Happy Groundhog Day! Looks like here in Central Oregon this morning it’s nice and sunny out, which means six more weeks of winter. So settle in with your beer and let’s hit the Oregon beer news for Tuesday, February 2nd. As usual, I’ll be periodically updating this post throughout the day, so check back often for the latest news. And if you have news to share, please contact me and I can get that posted as well.

Big news in the Portland brewing scene for Mt. Tabor Brewing as they announced the hiring of a new head brewer, none other than Ben Dobler, formerly of Widmer Brothers. From the press release: “After a productive and exciting career at Widmer Brothers that spanned over two decades, Dobler will direct all brewing operations that includes, the new Mt Tabor Brewing production facility in Portland, OR and Mt Tabor Brewing and Pizza in Vancouver, WA. Eric Surface, owner and co-founder of Mt Tabor Brewing and Dobler met in high school, and when Surface started the search for a new brewer that had a mix of experience and bravery, Dobler was the first person that he thought of. Mt Tabor Brewing is in the process of expanding to a 15 barrel system at 124 SE 11th Ave, Portland, OR, in which the first brewing session will take place in the next two months. The current 7 barrel system will remain in Vancouver, WA. in which the downtown Vancouver tasting room will be open through June.” Congrats to Dobler and Mt. Tabor!

McMenamins Fulton Pub (Portland) has their Sip & Chat Beer Tasting tonight from 6 to 8pm, featuring Fulton Ginger Beer: “This golden hued ale is light bodied and mildly hopped to achieve a balance between malt and hops. A single keg of this beer was then aged on a generous amount of fresh ginger root. The result is light and refreshing with the unmistakable spiciness and aroma of fresh cut ginger root.” And about their Sip & Chat event: “Stop into the Fulton Pub to experience the innovation of the Brewer, Ryan Mott. He’s been brewing for McMenamins since 1998 but began as a homebrewer, studying the craft & finding his own style. He’ll answer your beer curiosities and would delight in providing you with a tour of Fulton’s pint-sized brewery.”

CiderCON continues in Portland today, and The BeerMongers is teaming up with Reverend Nat’s Hard Cider for a special tie-in event today starting at 5pm: “Join us for a special Cider Con event featuring our friends from Reverend Nat’s Cidery. We will have cider makers in the shop to help answer any questions about the wonderful ciders aailable in the Northwest. We will have special ciders on draft including: Pineapple Revival, Nat’s/Baerlic Apple Gose and Nat’s/BeerMongers Bourbon Barrel B Cider.”

And Cascade Brewing is getting into the CiderCON spirit tonight for their Tap It Tuesday, teaming up with Portland’s Cider Riot: “we’ve paired with Cider Riot to bring you Rising Tide, a blend of their Never Give An Inch – a dry cider with Oregon blackberries and blackcurrants – and our sour Triple aged in freshly toasted oak barrels. The resulting blend offers gorgeous hedgerow fruit characteristics with a strong toasted oak flavor and light malt sweetness.” It starts at 6pm.