Here’s the news in Oregon beer for Thursday, January 14, 2021, counting down to the end of the week and already two weeks into the new year. Doesn’t it feel longer? Open a beer this afternoon, you deserve it—and follow along with this post as I update it throughout the rest of the day.

New beers from Hopworks

Hopworks Urban Brewery rolls out its first new seasonal beers of 2021 (detailed here), Ace of Clubs Imperial IPA and Stoner Fruit Apricot Sour. Both arrive in 16-ounce cans, and Ace of Clubs bring in Sabro, one of my favorite new hops, for a tropical coconut flair.

A bold Imperial IPA built for the winter months, Ace of Clubs is the fourth installment in Hopworks’ Ace Series. With classic, dank Northwest hops and a grapefruit aroma, this Imperial IPA’s big malt body plays perfectly with notes of coconut and passionfruit. Ace of Clubs has an ABV of 9.1% and IBU of 100.

Stoner Fruit Apricot Sour is a deliciously bright sour with a light, tart malt body. Brewed with apricots and Zappa hops, this sour ale comes in at 5.6% ABV and 4 IBU.

Portland Cider launches its Ciderade series

Portland Cider Company announced its Ciderade series launch, which “will feature three sessionable ciders throughout the year, each made with 100% Northwest apples brightened with locally-sourced fruit and a dose of electrolytes from Jacobsen Salt Co. sea salt.” Lemon Lime Ciderade is the first in the series.

Portland Cider Co. released today Lemon Lime Ciderade as the first flavor in the series, available now through April; it will be followed by Strawberry Ciderade in May and Orange Ciderade in the fall. Each product in the Ciderade Series is a light, low-carb beverage that contains less than 100 calories, 3.5 grams of sugar and carbs, and 4% ABV per 12-oz. serving.

I reviewed Lemon Lime Ciderade last year when it was released in the Small Batch series from the cidery; I can see this series being popular with the lifestyle drinkers.

Buoy Beer 2021 calendar

I posted earlier today the 2021 beer release calendar from Astoria’s Buoy Beer. Full release is at the link, but look for Baltic Porter in cans out now, followed by Another IPA in the spring, and more.

New beers from Xicha, McMenamins

New beers announced from Salem’s Xicha Brewing and Troutdale’s McMenamins Edgefield, that I’m noting here with the caveat that these appear to be draft only, which means drinking on-premise and outdoors. Because of covid I’m hesitant to recommend anyone drink at a location in person, but as long as it’s outdoors and well-vented it’s about being careful.

• Xicha: “La Jefa [la] [heh-fah], is a Wheat Beer, aged in Añejo Tequila Barrels for an entire year! This slightly sour boss beer has a wonderfully prominent tequila bite to it that’ll keep you grounded, like all Jefa’s! ABV:5.82; IBU 18.5”
• Edgefield: “Lord of Misrule 2020: Imperial Milk Stout with Chili Peppers and Cinnamon. Guaranteed to help you warm up with our outdoor seating during these cold nights, this rum infused and whiskey barrel aged imperial stout is one beautiful beer. Don’t let the peppers scare you off, they add just the right hint of Christmas spice.”

Boneyard Skunkape now in cans

Bend’s Boneyard Beer posted a photo of its Skunkape IRA in cans to be available tomorrow. “Hopped with Cascade, Simcoe, Centennial, Chinook, Galaxy, CTZ, Cryo Lotus & Ekuanot and Citra Hop Oil.”

Initiative Brewing has its own in-house equipment and a new beer brewing

Somehow I missed this when it happened (recently?), but Redmond’s Initiative Brewing now has its in-house brew system finally. Previously, the company had been contract brewing with Mazama in Corvallis. Today, Initiative posted a picture of its new equipment during a brew day for its next upcoming beer, Oh Bother Honey Lager, brewed with coriander honey from Flying Bee Ranch in Salem. The beer should be on tap by the end of next month.