Here’s my late afternoon Oregon beer news for this Wednesday, March 3—some big news dropped today which I also posted earlier. I’ll be updating this post throughout the rest of the afternoon with additional news, so keep reloading.

Oregon Brewers Festival canceled for 2021, plans to return in 2022

It was a difficult decision, but a correct one, for the organizers of the Oregon Brewers Festival to cancel this year’s event. It’s the second year in a row that the OBF won’t be taking place, due to COVID-19. The site’s homepage announced:

We have made the difficult decision to cancel this year’s OBF, scheduled for July 28 through July 31, 2021. We look forward to returning next July 2022. Until then, stay safe and support your local restaurants, craft breweries, and cider houses. Cheers!

The festival is already scheduled for Wednesday, July 27 through Saturday, July 30, 2022, so start making your plans for next year’s return.

Deschutes Brewery acquires Boneyard Beer

It’s the second item on today’s news post, but likely the only one people will be talking about: Bend breweries Deschutes Brewery and Boneyard Beer today announced a joint venture partnership—essentially what’s being called an acquisition. I’ve posted the initial press release here, and I’m sure there be more details to come.

Pelican’s Kiwanda Cream Ale turns 25 this year, with a special rebate for 25 year olds

Pelican Brewing turns 25 this year, and so does it’s classic Kiwanda Cream Ale. To celebrate, the brewery has a special rebate deal on Kiwanda for people turning 25 this year as well:

Pelican Brewing Company’s flock favorite, Kiwanda Cream Ale, turns 25 this year and Pelican wants to celebrate with its fellow 25-year old’s all year long with a grocery store rebate program and a free pint at one of their three coastal brewpubs. The rebate program is open to anyone who turns 25 in 2021 and purchases a six-pack of Kiwanda. To receive a refund, participants submit their receipt or UPC code of their purchase and proof of age to Pelican’s website to redeem their rebate. Additionally, stop into one of Pelican’s three Oregon coast brewpubs during your 25th birthday month and receive a free pint of beer on Pelican, limited to one pint per customer and is only redeemable at one location.

Sadly I am not turning 25 this year…

Occidental Brewing releasing Maibock

Portland’s Occidental Brewing has its annual Maibock releasing soon; from the brewery’s newsletter:

Last week Dampfbier and this week Maibock. Our boozy Spring Lager is making its annual appearance slightly earlier in 2021 because, why not?

Always a taproom favorite, Maibock will again be available in 16 oz cans as well as a limited amount of kegs. Grab some to-go from the taproom starting Friday, and look out for it on draft around Portland and in Idaho, too.

Weekend Beer Company opens its new location

Weekend Beer Company in Grants Pass opened up its new location today:

Opening our new location at 1863 NW Washington Blvd in Grants Pass, at noon today!

• 8,000 sq ft of outdoor seating
• 3 smokeless fire pits
• Valentino’s on-site full time
• Tacomania on-site full time
• Quality, approachable craft beer brewed on-site
• Local wine and cider on tap
• Dog and family friendly

Open Sunday-Thursday 12-8pm, Friday and Saturday 12-9pm

Upright turns 12 this year

Portland’s Upright Brewing celebrates its 12th anniversary this month, and teases some upcoming treats:

It’s almost time… Upright turns 12 this month and we’ve got lots of new and tasty beers in our line up to celebrate! Keep an eye out for bottles and drafts of new brews (including a new spin on the Anniversary Saison) coming soon. We’ll be releasing everything for to-go pick ups March 27th at the tasting room!

Great Notion has a new canning line

Great Notion Brewing is installing a new canning line at it’s Northwest Portland brewery:

It’s a big week over at our NW brewery with the installation of our shiny new canning line! We are excited to package our beer even faster and better so we can get it out the door and into your fridge.

Our beer release schedule may be a little lighter this week and next as we get everything up and running, but we’ll be cranking out plenty of bangers soon!