Happy first Friday of March! Here’s the news in Oregon beer for the weekend of 7th, 8th and 9th. 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.

Today is the first day of the Malt Ball in Portland, which pairs music with beers in a two-day extravaganza: “What happens when you put together the two best things in the world: delicious beer and rocking bands? You get the third annual Malt Ball, a weekend-long fest that celebrates the staggering abundance of terrific music in our city AND the finest craft breweries that the Portland area has to offer. Your pals at the Mercury have partnered with Widmer Brothers Brewing and Oregon Brewers Guild to bring you the best-sounding beer festival in town, or the best-tasting music fest — whichever way you want to look at it.” It’s taking place at the Wonder Ballroom on NE Russell, and costs $20 per day or $50 for the two days together.

Double Mountain Brewery (Hood River) is tapping their Carrie Ladd Steamship Porter today: “Today at 5pm we are officially tapping this year’s batch of CARRIE LADD STEAMSHIP PORTER in our taproom. Although this chocolatey/roasty steam porter will be available in the taproom, it won’t hit the market until later this month in both bottles and on draft.”

Worthy Brewing (Bend): Their Firkin Friday today starting at 4pm is a cask of “Worthy IPA with Centennial and Citra hops and blood orange juice.” That sounds pretty intriguing! Firkin pints are only $3 until the cask is drained.