Here’s your Monday beer news for the start of this final week of March. 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 let me know and I can get that updated as well.

Crux Fermentation Project (Bend): Tonight’s beer event is a Beer Seminar, “The Craft of Branding Craft,” which begins at 6pm tonight: “Paul & Bobby Evers will walk us through the thinking behind the heart and soul of the Crux Brand. Including the story behind the name, logo and packaging. A brief presentation will be followed by a Q/A.” That should be interesting as co-owner Paul Evers comes from a marketing/branding/advertising background.

Cascade Brewing (Portland) announced a collaboration project with California’s Bruery Terreux (a spin-off of The Bruery) that will kick off with a party on Friday, April 15 at the Barrel House. From the press release: “The event will launch with a special live barrel tapping at 6pm by brewers from Bruery Terreux; this will be followed by an evening with Bruery Terreux featuring five of the brewery’s sour beers and one non-sour (from The Bruery). Fans can look forward to tasting Filmishmish, Humulus Terreux, Oude Tart with Cherries, Sourrento, Blue BBLS and White Chocolate (the non-sour). The highlight of the lineup will be a collaboration blend with Cascade, a limited 10 gallon batch made solely for the event. Bruery Terreux team members are traveling to Portland specifically to design a recipe with Cascade for a beer that is projected to be released in bottles by both breweries in 2017. Cascade brewers will be heading to Bruery Terreux in May to continue the collaboration process.” It’s a longer-term project but one that should be interesting to watch (and taste!).

The diminutively-named Nano Beer Fest is coming up in just under two weeks, taking place at John’s Marketplace in Portland on April 9 and 10 (Saturday and Sunday). “Now in its 8th year, the festival has upped the ante with over 30 Nano breweries (of beer, cider and mead) from the Northwest. Our Nano Beer Fest is the ‘World’s Largest Nano Beer Fest’ – the complete list can be found at http://nanobeerfest.com/. Besides tastings from these brewers, we will raffles off rare bottles of beer, beer memorabilia/swag, and other great prizes every hour of the festival with 100% of the proceeds benefitting the Oregon Humane Society (http://www.oregonhumane.org/). The OHS will also be onsite Sunday Noon-3 with dogs & puppies available for adoption!” There’s no charge for entry, though “$20 package includes a commemorative glass, 10 drink tickets and one raffle ticket.”

Terminal Gravity Brewing (Enterprise): They have a new beer out starting today, Cross Eyed Cricket IPA. From the press release: “With the perfect blend of Eureka, Simcoe, and Mosiac hops, Cross Eyed Cricket IPA boasts huge pineapple and passion fruit aromas that will make your head spin. Gentle notes of piney citrus round out the generous hop profile. Cross Eyed Cricket is bright; golden in the glass with a crisp bitterness throughout while perfectly placed at 65 IBU’s and 7.2%.”

Sunriver Brewing (Sunriver): Today is their first day of canning! Based on the photos they posted, it looks like their very first cans are their Rippin Northwest Ale, and it looks to be a mobile canning system. Regardless, we get to look forward a new Central Oregon canned beer on the shelves!

Deschutes Brewery (Bend): This Friday, April 1, they are releasing their Armory XPA in six-packs for the first time (previously it was only available in 22-ounce bottles), and accordingly they are holding a launch party at the Portland Pub where it got its start: “It’s a moment many of us have been waiting for … Armory XPA will be available for sale in 6-packs! This was the FIRST beer brewed here at our #Portland location, making this event all the more special and close to home! Come celebrate with us ALL DAY Friday, April 1st! Bottle and case sales begin at 11AM – but don’t miss the fun; throughout the day we will be offering samples of this delicious experimental pale ale, culinary parings and swag giveaways!” The Bend Pub will also have a celebration, and you can join in on their Armory Experiment survey to weigh in on the various hops that will be used in the recipe throughout the year. (Presumably the highest-rated version will become the new regular.)