Here is the Oregon beer news for Thursday, the 5th of March. As usual, I’ll be periodically updating this post throughout the day, so check back often. If you have news to share, please contact me and I can get that posted as well.

McMenamins Old Church & Pub (Wilsonville) has their monthly special beer tasting today starting at 5pm, featuring Purple Monster Fruit Ale: “With spring right around the corner it’s time to take a break from all the heavy dark beers of winter and try something a bit more refreshing. That’s why we took our “Purple People Eater Berry Weizen” and blended it with aged Berliner-weizen to create an exceptionally balanced and crisp fruit beer. Raspberry and boysenberry notes mingle with flavors of fresh cut straw and ripe bananas. A mild tartness balances the beer without dominating it, resulting in a beer that is not only refreshing and light, but layered and complex.” At 4.9% it sounds pretty easy drinking, great to go with the weather we’ve been having.

The Bier Stein (Eugene) is hosting Bend’s Crux Fermentation Project for the Eugene release of their Freakcake Oud Bruin-styled beer, and will be doing a tap takeover as well. “It’s not everyday we get to drink a locally brewed Oud Bruin– a Belgian-style soured, barrel-aged brown ale. Crux Fermentation Project out of Bend, OR produces one– Freakcake– as part of their Banished series. We have bottles for sale, and will have Impasse Saison and Lemon Drop IPA (pub specialty kegs), Nitro Stout, Parkway Pils, Half Hitch Imperial IPA, and of course Freakcake on draught. Brewery rep Matt will have some Crux hats and stickers to give away, and we’ll have a good ol’ time.” The event runs from 5 to 8pm.

Double Mountain Brewery (Hood River) will be in Bend tonight pouring at the Platypus Pub from 6 to 8pm: “Tonight head brewer Kyle Larsen will be at Platypus Pub and The Brew Shop in Bend for an evening of beer talk and delicious Double Mountain beers featuring Devil’s Kriek. Swing by between 6 to 8pm grab a beer, talk brew talk, and get in on some swag giveaway action.”

De Garde Brewing (Tillamook): New tap list available for anyone interested in Oregon wild ales! “We’ve got a fantastic tap list and bottle list for here and to go starting today. Plus, the weather on the coast today and forecasted this weekend is absolutely perfect. It’s like summertime, and we’ve got the new patio to enjoy it!”

Agrarian Ales (Eugene): Their e-newsletter is out today, and they are getting ready to open for the season: “After a beautiful winter out here on the farm, we are excited to announce that our tasting room is reopening Saturday March 21st at 3:00PM. With a redesigned tasting room, amazing new beers, exciting new menu items, bottles, and new hop field, the crew can’t wait to see your smiling faces again. Hopefully the sun will be shining. See you soon!”

Oakshire Brewing (Eugene): Two days ago they released the latest in their Single Batch series, one I would love to get my hands on: Gose to 11. “Liquid sunshine brewed for an Oregon spring day delivered at the tail end of a mild winter. Visuals of golden haze followed by Lactic-tart aromatics set the stage for a uniquely refreshing intercourse of salt and tart flavor. Coriander lends a spicy counterpoint to this German wheat ale creating a flavor sensation that goes to 11!”

Boneyard Brewing (Bend) revealed the new art for their Hop-A-Wheelie IPA today. What do you think?