Happy Hump Day! Here is the news in beer from around Oregon for Wednesday the 6th of January. As usual, I’ll be periodically updating this post throughout the day with the latest news, so check back often for updates. If you have news to share, please contact me and I can get that updated as well.

GoodLife Brewing (Bend) is launching a new Sustainable Session Series starting in February, which “will feature three different session ales associated with three different organizations giving back 1% of total sales to each organization.” The first beer in the series will be Brewshed® Session Ale to benefit the Brewshed® Alliance. From the press release: “The Pacific Northwest is home to some of Earth’s finest water, and to salute the source, we’re donating a portion of this ale’s sales to the Oregon Brewshed® Alliance and Washington Brewshed® Alliance. Brewshed® Session Ale will be available in 6-pack cans and draft (1/6 BBLS and ½ BBLS) between February and June with distribution in Oregon, Washington, and Idaho. The second can of the Series is launching July 1st, 2016 with more details coming soon.” There will be release parties for this beer next month, which I’ll post as they get close.

The Green Dragon (Portland) is celebrating “Big Ass Beer Month” for January with the Green Dragon Brew Crew, and today’s release is Descent Into Darkness: “The Green Dragon Brew Crew kicks off Big Ass Beer month with their award-winning Descent Into Darkness, a Russian Imperial Stout aged for two months in Rogue Spirits whiskey barrels and cellared for nearly two years! This dark monster was mashed with five malts, creating layers of chocolate and vanilla that complement the subtle flavors of toasted oak and whiskey from the barrel.” The beer is 9.8% abv and sounds delicious.

Breakside Brewery (Portland): Tonight from 6 to 9pm is the annual release of their seasonal Salted Caramel Stout taking place at N.W.I.P.A. “It is time again to unleash Salted Caramel Stout from Breakside Brewing in collaboration with Salt & Straw. Full tap takeover and some special treats will surely be part of the fun.” Of this 6.8% abv beer, Breakside says, “Dessert fans rejoice. Our collaboration with Salt & Straw Ice Cream has yielded the perfect blend of sea salt and caramel in this full-bodied stout. Rich, balanced, smooth, and roasted.” And it is a tasty one!

GoodLife, mentioned above, also has a tasting event taking place tonight at Les Caves in Corvallis starting at 4:30pm: “Our monthly tasting series continues, as we welcome Good Life Brewing! Small plates from our kitchen will be paired with 5 amazing beers from this Bend Brew House. LINEUP: Yukon Cornelius (Brown w/Cinnamon & Nutmeg), Redside (India Red Ale), Descender IPA, Comatose Imperial IPA, Scottish Heart Wee Heavy.”

Swing Tree Brewing (Ashland) has new hours at their brewery and tasting room to be aware of: “As of today, our hours will be changed to 4-9pm Wed-Mon. Our Two Shilling Ale, Porch Swing Pale, Obligatory IPA, and Lonely Trike Red are all on tap for your tasting pleasure so make sure you “swing” by! Cheers!”

Culmination Brewing (Portland): New beer on tap: Dark Farmhouse! “This is the newest beer on tap at the Culmination Brewing Company taproom — a malt forward beer with hints of toffee and caramel w an estery finish reminiscent of a Belgian farmhouse ale.”

De Garde Brewing (Tillamook) has a new Gose-styled beer releasing tomorrow: “A spin off of our Gose inspired beers, this iteration spent a year in Mezcal barrels before being blended and heavily dry hopped. Massive citrus/lime character with rich hop notes and a subtle and rounded barrel contribution.” As a big fan of Goses, that sounds awfully interesting…

Full Sail Brewing (Hood River) is introducing the latest rollout to their successful Session series lineup: Session Wheat, a premium American-style Hefeweizen. From the press release: “Session Wheat is medium bodied and refreshing, featuring aromas of malted wheat with a citrusy hop finish. Session Wheat Premium Hefeweizen will be available year round in Session’s signature 11 oz. stubby bottles in 12-packs, 6-packs and on draft. 5.4% ABV, 24 IBUs. When it grains, it pours!” Session Wheat joins the other Session beers: Lager (original), Fest, Black, IPA, Golden, and Cream.