Here is the news from Oregon’s beer scene for Thursday, January 7, 2021. It’s been a strange 24 hours, so here’s hoping this gives you a bit of a break; I’ll be updating this post throughout the day with the latest, so check back in occasionally. Also feel free to reach out and contact me if you have any news to share!

Boneyard Beer pub closed indefinitely due to COVID-19

Unfortunate news from Boneyard Beer, which announced yesterday the indefinite closure of its Bend pub due to an employee testing positive for COVID-19.

We were just notified one of our pub employees is sick and is getting tested for COVID-19. This employee has not been on shift since last Saturday, 1/3. While we are unsure of how or when this employee got sick, understand that we take this very seriously. In an overabundance of caution, Boneyard Pub will be CLOSED until further notice. It is important to us to ensure the safety and health of our guests, staff and community. Please stay tuned on our socials and we will #letitbeknown when we are back up and running.

While certainly not great news, kudos to Boneyard for handling this properly.

7 Devils Brewing opens new heated patio

In other pub/dining news, 7 Devils Brewing of Coos Bay announced the opening of its new heated patio space for outdoor dining.

Our patio is finally open for seating!! We now have 7 heated, covered tables for all-season outdoor dining! And our Winter menu starts today. Check it out!! https://shar.es/ao6bpE

New beer from ColdFire Brewing

Over in Eugene, ColdFire Brewing dropped a new hoppy, hazy IPA yesterday: The Plush Concept IPA.

“Plush Concept” Brewers and Brothers, Stephen & Dan find themselves once again looking to cross boundaries of what “IPA” means to us now. In an attempt to create the best flavor concepts comes Plush Concept. This somewhat dry, somewhat resinous IPA does just that. Massively hopped with Cryo Hops, this IPA has big tropical and citrus flavors, but has built in layers of classic hop character.

Rogue Ales releases its 2021 beer schedule

Newport-based Rogue Ales revealed its beer lineup for 2021 today, with several new beers in the schedule along with packaging updates. A new imperial IPA, sour ales, and Nitro Shakespeare Stout are among the highlights. More details are here.

MadCow Brewing to open a taproom in Gresham

The New School reports today that nanobrewer MadCow Brewing is planning to open a Gresham taproom by early spring.

MadCow is owned by brewer Jason Blair and his wife Kelly Blair, who founded the nano brewery as a one barrel at a time commercial production in June of 2017. Their beers have been primarily showcased in Portland and East County area and at the Nano Beer Fest over the last 3 years. Now, the couple have signed a lease on a building along Eastman and Division streets in Gresham Town Fair.

Read the full article.

New beer from Initiative Brewing

Redmond’s Initiative Brewing posted a new beer out today: “Shane-ful Imperial Red: 8.0% abv, 38 IBU. An Imperial Red brewed with Czech Saaz hops, and Belgian Special B crystal Malt.”