Happy Hump Day! Here’s the news in Oregon beer for Wednesday, the 6th of February. As usual, I’ll be periodically updating this post throughout the day, so check back often for updates. And if you have news to share, please contact me and I can get that updated as well.

The Oregon Brewers Festival has big news for this year: they have expanded to five days, starting on Wednesday, July 24 (which I already knew about), and they are changing from plastic mugs to glass this year, for the first time ever! From the press release: “In an effort to improve the tasting experience for the guest and to be more environmentally responsible, the Oregon Brewers Festival will now sell a tasting glass in lieu of the traditional plastic mug.” That’s a bold move considering they had nearly 80,000 visitors last year. I’ll have more detail on this in a subsequent post.

Falling Sky Brewing (Eugene): They teamed up with Corvallis meadmaker Nectar Creek Honeywine to brew a collaboration braggot (half beer, half mead basically) and the release party for “Sky Nectar” as its called is today at 4pm at Falling Sky: “What do you get when you cross a beer and a mead? Braggot! Come down to Falling Sky, meet the Nectar Creek and Falling Sky brewers, and enjoy the first taste of this historical brew.” You don’t see too many commercial braggots so this would be an interesting one to try.

Breakside Brewery (Portland) is doing a meet the brewer at Portland’s Caps & Corks today from 5:30 to 8:30pm. Breakside says, “Ben will be hanging out, sharing a bunch of classic and pub beers and maybe cracking open some rare bottles. Cheers!”

Ninkasi Brewing (Eugene) is heading over to Eugene’s Bier Stein tonight for a special vertical tasting event that sounds killer: “We are very excited in presenting a pretty cool opportunity to sample some Vintage Ninkasi ales. This Wednesday evening starting @ 6pm we will be offering flights that include: 1.Allies Win the War 2012 2.Allies Win the War 2013 3.Critical Hit Barleywine 2009 4.Little One. Don’t miss this chance to try 2 years of Allies side by side or Crirical Hit 2009! See ya here, cheers!” This special “flight night” runs from 6 to 9pm.

Oakshire Brewing (Eugene) is doing a beer dinner at Henry’s Tavern in Portland tonight at 7pm, featuring four courses each paired with a 9-ounce glass of select Oakshire beer. Brewmaster Matt Van Wyk will be joining with Henry’s Executive Chef Jerome Duncan to put this on—presumably they will be talking about each course and beer as well. Cost is $55 per person, and you’ll need pre-purchased tickets (short notice, I know) by calling 503-227-5320.

Lompoc Brewing (Portland): Tonight they are releasing their 69 Baltic Porter and the Bourbon Barrel Aged Baltic Porter at the Sidebar from 4 to 10pm: “We’re releasing our Baltic Porter and Bourbon Barrel Aged Baltic Porter on draft AND in bottles on Wednesday, February 6th at Sidebar from 4 to 10 pm. Other beers on tap include: Ryes of the Machines IPA, Scarlet Red, 2008 Fresh Hop Harvest Man Red and Fool’s Golden Ale. As with all our release parties, there will be complimentary appetizers. Hope to see you there!”

And then in a couple of weeks, on Friday the 22nd, Lompoc is holding their Black Out Beer Fest at the Fifth Quadrant: “The Black Out Beer Fest will feature a dozen dark beers from Lompoc and special guests Breakside Brewing, Columbia River Brewing Co, The Green Dragon and Widmer Brothers Brewing Co. Beers will be served throughout the Fifth Quadrant Pub, Sidebar Barrel Tasting Room, the Brewery bar and in the tented parking lot. There will also be live music and food specials. Admission into the event is free.” They have a terrific tap list lined up for the event which I’ll have more about soon.