Happy Hump Day! Hopefully you’re not (too) hungover from Valentine’s Day’s beers and chocolates. Here’s the news and Oregon beer events to get a little hair of the dog if you are; 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.

It’s a McMenamins kind of day! First, McMenamins Oak Hills Brewpub (Portland) has their From the Fishbowl beer tasting today from 5 to 8pm, featuring Bad Star Pale Ale: “Inspired by Skull Diver’s new song Bad Star, this brew is a light Pale Ale that’s citrusy, effervescent and easy-drinking with a bit of spice. Premium 2-Row Malt, Pilsner, Munich and Flaked Barley are the backbone for the whole leaf Eukanot Hops. The Eukanot is a new variety that provides both citrus and floral notes to the brew. As an added kick to this rocking beer, a large dose of Grains Of Paradise were added to the boil that contribute a peppery spice that complements the malts and hops. Enjoy the Bad Star.”

McMenamins 23rd Avenue Bottle Shop (Portland) is hosting a Meet Your Maker event featuring the Hillsdale Brewery’s Tyler Newton from 5 to 7pm: “In preparation for the 24th Annual Hillsdale Brewfest on February 25th, we’re bringing in Tyler Newton from the Hillsdale Brewery to showcase his submission to the Battle for the Belt, and another impressive surprise brew that he’ll soon have waiting for the masses. Bring your curiosities and buckle up for a beer (or two!) made at the original McMenamins Brewery.” He is bringing Hillsdale IPA: “The Hillsdale IPA is hop forward, greeting your nose with the pungent, grassy aromas of Mosaic and Citra Hops. A simple grain bill keeps the beer light in color and body, as sweet malts were excluded to avoid overshadowing any hop flavors. Named to pay homage to the very first McMenamins Brewery, opened over thirty years ago, this classic West Coast Style IPA is a nod to the gods of posterity. So, order a pint and raise a glass to both the best of what’s been and what will be!”

Belmont Station is welcoming Bend Brewing Company today from 5 to 7pm for a beer tasting and to show off the company’s new (bottle) look: “The good folks at Bend Brewing Co will be in the house to show off their new duds, and pour some free sample in our bottle shop. They will be showcasing some favorites like Metolius Golden Ale, Hop Head Double IPA, Lovely Cherry Baltic Porter and the award winning Ching Ching as well as the brand new Razz Tafari (Raspberry, Lemongrass, Sour). Taste them all and take a few of these lovelies home with you too! We also will be pouring Bend’s new Annex IPA in the taproom.”

Rogue Ales‘ Eastside Pub in Portland (the former Green Dragon) has their Green Dragon Brew Crew release today at 5pm, featuring PJag IPA: “Jaggery, the sweet flowery sugar from the palm tree is the key ingredient in this IPA. By itself, jaggery is flowery in aroma and flavor with just a hint of tartness in the finish. To overcome the tartness a fresh pineapple was grilled and added to the fermenter creating pineapple jaggery or PJag for short. German magnum hops are used for bittering and Cascade hops are used for the aroma which adds some citrus notes to the complex flavor and aroma of pinapple and flowers. An easy drinking beer with a good body and and mouthfeel, it is refreshing as we begin to think of Spring and more sun in the days ahead.”

Bend Brewing Company‘s Big Bold Beer & Dessert Tasting Flight special continues today, one you should definitely be checking out: “Calling all BIG & BOLD beer lovers- we’ve got the tasting flight for you! We’ll be offering five of our richest porters brewed throughout the years on a single tasting flight served with chocolate covered strawberries.”

Great Notion Brewing (Portland) has their latest on tap: “New beer on tap today! Black Math, a “hazy” (lol) Black IPA. Crowlers avail starting Friday.” I like that they are aware of the irony.