Here is the news and events in Oregon beer for Thursday, March 23. As usual, I’ll be updating this post periodically throughout the day, so check back occasionally. If you have news to share, please contact me and I can get that posted as well.

McMenamins 23rd Avenue Bottle Shop (Portland) is hosting a Lagunitas Pints & Pups Night from 6 to 8pm this evening: “Lagunitas is coming in to pour samples of some delicious beers. So grab your puppy for a walk down to McMenamins 23rd Avenue Bottles Shop, try some beer, and grab a nice treat for your four-legged friend.”

Portland’s Imperial Bottle Shop is hosting Pelican Brewing in from Pacific City for a beer tasting tonight from 5 to 7pm: “We’ll be pouring a 4-beer lineup from the Oregon Coast’s Pelican Brewing Company, including: Kiwanda Cream Ale, Mosaic IPA, Hombre Amber, and Papa T Imperial Stout. And Maia from pelican will be here giving out awesome prizes!”

Beer writer and blogger Jeff Alworth has a new book out, The Secrets of Master Brewers, and tonight in Hood River at Columbia Center for the Arts Jeff is leading a book discussion and launch: “Best-selling author Jeff Alworth takes serious beer aficionados on a behind-the-scenes tour of 26 major European and North American breweries that create some of the world’s most classic beers. In his book you learn how the Irish make stout, the secrets of traditional Czech pilsner, and what makes English cask ale unique by delving deep into the specific techniques, equipment, and geographical factors that shape these distinctive styles. Jeff will discuss the process of writing the book along with insider knowledge and 26 original recipes to guide experienced homebrewers in developing your own special versions of each style. Beer tastings will be provided by three local breweries included in the book: Double Mountain Brewery & Taproom, Solera Brewery, & pFriem Family Brewers. Ticket price includes beer tastings from each brewery. Event is 21+ years only and guests will need to provide ID.” Those tickets cost $5, a great deal!

Worthy Brewing (Bend) is set to release their latest beer in cans, Stoker Red Ale. From the press release issued today: “Worthy Brewing is adding a fifth can to their line-up this spring. Introducing Stoker Red Ale, a hoppy beer designed to stoke your passions and keep them lit. Stoker Red will be available in 12-ounce cans this April. Several months ago, Worthy made the hard decision to discontinue their Eruption Imperial Red. Brewmaster Dustin Kellner took this opportunity to create a more sessionable, judiciously juiced red inspired by its retired cousin. For bittering, Worthy’s Brewers added Nugget and CTZ. For aroma and flavor, they added Oregon grown Cascade and Centennial Hops and topped it off with Mandarina Bavaria, a German hop whose mother is Cascade. The final numbers come in at 6.6% ABV and 66 IBU.” That should be hitting shelves now.

Crux Fermentation Project (Bend) invites you to Drink the High Desert from 6 to 8pm: “Head on over to our Tasting Room for the debut of Hop Jack IPA, a beer inspired by a hike in the high desert with Oregon Natural Desert Association. Head Brewer Cam O’Connor & ONDA’s Gena Goodman-Campbell will talk about the hike and the beer. Plus, $1 for every pint of Hop Jack IPA sold will go to ONDA.”