Today is Mardi Gras! Happy Fat Tuesday! How will you be celebrating? In the meantime here’s your Mardi Gras Oregon beer news for this last day of February. As usual, I’ll be periodically updating this post throughout the day, so check back often for the latest news. And if you have news to share, please contact me and I can get that posted as well.

The Bier Stein (Eugene) is Tapping Into Community tonight with their fundraiser tapping for Environmental Law Alliance Worldwide: “Join us for a benefit tapping of Viking Braggot Company’s Alpenglow Red! 100% of the proceeds from this keg will be donated to ELAW, Environmental Law Alliance Worldwide. ELAW helps communities speak out for clean air, clean water, and a healthy planet. Supporting nonprofits is easy with Tapping Into Community– just have a beer!”

Deschutes Brewery (Bend) has their Community Pints Tuesday taking place, with $1 of every pint sold at both the Bend and Portland pubs benefiting a local nonprofit. At the Bend Pub they are benefiting Action Through Advocacy, while in Portland they are benefiting Sparks of Hope. Make sure to stop by today and have a pint or three and do your part!

The Oregon Beer Awards ceremony is taking place tonight at Revolution Hall in Portland. These are the awards organized by Portland’s Willamette Week for Oregon beer—a big task that has been getting bigger and better in the few years since it started. “The Oregon Beer Awards select and recognize our state’s outstanding beers in 22 categories and eight additional awards at the “Academy Awards for Oregon beer.” Prepare for a red carpet evening to celebrate gold, silver and bronze medalists at the beautiful Revolution Hall. Guests will enjoy the presentation of more than 30 awards (full list here), the JVNW, Inc. Hall of Fame presentation, special appearances from allied industry folks and Portland celebrities, and a delicious, exciting list of beers on tap. Host and Portland comedian Katie Nguyen keeps the evening rolling along in style. Food by Chicken And Guns available for purchase, and other snacks available throughout.” Tickets are already sold out but stay tuned Wednesday morning for all the winners to be announced. (Disclosure: I was on the nominations and voting lists.)

Cascade Brewing (Portland): Tonight’s Tap It Tuesday at the Barrel House at 6pm is featuring Honeycot: “This Northwest sour ale is a blend of blond ales aged for 15 months on fresh apricots with a late addition of wildflower honey. Honeycot features flavors of apricot preserves, honeysuckle flowers and raw honeycomb. 7.3% ABV”

Hillsboro’s Three Mugs Brewing is hosting a Mardi Gras Brewhaha tonight starting at 7pm: “Join us for a celebration of Fat Tuesday with fun, food & friends. Jambalaya & Beignets, games of skill & chance, wear a Mardi Gras costume & get $1 off each beverage, plus enter the costume contest to win prizes Doors open at 3 pm. Free food available at 6 pm. Party starts at 7.”

GoodLife Brewing (Bend) announced big sales/distribution news today: “Are we dreaming or is this real?! We are excited to announce that starting this week, @costco is going to be selling 24 packs of Sweet As! Pacific Ale! How amazing of a sight is that?!” Congrats!

Full Sail Brewing (Hood River): Session Lager is coming to cans! “We love the stubby too, that’s for sure. But sometimes we want to take our Session to places bottles just shouldn’t go. Places where dropping your beloved Session would cause instant loss and unspeakable grief. Places where bare feet are a way of life. For those occasions and locations where you’d love to have a Session, just not in a glass bottle, Full Sail is thrilled to provide the new Session can.” It will be available in six-packs and 15 packs.