Happy Hump Day! I hope this Wednesday is finding you well and looking for the Oregon beer news. 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.

McMenamins Oak Hills Brewpub (Portland) has a limited-edition beer tasting today starting at 4pm, featuring Orange Dot Double IPA: “Here it is! The long awaited Double IPA. 450 pounds of pilsner malt accompanied with some crystal malt and Flaked Barley, give this beer its beautiful orange hue. Determined to get this beer up to the Double IPA category, we filled the mash tun to its absolute limit. Incredibly luscious Centennial hops give the Orange Dot its bittering flavors while Amarillo and Simcoe hops make up the flavor and aroma profile. Also, 7 pounds of falconer’s flight pellet hops give this massive ale an extra kick in the pants.”

Belmont Station (Portland) is hosting McMinnville’s Golden Valley Brewery for a special Black Panther Imperial Stout Bottle Release and tasting, and a meet the brewer from 5 to 8pm: “This black behemoth of a brew is strong, full-bodied and redolent of chocolate and roast malt. The barrel-aged version was aged in Pinot Noir barrels, giving it a smooth body, vinous notes and a hint of oak. Both versions can be cellared for several years. Golden Valley brewer Jesse Shue will be on hand in the bottle shop to pour tastes of both versions of Black Panther so you can try them side-by-side and chat with him about the beers. We’re quite sure you will want to take some home to enjoy now and for years to come! We also will be pouring Der Kaffeeklatsch in the biercafe. It’s a Munich-style dunkel made with fine roasted coffee from Caravan Coffee.”

Bend Brewing Company (Bend) is celebrating their 19th anniversary this year and are holding that party this Friday: “This Friday is our 19 year anniversary party! From 7-10pm we will have FREE live music from Tone Red. If you can’t make it for the music don’t worry pints will be $3 ALL DAY, along with 1/2 price appetizers. Come help us celebrate!” Big congrats to Bend Brewing!

Plank Town Brewing (Springfield): This Sunday the 23rd is Plank Town’s first Brewer’s Dinner which starts at 6pm: “An informal yet decadent six-course dinner featuring beer pairings and a chance to chat with brewer Steve van Rossem. Our chefs have some very special dishes planned including bacon-wrapped dates stuffed with sausage, a warm shaved Brussels sprout salad, and elk with hunter’s sauce. $40 per person. Seating is limited for this event so please call 541-746-1890 for reservations by Friday 2/21. Arrangements can be made for vegetarian options or dietary restrictions with advance notice.” It’s a good-looking menu with a nice lineup of beers.

The Ale Apothecary (Bend) is expanding, based on this little tidbit: “We’ve moved all the aging barrels to our off-site location where we store our bottled product. In the next few weeks we’ll move in our handmade copper kettle and begin to increase production!” Honestly as small as Paul Arney’s brewery is, I wouldn’t have seen this coming, but that’s excellent news!