It’s Thirsty Thursday! Or if not, at least it should be. Here’s the Oregon beer news to accompany your libations for January 14. As usual, I’ll be periodically updating this post throughout the day, so check back often. If you have news to share, please contact me and I can get that posted as well.

As I just posted a few minutes ago, Sunriver-based Sunriver Brewing has officially announced that they will be taking over the former Oblivion Brewpub space in Bend, with plans for a grand opening on February 13. It’s a good move for them, and they plan to release a new beer concurrently with the opening, Rippin Northwest Ale.

McMenamins Edgefield (Troutdale) has their Meet Your Maker beer tasting tonight from 5 to 8pm, featuring Cone of Cold India Pale Lager: “If you don’t have your Dungeon Master’s Guide handy, you might not know what level wizard spell this beer’s name is referring to, but that doesn’t mean it’s any less delicious. Cone of Cold India Pale Lager is very similar to an IPA except that it was brewed with a cold-fermenting lager yeast strain. This crisp beer’s pleasing hop flavor profile and huge citrus and pine aromatics were achieved using nothing but whole cone hop flowers.”

And if India Pale Lagers are your thing, Widmer Brothers Brewing is holding the launch of their Hopside Down IPL today at their Pub starting at 6pm: “Join us at the Widmer Brothers Pub to celebrate the return of Hopside Down IPL, our spring seasonal! We’ll be serving up flights of this fresh hop-infused brew. Hopside Down is an aggressive hopped, cold-fermented brew that brings together the clean, crisp finish of a lager with the hoppy aroma and character of an IPA. Hopside Down IPL features a floral hop aroma accompanied by a crisp dry finish. 6.7% ABV | 50 IBU”

ColdFire Brewing (Eugene): This brand-new brewery is having a release party tonight, hosted by Eugene’s Tap and Growler, debuting their first beers: “Our bartender [T&G’s], Tyler, is all grown up! He’s brewing up some success at Eugene’s newest brewery, ColdFire Brewing Company! Come help us congratulate Tyler, and welcome Coldfire to the neighborhood, by tapping some of Coldfire’s first kegs!
Eugene’s first chance to taste Coldfire’s Oatmeal Stout, American Wheat, and St James India Red!” And the New School has an early look at ColdFire posted today as well.

Burnside Brewing (Portland): Today they have a special “Dark Days, Dark Nights” event going on all day long: “Join us this Thursday for Dark Days, Dark Nights; a tap take over of our darkest, most creative winter beers. Open to close. Beer descriptions available at : http://www.burnsidebrewco.com/events/2016/1/14/the-dark-night”

Full Sail Brewing (Hood River): Tonight is their January Brewmaster Dinner, starting at 5pm, with no particular theme but four courses paired up with four Full Sail beers—good-looking choices overall. It’s only $40 and seating is limited so if you’re interested, call the Pub at (541) 386-2247 to get on the list.

The Green Dragon (Portland): Tonight’s meet the brewer is featuring Phil Brey of Redmond’s Cascade Lakes Brewing: “Head Brewer Phil Brey knows his way around both breweries and vineyards. He learned winemaking in California and brewing in Oregon. Two decades later and he joined Cascade Lakes Brewing, putting his experience and passion for craft into every batch. Come to the Green Dragon this Thursday, when Phil presents a fine selection of Cascade Lakes year-round beers and seasonals. Cascade Lakes prides itself on being old-school and true to craft. Join us for pint and find out what it’s all about.” It starts at 5pm.

Flat Tail Brewing (Corvallis) is doing a tap takeover at the Tin Bucket in Portland tonight starting at 5pm: “Dave from Flat Tail will be in the house for a fun Flat Tail tap takeover. These guys always bring a good time and some fun giveaways. Draft List: Menage Bah, George Cones, Wake Me Up, Before You Cocoa, DAM Wild Peaches and Cream”

And Corvallis’ Block 15 Brewery is doing a tap takeover tonight as well, at The Beer Station in Wilsonville starting at 5pm. They’ll be pouring some of their much-coveted beers like Sticky Hands IPA as well as the new The Prophecies that just came out.