Here is the news in Oregon beer for Thursday, the 29th of January. 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.

Astoria’s Fort George Brewery and Portland’s The Commons Brewery teamed up with Portland-based Plazm Magazine to collaborate on a special Farmhouse Ale in honor of the magazine and design studio (aptly named “Plazm”), and this week the first of the official release events are rolling out, starting tonight with The Bier Stein in Eugene. The event runs from 6 to 8pm commemorating the beer, and I expect there will be reps from the breweries on hand—plus the Stein will have three additional beers from each brewery on tap as well. Don’t miss out!

McMenamins Highland Pub & Brewery (Gresham): They have a special beer tasting and meet the brewer tonight starting at 5pm, featuring Highland Smoked Porter: “A lovely, seasonally appropriate American porter for your palate with just a hint of smoke swirling in the midst of dark, roasty goodness. We went old school adding Brown malt to the recipe which was once a very common ingredient in porters making up as much as 100% of the beer. We also tossed in some flaked barley to enrich the mouthfeel and flavor with malty goodness. Perle and Tettnanger hops round it out with earthy, spicy aromas and tastes.” It’s 4.9% abv, and there are actually two versions available: the regular one, and one with habaneros.

Steens Mountain Brewing (Burns), one of Oregon’s newest (and smallest), is teaming up with Burns restaurant Rhojo’s to put on a Robert Burns-themed beer dinner tonight starting at 6pm. I don’t know if there are tickets still available, but here’s the lowdown: “We will feature three of our ales: Lone Pine American IPA; Petroglyph Porter and; Robert Burns Wee Heavy Scotch Ale. We brewed up a small batch of our Robert Burns Wee Heavy to celebrate the Scottish Poet Robert Burns (the person the City of Burns is named after).” If you’re in the area and want to find out more call the restaurant at 541-573-7656 to see if you can get in ($35 per person with the beer).

The Green Dragon (Portland): Their meet the brewer event tonight is bringing in Nat West, owner of Reverend Nat’s Hard Cider in Portland: “Join us tonight as we welcome Nat West, owner and cider maker of Reverend Nat’s Hard Cider! Nat will be telling us his story and all about the ciders we’ll have on tap: Newtown Pippin; Deliverance Ginger; and Hallelujah Hopricot. Ciders start at 5pm, Nat starts at 6pm.”

Alameda Brewing (Portland) is doing a tap takeover and meet the brewer tonight at The Civic Taproom & Bottle Shop from 6 to 9pm. “Join Charlie & Carston tonight at the The Civic Taproom and Bottle Shop – they’ll be pouring Yellow Wolf Imperial IPA, Klickitat Pale Ale, My Bloody Valentine and Nitro Irish Red Ale – cheers!”

Uptown Market (Beaverton/Portland) has what sounds like a last-minute event tonight: “Surprise! Trinity Brewing event tonight at Uptown! From 5pm-8pm, stop by Uptown for a special “Meet the Brewer” -style tasting featuring Colorado’s finest & funkiest artisanal brewery. We will have Red Swingline IPA available on tap and will have the rest of the Trinity line-up available in bottles.”

Plew’s Brews (Portland): Today they are celebrating their 5th birthday! “Happy Hour beers till 7pm,The Lustful Monks play 7:30-9:30 and I’m sure with a full house of surprise guest musicians who have played here over the years, something magic may go down! No cover charge, just good fun, cool people and great beer.”