Here’s the news in Oregon beer for this Thursday, March 25; I’ll be updating this post throughout the rest of the day with additional news items as I find them, so check back in on it periodically.

Pelican releases Paddleback Oceanic Pale Ale

Pelican Brewing is releasing its newest year-round pale ale, Paddleback Oceanic Pale Ale, brewed with Australian and New Zealand hops. It’s got 5.7% ABV and 40 IBUs, available now in 12-ounce cans and on draft. From the press release:

Don’t be misled by Paddleback’s modest ABV. This pale ale still packs a hoppy punch and aroma by blending Galaxy hops from Australia, and Nelson Sauvin hops from New Zealand. Pelican carefully selected these two hop styles to create a complex but balanced hop character with flavors of sauvignon blanc grapes for a bright and refreshing pale ale ideal for post-surf stories, kayak adventures, or warm weather patio sipping.

Beachcrest introduces Rare Tiki Stash series

Speaking of coastal breweries… Beachcrest Brewing in Gleneden Beach introduced its new Rare Tiki Stash series last weekend, which the brewery describes as “a series of seasonal beers that combines our love of two things: making fun off-the-wall brews with exciting ingredients and Tiki culture!” The first beer in the series is Piña Colada Milkshake IPA:

Inspired by the classic tropical cocktail, the Piña Colada Milkshake IPA takes a delicious hazy and juicy IPA, drops in copious amounts of coconut and pineapple and finishes with a bit of lactose to create a beer that will transport your tastebuds to warm sunny shores.

Last chance to invest in McMenamins

McMenamins was hit particularly hard by the pandemic over the past year, so much so that last summer the company opened up to outside investors for the first time. This week the company announced that it’s approaching the completion of the fundraising and will end investment opportunities on April 30.

Until then, we are looking for accredited investors who are interested in revitalizing neighborhoods, honoring art, bringing history to life, building community and creating fun. Additional benefits include financial returns, a welcome package of McMenamins beverages, a $500 gift card and investor discounts on everything from hotel rooms to wine.

Interested or know someone who might be? Learn more at Invest.McMenamins.com.

Now’s the time, if you’ve ever been interested in having a financial stake in the company.

Block 15 celebrates 13 years and Revolves around its 13th Anniversary Bière de Champagne

Corvallis’ Block 15 Brewing is celebrating 13 years brewing beer this year, and this weekend the brewery is releasing its 13th anniversary specialty—a Bière de Champagne named Revolve:

To revolve is to orbit in a curved path, never stopping or standing still. As we enter our 13th year of constant development, this Bière de Champagne was designed to showcase superb ingredients and advanced techniques. Featuring only Oregon-grown and malted Mecca Grade pilsner and pale malts, fermentation with select brettanomyces, and maturation in apple brandy barrels for over a year before bottling in the Méthode Traditionnelle. Bottles were riddled in a traditional rack, disgorged to remove the yeast, and finally corked and caged. Revolve symbolizes our desire to remain in constant motion, without forgetting where we come from.

It’s a limited release, available this Saturday for the brewery’s drive-thru release sale.

Wayfinder news beers, & re-opening outdoor seating

Portland’s Wayfinder Beer in its recent email newsletter announced its soon-to-be re-opening plans, taking place April 2nd:

Starting April 2nd we will be reopening our elevated deck patio, as well as street seating Fridays – Sundays from Noon to 10PM. All seating will be outside for now in socially distanced, covered and heated areas.

Wayfinder also has fresh beers coming out, including Smoked Bock for Mastodon (3/29), Export 66 Dortmunder-style lager (3/29), and Pärty Time Pilsner (4/2).

McMenamins Old St. Francis School High Gravity Brewfest returns this weekend

Speaking of McMenamins, the High Gravity Brewfest, the signature event of the Old St. Francis School in Bend, is returning this weekend—though with covid, I’m not sure I can see how well this is going to work out, honestly. This year it’s a two-day event, taking place on Saturday and Sunday, the 27th and 28th, outdoors at the Fireside Courtyard. The event is split into six sessions over the two days, with limited capacity (obviously). The cost is $15 admission, with the option to purchase individual tasters, or $25 with includes 10 3-ounce tasters.

Bierly is prepping for a move

Bierly Brewing in McMinnville is getting ready for a new location; from Facebook:

Our move is… moving forward! We will soon be at 624 NE 3rd St in McMinnville, just eight blocks south and a few blocks over from our current location. We will be moving our tasting room operations first, and then moving brewery equipment over the next month. A HUGE thank you to everyone who has helped make this happen! We couldn’t have done it without you.

Because the next couple weeks are a bit uncertain, we’re putting a pause on preorders and reservations for this weekend. The last thing we want to do is schedule orders and reservations and then not be able to follow through. We will be open and serving this weekend, out of one location or another, but on a first-come first-served basis.

Ecliptic + Chuckanut Vienna Lager collaboration

Ecliptic Brewing teamed up with Washington’s Chuckanut Brewery for its latest Cosmic Collaboration, Vienna Lager, and the brewery has a virtual release party scheduled for April 1. Details:

Ecliptic + Chuckanut Vienna Lager is here! This Cosmic Collaboration with our friends Will and Mari Kemper from Chuckanut Brewery & Kitchen was brewed with Barke Vienna and Pilsner Malts, as well as traditional German hops. The result is a crisp, copper-hued lager with aromas of light toast, balanced by some malt sweetness.

We want to celebrate with you! Our Virtual Release Party with Ecliptic Brewing’s John Harris and Chuckanut Brewery’s Mari & Will Kemper will be on April 1st from 5:30-6pm via Zoom.

Get some Vienna Lagar and join the party on the 1st!

New Saison from Ruse out today

Portland’s Ruse Brewing has its latest beer, Architect, out today. It’s a dry hopped saison of modest strength definitely worth checking out:

If you don’t like dry hopped Saisons naturally carbonated in green bottles please read no further. However, if you do like the those things, you are in luck. Architect was fermented with French Saison yeast, dry hopped with Cascade and Crystal then bottle conditioned with champagne yeast for 3 months. We think this beer is lovely, you should too. 4.8% ABV.

Upright is turning 12, with a barrel aged Birthday Blend saison

Upright Brewing is celebrating its 12th anniversary this Saturday with a special new beer to go:

Our Birthday Blend is the icing on the cake for our anniversary beer lineup! To celebrate our 12th year around the sun, we’ve got a delicious new hop forward, barrel-aged saison! Stop by the tasting room for our anny this Saturday, March 27th to pick up a crowler to go!

Birthday Blend is a wine and gin barrel-aged hoppy saison with 6.5% ABV; you can order it online for $15 a crowler.

Baerlic with a new double hazy

Portland’s Baerlic Brewing has a new beer out today:

We’ve got a BRAND NEW double hazy for you! Green Matter Double Hazy IPA – 8% ABV. Brewed with loads of Simcoe, El Dorado and Comet hops for notes of grapefruit, sticky candy and pine! Nom, Nom, Nom…