Here’s the roundup of news in Oregon beer for this Thursday, March 11, catching up on the latest happenings from around the state. As usual I’ll be updating this post throughout the rest of the afternoon, so check back for the latest.

Hopworks’ Joker Hazy IIPA returns for second year

Portland-based Hopworks Urban Brewery brought back its Joker Hazy Imperial IPA, the fourth beer in the brewery’s Aces Series, as part of HUB’s 13th anniversary celebration. Joker debuted last year, as a “wildcard” entry to the series; from the press release:

“Each year, the Joker, much like a real court jester, will be a wildcard when it comes to its hops and malt bill, so enjoy this year’s batch and look forward to a fresh, new Joker in 2022,” said Matt Speckenbach, Head Brewer at Hopworks. “You might also notice a big 13 on the skull of this year’s label, which signifies our 13th anniversary! Stay tuned for more on that as we plan to celebrate our anniversary at our brewpubs on Earth Day this year.”

With a big body and low bitterness, Joker Imperial Hazy IPA bursts with tropical fruit and spice supplied by Cashmere, Chinook, and Kohatu hops. Joker clocks in at 8.1% ABV and 55 IBU.

Flamingo Planet from Ecliptic returns for spring

Ecliptic Brewing’s spring seasonal, Flamingo Planet Guava Blond Ale, is back and available now:

It’s that time of the year… spring is near! Our fan-favorite Flamingo Planet Guava Blonde Ale is BACK for the season. This bright and refreshing Seasonal Series beer is brewed with guava and lightly hopped with Amarillo and Crystal, making it a perfect brew for these sunny days. Be one of the first to get your hands on a six-pack or pint today at Ecliptic.

The beer is 5.5% ABV with 25 IBUs, and available mid-March through mid-May.

Deschutes + Pink Boots Society brew day

Yesterday (Wednesday the 10th), Deschutes Brewery hosted the Pink Boots Society for a brew day on the brewery’s pilot system; Val Doss from Bevel Craft Brewing attended, and Bevel posted about the brew day this morning:

Val had a blast yesterday helping out with the Pink Boots Society brew day at @deschutesbrewery!

This badass group of women from across the Bend beer scene brewed a pilot batch IPA using the @pinkbootssociety blend of hops by @yakimachief featuring a combo of Cashmere, Citra, Sabro, Loral and Ahtanum!

They finished the brew into two fermenters and took advantage of that by adding two different @imperialyeast strains 007 and A38 to see what the group enjoys more in the end!

Once they like how the pilot turns out, they’ll head over to brew on this beer on the @deschutesbrewerybendpub system and make it available to customers! So keep an eye out for it!!

New tanks at Wayfinder

Portland’s Wayfinder Beer is growing, and took possession of new tanks yesterday:

New tanks comin’ in hot today. We are beyond excited for these beautiful majestic vessels to finally be gracing our brewhouse. We just want to say “Tank” you (sorry we had to), all of you who have supported us through this incredibly treacherous year. We were not sure if we were going to make it but you all showed up again and again and carried us through the damn battlefield called 2020. And now here we are with even more tanks that we will be filling life affirming lagers and Cold IPAs. We appreciate you. Cheers!

New beers list

Plenty of new beers to drink, so let’s get to it:

• Gateway Brewing (Portland): Gateway Hefeweizen: “Quietly coming into Spring with our newest Seasonal- Gateway Hefeweizen- A beer style that helped get all of us to the crazy, hoppy, great beers we make now- sometimes it’s good to step back, look back, and enjoy today. This is Gateway Brewings sixth year Anniversary month- thanks to all of our Friends that helped get us here.”
• Claim 52 Brewing (Eugene): Thicc: Blueberry Pie Puree Gose. “5%. Conditioned on graham cracker crumbs, cinnamon, blueberry puree, and vanilla. $20/4-pack, Limit 4 4-packs per person”
• Gorges Beer (Portland): Trailhead Red: “Back by popular demand, the Trailhead Red offers a balanced combination of hop and malt, at 5.8% ABV. This flavorful beer is perfect after a long day of hiking through the #Gorge- or an urban stroll through #PDX to celebrate spring and an extra hour of daylight this weekend.”
• Great Notion Brewing (Portland): Double Blueberry Cheesecake: “This tart ale is loaded up with blueberries, vanilla and milk sugar for all the delectable goodness of a gooey slice of its namesake dessert. Get a slice for yourself on Friday, when Double Blueberry Cheesecake drops on the app at 9am for pickup orders at all locations (pickup begins at noon), local PDX delivery, and shipping! (8.5% abv) $22/4pack. *contains lactose”
• Yachats Brewing (Yachats): Pacific Wind Hazy IPA and Peche Oak Fermented Saison with Peaches: “Pacific Wind – 6.6% – It’s our coastal take on a classic hazy IPA- one sip and you’ll experience big bold pineapple, citrus, and stone fruit flavors at the nose. This gorgeous brew then mellows into rounder, softer, juiciers notes that leave you really looking forward to the next drink! Peche – 9.5% – This exceptional mixed culture saison features fresh and juicy Earlystar peaches from Mosier, Oregon. Peche is fermented in a large open wine barrel, then transferred onto the fruit and re-fermented for several months, creating an absolute masterpiece!”
• Ruse Brewing (Portland): Towering Trees: “We canned this beer a couple months ago and y’all seemed pretty stoked on it, so we brewed it again, it’s just that simple! Towering Trees was brewed with a trusty base of malted red wheat and a few different doses of Mosaic. 6.9% ABV.”