Friday at Hoplandia taphouse with a birthday party: “Upright just celebrated their 10th Anniversary and we are throwing a party to celebrate their milestone! We will be featuring a few new beers they’ve made as well as a couple of our annual favorites. Alex & Bobby from Upright will be joining us in the festivities and will be available to chat about their beers!”

Portland’s The BeerMongers is hosting McMinnville’s Heater Allen Brewing for the release of Das Bier Kolsch in cans: “We’re delighted to be able to present something we’ve all been waiting for, 16oz cans of Heater Allen Kolsch. Lisa will be on site to answer any beer related questions you may have.” Friday from 5 to 8pm.

Tumalo Cider Company is opening up its new tasting room Friday to kick off the weekend. “Our new address is 64654 Cook Ave, Tumalo 97703. Come see us and try our new, tap room only cider! It’s a red flesh apple from Hood River infused with rose-hips.”

Saturday, April 13

Pelican Brewing (Pacific City) is opening up its Tillamook brewery on Saturday for its 2nd annual Beer + Cheese event: “We teamed up with Visit Tillamook Coast to bring you Beer + Cheese, a unique pairing event on Saturday, April 13th! We will have breweries paired with creameries to create unique and delicious pairings for you to sample. Not only will you get to enjoy delicious food and drinks, you will also get an exclusive behind the scenes look at our brewery and the brand new canning line! All proceeds from this event, will go to Tillamook’s own Food Roots.” (From Facebook.) It runs from 11am to 3pm and costs $15; additional details are here.

Belmont Station will have Westmalle Dubbel on tap for apparently the first time ever on Saturday: “For the first time ever, kegs of Belgium’s prized Westmalle Dubbel have made it to America. And we managed to get one! Join us for this momentous occasion as we enjoy one of the world’s most iconic Trappist ales on draft. The first folks who order a Westmalle will get a beautiful Westmalle glass to take home — while supplies last! There’s only one keg, and when it’s gone, it’s GONE. So make sure you get here early!”

ColdFire Brewing (Eugene) is hosting a Taste vs Flavor Sensory Class Saturday starting at 11:30am, a ticketed with only 15 available seats. “There’s drinking a beer, and there’s tasting a beer. In this class, learn to distinguish between taste, flavor, aroma, and mouthfeel. Dial in your palate to improve eating and drinking skills! All ages can be accommodated with advanced notice. Part One: tasting through the palate tastes, determining the difference between aroma and flavor. Part Two: Drinking spiked Beers [or soda!], can you pick out the off-taste??” Tickets area available online here.

Upright Brewing‘s tenth year celebration tour continues Saturday at Arch Bridge Taphouse in Oregon City: “Upright brewing has been providing the good people of Portland with well crafted, innovative beer for a decade now! To help them celebrate we will be pouring some of our favorite Upright Beers, along with a couple of brand new beers, including their first foeder aged beers! The guys from Upright will be stopping by for a beer as well.”