It’s Ash Wednesday today, this February 10th, which means Easter is just 46 days away. Break out the Bocks! Here’s the news in Oregon beer; as usual, I’ll be periodically updating this post throughout the day with the latest news, 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 German pub Stammtisch in Portland is kicking off their first annual Starkbier Fest today in conjunction with Prost! German pub. The fest will run through Sunday, the 14th. “Join us for Portland’s first annual Starkbier Fest! This lent tradition dates back to the middle ages, when monks would fast from Ash Wednesday through Easter Sunday. Because the monks believed that liquids not only cleansed the body but also the soul, they would make plenty of liquid instead of solid bread from their grain, and then drink it in copious quantities…the more, the holier. While our fast won’t last 46 days, we can still celebrate their sacrifice by consuming delicous strong biers. We will have featured doppelbocks on draft and in bottles as well as special bier-paired menu items created by Chef Graham Chaney to help you absorb these high ABV beers.” They’ve got a terrific line up of all German beers you’ll want to check out, fortunately you have through the rest of the week to do so.

Belmont Station (Portland) is hosting a bottle tasting with Albany’s Calapooia Brewing today from 5 to 7pm: “Some of us remember when Calapooia first hit the world right smack on the nose with their chili beer (still one of the best, even for those of us who don’t like chili beers)! Others might not have ever tried it. Either way, it’s time to give it a taste either for the first time or once again! Along with the infamous chili beer, we will also be tasting their Flood Stage Red Ale.”

McMenamins Boon’s Treasury (Salem) has their Taste at the Treasury event today from 3 to 5pm, featuring Japanese Orange Blossom: “This is a unique ale brewed up with Sake Yeast and Blood Orange Puree to make for a fun, one of a kind experiecne. It presents with a lighter body and a delightful tang that’s provided by the Blood Orange flavor. With the Sake Yeast fermentation, the palate will have lots of unique flavor that are guaranteed to play on the palate.” This one comes from brewer Jen Kent over at their Thompson brewery.

The Green Dragon (Portland): Their Green Dragon Brew Crew release today starting at 5pm is featuring a Rye Pale Ale: “This is not your ordinary pale ale. The Brew Crew crafted Rye Pale Ale with a huge portion of rye in the mash, giving this brew a spiciness and deep color. Then they balanced the spicy rye flavor with big bitterness from Magnum, Simcoe and Cascade hops.”

Cascade Brewing (Portland): Tonight they are tapping a beer named Date Night: “a small-batch blend featuring Imperial Reds and Spiced Quads aged in bourbon barrels with rum-soaked dates and mulling spices. Warm flavors of rum, dried dates, caramel malts and spices are met with a smooth lactic acidity and mellowing sweetness, 10.2% ABV.”

The Platypus Pub (Bend) is hosting Bend’s own Bend Brewing Company for a tasting tonight from 6 to 8pm: “Bend Brewing’s Josh Harned will be here Wednesday night to sample out Volkssekt Berliner Weisse and Lovely Cherry Baltic Porter.”

Ninkasi Brewing (Eugene) has two new beers being released in bottles from their R&D (Rare & Delicious) series—the first R&D beers to be bottled: Velocihoptor Double IPA and Tart & Soul Blackberry Sour. “Previously released on draft only, these small-batch beers offer craft beer drinkers a unique variety of styles while giving Ninkasi brewers a forum to explore and experiment. The first release, Velocihoptor Double IPA, will debut mid-February, followed by Tart & Soul, a Blackberry Sour, available in March. Both will be available in 22-ounce bottles and on draft throughout most of Ninkasi’s distribution footprint.”

As I reported yesterday, Kriekfest tickets are on sale now. The first Kriekfest is taking place this July 9 in Parkdale, at Solera Brewery, and is devoted exclusively to cherry beers and ciders. They’ve got a nice looking taplist (subject to change). “They are $25 [including five (5) tickets for four (4)-ounce pours and a commemorative glass] online and limited to 500. The event is expected to sell-out, but if there are some available they will be $28 at the gate on Saturday, July 9, 2016< in the small, rural town of Parkdale.”