First off I have to wish my sister-in-law a happy birthday today! She’s a beer lover of all sorts of styles with a particular fondness for McMenamins’ Ruby Ale. Happy day! And here’s the rest of the news in Oregon beer for Wednesday the 11th of February. As usual, I’ll be periodically updating this post throughout the day with the latest news, so check back often for updates. If you have news to share, please contact me and I can get that updated as well.

Belmont Station (Portland): Their “Bigger, Badder, Blacker!” event concludes today, which is dubbed “Kick The Kegs Day.” Along with the various big, black, strong beers they’ve been pouring include: “There will also be selections from Epic, The Commons, Georgetown, Block 15 and more! Plus we will tap a pin of Dansk Mjød Viking Blod mead that will pour on top of the bar during Bigger Badder Blacker — at least until it runs out!” Make sure to hit up the last day and get your fix!

Vertigo Brewing (Hillsboro) has some fresh beer for you today: “We made it to Wednesday and what could be better than that? Well, fresh batches of Uno MAS and The Closer are being tapped this afternoon. Lots of hoppiness to enjoy. Taproom opens at 4:00.”

The Green Dragon (Portland) has a Green Dragon Brew Crew beer release today kicking off at 5pm: “A fresh, northwest take on an old English style beer, aged and served in the traditional style, Ye Olde Caske Ayle is presented this week to entice you to come back Feb 21st for Firkin Fest, our yearly celebration of Real Ales. Served before it has the chance to take on the oxidative flavors of a traditional Old Ale, with a touch less alcohol, this delicious English style is better suited to the company of friends than “by a warm fire on a cold winter’s night”. No matter how you enjoy it, enjoy it. 6.9% ABV 50 IBU”

Broken Top Bottle Shop (Bend) is hosting Portland’s Base Camp Brewing tonight for a tasting and tap takeover featuring the collaboration beers from Base Camp’s Collabofest of a few weeks ago. There will be five of them on tap: Coalition Brewing Bridge Builder Bock, Breakside Brewery and Fat Head’s Brewery, Ecliptic Brewing and Stormbreaker Brewing Kreik, Gigantic Brewing Company and Ex Novo Brewing Quadtastic, and Base Camp Rip City IPA. It runs from 5 to 8pm so if you’re in Bend here’s a great chance to check out some of these collaborations.

Brannon’s Pub and Brewery (Beaverton): They have a new beer on tap today, Aneroid Strong Belgian Pale. “Unfiltered and glowing with an orange hue, this strong Belgian Pale has many complex characteristics. Aromas of white grapes, citrus and cloves play beautifully off the dry warmth of traditional Abbey ale yeast.”

Widmer Brothers (Portland): The next two beers are out in Widmer’s 30 Beers for 30 Years series: “We have 2010: Pitch Black IPA and 2011: KGB Russian Imperial Stout. Prost to Scrappers and MrFishyFish for the amazing label art.” KGB is a fine RIS, so make sure you scoop some of these up.

Burnside Brewing (Portland) is doing a tap takeover at Hillsboro’s Orenco Taphouse tonight starting at 5pm. Beers on tap (already) are Sweet Heat, IPA, Other IPA, Whiteout, Hot Chocolate Stout, and Too Sticky To Roll IRA.