Here’s the news in Oregon beer and events for Tuesday, May 15, halfway through the month (already!). This is more of a single news dump as I may not be able to update later today, but check back occasionally just in case. And as always, feel free to send me news of any events to get posted!

Bend Brewing Company announced some recent changes, as part of its growth and build-out of a production brewery in the former North Rim Brewing space. From a press release on Brewbound: “Bend Brewing Company is poised for a big summer with the opening of a new production space, launch of 16oz cans, increased Portland distribution through Running Man Distributing and the hiring of a new Head Brewer. The new (canned) beers include Camp Beer, a highly sessionable low alcohol Cream Ale, Tropic Pines IPA, a Simcoe, Mosaic and Falconer’s Flight loaded West Coast IPA, and ExplOregon, a dry hopped lager. Bend Brewing Company has hired veteran Oregon brewer, Zach Beckwith, as Head Brewer to lead the 23 year old brewing company through this exciting phase.” Beckwith was previously with Three Creeks Brewing and then GoodLife Brewing, respectively, before joining BBC.

The Bier Stein (Eugene) is hosting “Flight School” with Aaron Brussat tonight starting at 6pm: “On Tuesday, May 15th join us for a Belgian beer focused “Flight School” with Aaron Brussat. Aaron is a certified Cicerone, beer blogger, and editor of the Northwest Brewing News. As you might guess, he has an extensive knowledge of beer. From 6:00 – 7:00pm Aaron will guide you through a flight of 4 Belgian beers while discussing the both simple & complex aspects of each one. Tickets are $15 and can be purchased in advance at the bar. We expect this event to sell out so don’t wait to grab yours!”

Belmont Station (Portland) is hosting Fort George Brewery for a tasting and Matryoshka Night from 4:30 to 8pm today: “Join us for a very special afternoon and evening with our friends at Fort George! We will be tapping four variants of their incredible Matryoshka Russian Imperial Stout:
2017 Matryoshka with cocoa nibs
2018 Matryoshka aged in Pinot Noir and Bourbon barrels with cocoa nibs
2018 Matryoshka aged on vanilla beans
2018 Matryoshka with vanilla beans and marionberries
Fort George will be pouring samples of their awesome lineup of core beers from 4:30-6 p.m. In addition to the fabulous four Matryoshkas we will be pouring, we also will be pouring Beta IPA 16.6 (the FINAL Beta before it officially becomes 3-Way IPA) and Fields of Green IPA!”

Deschutes Brewery (Bend): Tuesdays are Community Pints days at the Deschutes locations, where $1 of every pint sold goes to benefit a local non-profit organization. In Bend this month the brewery is benefiting Tour des Chutes, events that support children and adults with cancer. In Portland, the pub is benefiting A Hope For Autism Foundation. It’s a good day to head to the nearest Deschutes pub and help out with a pint or 3!

Oregon City Brewing has its weekly Charity Pint Night taking place tonight, raising funds for Angels in the Outfield: “Enjoy a pint, give hope to a child! OCB will donate $1 for every pint, taster, soda, crowler and growler purchased to Angels! The whole family is welcome and food is served until 9pm.”

McMenamins Fulton Pub (Portland) is hosting its Friends & Family Night starting at 5pm today, benefiting the  Metropolitan Youth Symphony: “on Friends and Family Nights, bring everyone you know out for burgers, beers, wine, cocktails, salads, sandwiches, tater tots, the day’s specials and more – because at the end of the night, 50% of the evening’s total sales are donated to the beneficiary! The more you order, the more is earned for a good cause!”

Sedition Brewing (The Dalles) has its Liquid Education Beer School session tonight, starting at 5:30pm; it’s a free event that covers a variety of beery educational topics, and accompanying beer tasting. Worth checking out!