Here’s a Friday roundup of the week’s news in beer from around Oregon. I hope everyone has a good weekend in store, but take it easy as COVID-19 levels are on the rise again; counties might be going back to “Extreme” risk within a week.

As usual I’ll continue to update this post throughout the afternoon, so check back in for the latest.

Newport Brewing is for sale

First up, The New School has the news that Newport Brewing Company is for sale, or at least for an investor.

Newport Brewing Company on the Oregon coast is looking for a buyer to take on the brand, restaurant, property and wholesale contracts for the nearly 2-year-old business for $6.5 million dollars. The space with a view of the Newport Bay and Yaquina bridge is prime, and the business is successful according to owner Brodie Becksted: “Things have actually been great. We have two distributors and growing very nicely. In approximately 200 locations in Oregon right now and growing.”

The decision to put the brewery up for sale did not come lightly, and it’s clear that he doesn’t relish the thought as he only plans to have it listed for two months to see what kind of offers he finds. At the same time, a partnership might be an even more appealing opportunity to both parties.

So it’s not closing anytime soon (that we know of) but it sounds like pandemic has had quite an affect on the young comopany. Read through for all the details.

Rogue Ales introduces Raspberry Tartlandia

Down the road from Newport Brewing, Rogue Ales announced its newest beer, Raspberry Tartlandia, a fruited gose brewed with Oregon ingredients:

Rogue Ales & Spirits releases Raspberry Tartlandia, a sour ale brewed with raspberry, coriander and hand-harvested salt from Newport’s Yaquina Bay. This delicious tart and salty gose pays homage to our home in Oregon, with ingredients from the Oregon Coast and inspiration from the culinary wonderland that is Portland.

This summer seasonal is 4.9% ABV with 9 IBUs, and will be available May through August.

New limited-edition Stratascope IPA from Ninkasi

Eugene’s Ninkasi Brewing is launching a new spring-summer seasonal with its Stratascope IPA, featuring (as you probably inferred) Strata hops. Details from the press release:

Stratascope IPA strongly features the strata hop and is available now on draft, in 6-packs and 12-packs of 12oz. bottles, and in a 19.2oz. can throughout Ninkasi’s distribution footprint.

Stratascope IPA is just one recent success from Ninkasi Brewing’s new 5-barrel Pilot system. This beer was originally brewed on their innovative small-batch system in February 2020 and then scaled up to production levels for this release throughout their distribution channels.

“Every so often, a hop comes along that shines unlike any other variety before it. Strata’s hop character of stone fruits like apricot and peach dance with passionfruit and grapefruit atop a light dank platform to create a powerful geometry that’s ready to dazzle from within. Crack open a Stratascope and discover the depth of flavors the strata hop presents.”

Stratascope is 6.4% ABV and 49 IBUs.

Cascade Lakes’ Lotus Pils returns in May

Redmond-based Cascade Lakes Brewing announced the return of its Lotus Pils, an unfiltered pilsner featuring Lotus hops. Lotus is an easy-drinking 4.8% ABV with 20 IBUs; from the press release:

Another sure sign of spring’s arrival in the Pacific Northwest, Cascade Lakes Brewing Co. has announced the launch of its Lotus Pils seasonal brew beginning May 1. For those unable to enjoy a pint at one of Cascade Lakes’ Central Oregon pub locations where it is already on draught and in cans, Lotus Pils will be available in six-pack 12 oz. cans at Oregon and Washington grocery stores, and at select PNW bars and restaurants through August.

Crisp, refreshing, and unfiltered, Lotus Pils features waves of orange, candied grape, and light tropical aromas, and is named after the Lotus hop whose characteristics are in full bloom in the brew.

Two Thorns cider returns from 2 Towns

Corvallis’ 2 Towns Ciderhouse is celebrating the return of soccer with the returning release of its raspberry and rose cider, Two Thorns:

2 Towns Ciderhouse invites their supporters to celebrate the true arrival of spring, and the kickoff of the Portland Thorns FC’s 2021 season, with the return of everyone’s favorite spring seasonal cider; Two Thorns!

An award-winning blend of Northwest apples, Oregon-grown raspberries, and whole rose petals, Two Thorns is a breathtaking tribute to spring and the cidery’s excitement for this new season. Lofting floral aromatics meld beautifully with the sharp, berry tartness of the raspberries, with a base of fresh-pressed apples tying it all together delightfully.

Inspired by the fierce and awe-inspiring players of the Portland Thorns FC, this fan-favorite is the perfect drink to have while cheering on the team, or sipping on while basking in the warm spring sunshine.

The 5.5% ABV cider is available in 12-ounce cans and on draft.

New beers list

The perpetual round-up of new (or newly returning) beers continues…

• Beachcrest Brewing (Gleneden Beach): Galactic Funk IPA releasing Friday (4/23): “Galactic Funk is a little extra. Extra hazy, extra hoppy, extra tropical, it’s like an atom bomb of hops in your beer-hole. Galaxy, Ella and Ellie D mix and mash to wake up your taste buds and blow you out of the water.”
• 10 Barrel Brewing (Bend): Reel Good Summer Ale: “We partnered with our friends at Simms Fishing for our latest limited release. This Kolsch-style summer ale is clean, crisp, balanced and almost as light as a dry fly. The cans fit conveniently in the front pocket of your Simms waders and this beer pairs well with your favorite backcountry fishing spot.”
• Block 15 Brewing (Corvallis): Fresca Pils Italian Pilsner returns for the brewery’s Saturday Drive-Thru release. “A crisp, hop-forward Italian-style Pilsner brewed with Italian Eraclea Pilsner malt and generously hopped with European Styrian hops, lending zippy notes of citrus, berries, and fresh-cut grass. designed in cooperation with label artist Chris Herbst of Ashland’s Flow Factory NW.”
• Also now on tap at Block 15: Tropic Trip Hazy Pale Ale. “Riding an epic wave of mango, pineapple and citrus notes, Tropic Trip delivers a golden-hued hazy pale ale with moderate bitterness and a smooth finish. This tropical escape is an exclusive draft-only offering, made to enjoy fresh from the tap!”
• Claim 52 Brewing (Eugene): Thicc: Mystery 4 Puree Gose. “5%. Conditioned on lychee, pineapple, Mango, blueberry, lime and vanilla. $20/4-pack, Limit 4 4-packs per person. This Friday 4/23, Thicc will be sold via the online ordering system for The Kitchen – Toast Tab. You can find the link to Toast Tab in our bio.”
• Covered Bridge Brewing Group (Cottage Grove): Oregon Sunshine Belgian Pale. “6.0% ABV, 17 IBU. Golden Belgian style pale with noticeable hop bitterness and a fruity, bready finish.”
• Culmination Brewing (Portland): A new taproom exclusive, Yavin 4: “Featuring excessive amounts of Strata and Cashmere hops, Yavin 4 has quickly become one of our favorite Northwest India Pale Ale’s we’ve brewed this year. Pilsner malt with a kiss of spelt and rye provide a robust and complex foundation for notes of tropical pineapple, resinous pine, and candied citrus.”
• Walkabout Brewing (Medford): Brewgrass: “Its back! Brewgrass! Our limited edition pilsner made in collaboration with our friends The John Dough Boys! This is the perfect summer weather beer! Crisp, refreshing, delicious! And all you IPA fans, don’t sleep on this! Tapped last night! Come try some in our outback today (before the weekend rain comes!)”
• Santiam Brewing (Salem): Patio Pale: “A Scottish Pale Single-Malt quaffable ale finished with Citiva Hops. This smooth, hybrid style beer is made with all Scottish Pale malt and yeast and comes in at a friendly 4.9% ABV and a moderate 32 IBU.”