It’s the start of the weekend once again! This weekend seems relatively quiet, but there’s always some interesting news to find, so here we go for Friday, the 22nd of March and next couple of days. As usual, I’ll be periodically updating this post throughout the day with the latest news as I find it, so check back often. If you have news to share, please contact me and I can get that posted as well.

Fearless Brewing (Estacada) has a Spring Equinox release party tomorrow (Saturday the 23rd) for their seasonal Maibock and an experimental hop beer dubbed Mosaic (after the hop of the same name). The event kicks off at 5:30pm at the brewpub.

Southern Oregon Brewing (Medford) is now canning! It’s nice to see another brewery offering up their wares in cans, and it looks like their IPA is the first to be available (like GoodLife and Oakshire as well): “Cans of SOB are now available at the brewery!!! Nice Rack is being canned as we speak and Na Zdravi will be canned tomorrow. For you loyal SOBs out there, we will have cans on sale until the end of the month. 16oz cans are $2, 4 packs are $8 and cases are $48. Thats 20% off what the prices will be when it hits the store!” With all the canned Oregon IPAs on the market now, it may be time (and fun) to do a “canned IPA showdown” tasting at some point.

The Whole Foods Market in Bend is holding a special “Silent Auction Brewfest” today from 4 to 7pm featuring a number of local brewers and a silent auction with prizes donated by many of the brewers and other organizations. 100% of the proceeds from the event will go to the Whole Planet Foundation, dedicated to wiping out global poverty. Price is $5 admission, which gets you a commemorative pint glass and five drink tokens.

Sky High Brewing (Corvallis): Not only did they release their new Big Air XX IPA yesterday, but for their new upcoming beer they are holding a naming contest: “HELP! WE NEED A NAME FOR OUR SPRING SESSION ALE!!! WIN BEER AND SHELTER!!! RELEASES APRIL 10TH. If we use your name, you get a t-shirt, a growler full of beer of your choice, a logo glass to drink it from, and oh ya, immortality. This ale is hoppy – of the pleasant, floral variety, light and spingy, 5% alcohol ,,,,,, affable and ambulant, happy at home but ready to hit the road. Brewed with love, and with Cascade and Centennial hops developed at OSU. A real knockout. Send us your names by fb. Or drop them off at the Tap Room. Include your name and a contact. Have fun”