Here is the Oregon beer news for this penultimate day of May, Wednesday the 30th. (Almost June already!) As usual, I will periodically update this post throughout the day, so check back occasionally for updated news items. And please feel free to send me any news as well, so I can get it posted.

McMenamins Cornelius Pass Roadhouse (Hillsboro) has its monthly limited-edition beer tasting taking place today from 6 to 9pm, featuring Papantla Stout, from the Hillsdale Brewery: “Papantla is the name of the city in Mexico where vanilla was first discovered. It was cultivated by the ancient Totonacs, who had a tale of how the plant came to be. It’s said that an unruly king slain two lovers, one of them his own daughter, and the first vanilla plant sprouted in the place where blood soaked the ground. This Stout was endowed with that very vanilla, raspberries and cinnamon.”

Portland’s (relatively) new Von Ebert Brewing is giving away wort free today to AHA members, in preparation for the upcoming National Homebrew Conference next month: “We’re getting the Homebrew Con party rolling early by giving away 5 gallons of FREE wort to AHA members at the Von Ebert AHA Rally. Take the wort home to ferment, and bring your finished beer to Homebrew Con, June 28 – 30 at the Oregon Convention Center.” The giveaway takes place from 6 to 8pm tonight, and space is limited to RSVP here.

The Suttle Lodge at Suttle Lake (northwest of Sisters in the Deschutes National Forest) is hosting the first of this summer’s Wednesday Night Cookout beer and food events this evening, starting at 5pm. Laurelwood Brewing is the featured brewery. “We’re rolling out the Traeger for our Wednesday Night Cookouts on the Big Lawn! Grab your favorite people and bring them up for food, drinks, sunsets, lake vibes, lawn games and sometimes music. We’ll be grilling up local meats on the Traeger and the Beer Garden will have some choice selections from one our of favorite breweries- Laurelwood Pubhouse & Brewery they’ll be there too pouring something special for you. No RSVP required. Dinner tickets and drinks available for purchase first come, first served.”

Saraveza (Portland) is hosting Royale Brewing and Coalition Brewing for the release of their latest collaboration ale: “Celebrate conservation and good beer with Royale Brewing and Coalition Brewing’s newest collaboration with the Oregon Brewshed Alliance Wednesday, May 30th from 6-9 PM. This collab, a Belgian-inspired Pale Ale, showcases both breweries commitment to conservation. Pure clean water is a hallmark of the Pacific Northwest and is the main reason we’re able to create and maintain such a vibrant brewing culture.”

Wayfinder Beer (Portland) is tapping a new beer today: “[Today] Kevin is tapping “Inner Light,” a heavenly Belgian Pale imbued with spicy styrian savinjski, perle and hersbrucker hops. Sparkly conditioned. 5.2% ABV 48 IBU”

Portland Cider Company releases its seasonal Pineapple Cider this week: “Summer is almost here, and with it comes the release of Portland Cider Co.’s beloved Pineapple Cider in 22-ounce bottles. Sweetened with fresh pressed pineapple juice, this seasonal cider is like a sun filled day at the beach; it might as well come with a little paper umbrella. Portland Cider blended fresh pineapple juice from Costa Rica to its cider after fermentation to reach the perfect balance of sweetness. With a semi-sweet finish, this six-percent ABV fruit cider pairs beautifully with barbacoa pork quesadillas, Asian chicken salad and, of course, traditional Hawaiian foods like mac salad and Kahlua pork.” Look for the release party on Saturday at the cidery’s Clackamas tap room.