Here’s the Oregon beer news for Thursday, January 24. As usual, I’ll be periodically updating this post with the latest news throughout the day, so check back often. If you have news to share, please contact me and I can get that posted as well.

Falling Sky Brewing (Eugene): It’s hard to believe they’ve been open for a year already, but it’s true: today Falling Sky is celebrating their birthday! “Come celebrate with us today: Thursday 1/24. ALL DAY & NIGHT HAPPINESS SPECIALS + 35% OFF APPAREL.” Congratulations to Falling Sky on that first year!

Golden Valley Brewery (McMinnville): Today is the release day for Geistbock in McMinnville (last week was just in Beaverton, apparently). From 3 to 6pm today pints of Geistbock from the first keg are $2, until the keg blows. The beer itself (a tasty one): “This is one of our rare lagers brewed in the style of the German Heiliges Geist Bock, or Holy Ghost Bock. The name refers to the lighter nature of the beer as opposed to the darker and heavier Doppel Bock and Mai Bock also brewed during the spring in Germany. There is a rich malt flavor, a firm German style lager head, and a clean lagered finish to this beer.”

Beerworks (Medford) is hosting Eugene’s Oakshire Brewing for a free bottle tasting tonight from 6 to 8pm: “We will have have something interesting from them for sale on tap for the event as well.” I would expect to see the usual lineup of Oakshire beers (including the seasonals).

The Green Dragon (Portland) is holding a meet the brewer tonight featuring Portland’s Old Town Brewing (part of Old Town Pizza), starting at 5pm when the beers will be tapped, with the meet the brewer portion starting at 6. Beers on tap will be Old Town IPA, Scotch Ale and Pilsner.

McMenamins Kennedy School (Portland): They have a special beer tasting today in their “Concordia Barrel Series” beers, featuring 2012 Whiskey Widow Release: “If you were lucky enough to hit the 2011 Whiskey Widow release in the Boiler Room last year you won’t need to be sweet-talked into attending this year’s release.  Yes, the Widow has emerged from her hiding place once again and has spun a whole new web.  The Whiskey Widow is darkly sublime – Concordia’s 2012 Black Widow Porter aged for three months in a bourbon-finished port barrel.  The result is a dark elixir, rich with oaky smoothness, a bold bourbon aroma and hints of vanilla. Truly a dark beauty that packs a vicious bite!” This sounds really good! The tasting starts at 4pm (and when it’s gone, it’s gone).

Full Sail Brewing (Hood River): Bourbon Barrel Aged Imperial Stout is back! This highly-acclaimed beer is only released every other year—it spends the alternating years aging in the barrel—and this year’s vintage “was brewed in December of 2011 and  has since aged  in Kentucky Bourbon casks from Maker’s Mark, Four Roses, Jim Beam. This extended aging presents hints of vanilla and allows the Stout to pick up the flavors of the wood, bourbon and oak. The aging combined with the robust character of the Imperial Stout make for an extraordinary and wonderful taste experience. It has a strong roasted malt character and a full body. Chocolate and caramel nuances blend with the hops for a smooth Imperial Stout. It cellars well, Limited availability in 22oz. bottles and draft. Available February 2013 until it’s gone! ABV 9.6% IBUs: 40”