Here’s the news in beer from around Oregon for this Tuesday, February 23. As usual, I’ll be updating this post throughout the afternoon so check back occasionally to see if there is anything new posted.

Crux goes non-alcoholic

Bend’s Crux Fermentation Project is the next brewery to dip its toe into alcohol-free waters with an NA IPA:

Did you hear about our latest project? We brewed our first non-alcoholic IPA and have it on tap now at our tasting room. We’re calling it NØ MØ, inspired by the fact that it’s brewed with the same hops as Gimme Mo – Citra and Mosaic – but has no alcohol. Give it a try and let us know what you think. Cans coming soon!

It’s the second non-alcoholic beer from Central Oregon that I’m aware of (with Irish Dark from Deschutes being first), though if anyone knows of any others please let me know!

Coin Toss turns 5 this weekend

Coin Toss Brewing of Oregon City is celebrating its fifth anniversary this weekend, featuring three new beers, live music, swag and glassware, all in a pandemic-safe socially distant format at the grand opening of the brewery’s new expanded taproom. From the press release:

Coin Toss will release three beers at the anniversary celebration, with beer labels featuring local original artwork from Lake Oswego artist Craig Spencer.

Brother Rand’s Belgian Tripel, the brewery’s first Belgian-style beer, is made with local Oregon City honey and named in honor of Rand Lindell, a taproom regular who supplied the honey. The beer will be available on draft and in limited edition 750-ml bottles.

Returning as Coin Toss’s exclusive anniversary beer will be Could Have Bought A Beach House Imperial IPA, a high-octane yet balanced and smooth beer featuring generous amounts of El Dorado and Cascade hops; it will be available on draft and in 16-ounce cans.

Rounding out the lineup will be Black Hohl IPA, Hohl’s very first homebrew and one of the first beers Coin Toss released. The black IPA is making a return following a three-year hiatus and will be available on draft and in 16-ounce cans.

It all starts this Friday, the 26th, and runs through Sunday.

The OMSI After Dark: Winter Ale Fest takes place Friday—virtually

OMSI (the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry in Portland) has periodically hosted its “After Dark” beer events for ages, and with covid the museum is holding these virtually. This Friday, the latest After Dark event takes place, the Winter Ale Fest.

Let’s get together, virtually to enjoy a curated tasting package of winter beers! Expect science demos, magic, brewery experts, trivia, music and more. Information on how to access the live stream will be emailed to ticket holders the day of the event.

Tickets include 10 winter beers, 2 tasting glasses and access to the virtual event. 21+ only

–$49 until Feb 14 (add to your cart to see the early bird discount!)
–$54 after Feb 14
OMSI members receive a 15% discount.

Pick up will be available Tuesday, February 23 – Friday, February 26 from 2:00pm-6:00pm at OMSI. 21+ only; valid ID required for pick up.

Block 15 announces Selection Series of seasonal single-hop IPAs

News via Brewpublic: Corvallis’ Block 15 Brewing announced its new Selection Series, “a limited seasonal release of single hop IPAs highlighting the relationship with regional hop farms and the science behind the selection process.” The varieties Mosaic, Citra, Centennial, and Strata will be the first releases. More details:

This year’s lineup will feature the best cuts of Mosaic, Citra, Centennial and Strata hops from renowned farms Coleman Agriculture, Loftus Ranches and Wyckoff Farms.

“Through these hop selections, we are able to pinpoint hops from regional farms that shine within our programs and are of distinct characters. One of the most notable experiences is seeing how personal sensory analysis is with multiple descriptors being noted by each individual.” said Block 15 founder Nick Arzner.

Selection Series beer will release a single hop beer every weekend, beginning February 27th, into the month of March. Distribution to bottle shops and markets will deliver Selection Series throughout the Pacific Northwest via Block 15 Distribution.

This sounds quite interesting, and details on each beer are also available at the Brewpublic article.

New beers list

Breweries never stop releasing beers, whether new or returning or seasonal. Here’s the latest…

• Gorges Beer Company (Portland): Golden Eagle Golden Ale: “What’s that up in the sky! Look! It’s a bird, it’s a plane, no it’s the return of our Golden Eagle Golden Ale! Remember this tastey beer from last summer on the promenade? We’re excited to welcome it’s return today!”
• Bevel Craft Brewing (Bend): Disclandia IPA just tapped: “This taproom classic was brewed with Comet and Azacca hops which unveil hints of orange and grapefruit combined with ripe mango. These fruity flavors are bold in the aroma and taste while it finishes off with earthy, piney notes to balance it all out.”
• Gigantic Brewing (Portland): Project Pilsner: Mosaic. “Today’s #FirstTasteTuesday is Gigantic’s latest release in our Project Pilsner series. This version is hopped with Mosaic, imparting berry, mango and piney hop flavors. Available in both taprooms and for delivery order today!” Also see the press release at Brewpublic.
• Deschutes Brewery (Bend): The Bend Pub has Peach Cobbler Fruited Wheat on tap; it’s brewed with 40+ pounds per barrel of peach puree, and is 6% ABV with 45 IBUs.
• Claim 52 Brewing (Eugene): Paradice IcePA: “Fermented cold and under pressure with lager yeast. Brewed with Thomas Facett pale ale malt and light Munich malt. Hopped with Cryo Mosaic, Cryo Sabro, and Strata. 6.4%”

Fort George has a new canning line!

Astoria’s Fort George Brewery, which has long offered its beers in cans, has a new canning line up and running today, and the brewery posted a fun video showing the first beers coming off the line: Cavatica Stout. The video’s a bit mesmerizing, actually, following the cans from start to finish. Watch for those new cans to hit the market soon.