Here’s the Oregon beer news for Thursday, the 7th of January—first week of the year is almost down! As usual, I’ll be periodically updating this post throughout the day, so check back often. And if you have news to share, please contact me and I can get that updated as well.

Widmer Brothers Brewing (Portland) has their hoppy lager, Hopside Down IPL, released once again, their spring seasonal which started out as one of their Rotator Series IPAs. From the press release: “Hopside Down IPL combines the best of both worlds: the hoppiness of a traditional IPA, with the clean character and finish of a cold-fermented lager. The approachable style captures the essence of spring with a blend of a crisp lager and the hoppy aroma and flavor of an IPA. The official launch party for Hopside Down IPL will take place at the Widmer Brothers Brewery and Pub in North Portland on January 14, 2016. The party runs from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. and will feature Hopside Down being poured side-by-side with fresh-hop infused Hopside Down, which will be running through Randalls filled with different hop varietals. Partygoers will be able to try these different varieties to taste the effects of different types of hops on the base beer.” You can view those event details here.

Bloomberg Business News has an article today on “The Most Exciting Craft Breweries in the Pacific Northwest Right Now” which while this type of list is always subjective, is still a good one overall in my opinion. In particular in Oregon they highlight Bend’s Ale Apothecary, Tillamook’s De Garde Brewing, Hood River’s Logsdon Farmhouse Ales, and Portland’s Upright Brewing—all of which are in fact doing some pretty amazing things.

Belmont Station (Portland) is hosting Salem’s Gilgamesh Brewing today for a tasting from 5 to 7pm: “Join Salem’s rockstar brewery, Gilgamesh, for a tasting of all their packaged beers!” I’d expect to see a Gilgamesh beer or two on tap as well.

The BeerMongers (Portland) today is welcoming California’s Belching Beaver Brewery starting at 6pm. No further details but it seems Belching Beaver is just entering the Oregon market so keep and eye out for their beers.

Old Town Brewing (Portland): Today is the release of their second annual collaboration beer that they brewed with the NBC television show “Grimm.” They’ll be tapping Chocolate Chili Chupacabra, which they describe as “a wonderful chocolate chili ale aged on a blend of Ghana and Ecuador cocoa nibs, and infused with a touch of cinnamon and chipotle chili.” Full press release is on Brewpublic here; $2 of every pint sold will be donated to OHSU Doernbecher Children’s Hospital (their Grimmster Endowment). The tapping is at 6pm, be there! (Will there be any Grimm stars present?)

The Green Dragon (Portland): Tonight’s meet the brewer event is featuring Nick Greiner and Tobias Hahn of Rosenstadt Brewery: “Nick and Tobias, founders of Rosenstadt Brewery met while taking their children to German language classes. They discovered they shared a love for German beers and Pacific Northwest ingredients. Today, Rosenstadt Brewery crafts a small portfolio of brews that unite the two best hops growing regions of the world, the PNW and Southwest Germany.” It kicks off at 5pm.

Calapooia Brewing (Albany) has a special beer release and meet the brewer taking place tonight at Portland’s Chill N Fill starting at 7pm: “Debuting Kildirkin vol. 1; the first in our wine barrel aged series.” Brewpublic says: “Deriving its name from a small barrel, Kildirkin Vol 1 is Calapooia Brewing’s winter warmer that has been aged in red wine barrels for three months. Chocolate and Dark Crystal malt were used with a hint of Roasted malt & licorice root. The hops used were Apollo, Cascade, and Golding. Kildirkin Vol 1 comes in at 7% ABV and 60 IBU.”