Happy April Fools’ Day! No jokes here, just news in Oregon beer for this first weekend of April! As usual, I’ll be periodically updating this post throughout the day with the latest news, so check back often. If you have news to share, please contact me and I can get that posted as well.

Deschutes Brewery (Bend): Today is the release of their Armory XPA in 12-ounce bottles and six-packs (phasing out the 22-ounce bombers) and they are celebrating all day long at both pubs. In Portland, where Armory was first brewed, they say: “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!” And in Bend, they will be celebrating all day long with samples of Armory and food specials.

Double Mountain Brewery (Hood River) will be at the Loyal Legion in Portland today (Friday) for the release of their Pale Death Belgian-style Imperial IPA as well as a tap takeover: “Pale Death is back, and to celebrate we are having a release party with over 12 beers from Double Mountain, meet the brewer and giveaways.” Pale Death is 8.5% abv and 88 IBUs, brewed with coriander and orange peel and Ardennes yeast.

Portland’s Imperial Bottle Shop is hosting an April Fools’ beer night with Base Camp Brewing and Culmination Brewing from 6 to 9pm: “Base Camp Brewing Company and Culmination Brewing Company are taking the reigns behind our bar on April Fool’s! They’ll be guest bartending for the night, each pouring their variations of a collaboration beer and more. Make sure you tip our guest bartenders big, because the joke’s on them; all tips still go to our amazing staff!”

The Bier Stein (Eugene) has a “Macro Tap Takeover” today you’re going to want to check out! “Join us for a tasting of the entire Budweiser lineup! Premium, Lite, Platinum… Just fooling! In reality we’re tapping our first keg of a new year-round release from Lagunitas Brewing called Aunt Sally. Don’t be fooled– this dry-hopped kettle-soured beer is going to please just about everybody. Additionally, we’ll tap a real joker: Pranqster, the Belgian golden strong ale from North Coast. Remember, don’t make [too much of] a fool out of yourself!”

Portland Cider Company is holding the grand opening of their Clackamas taproom location this weekend, Friday and Saturday the 1st and 2nd: “Free admission! This is a 21+ event. Bands, Food, Cider, and More! $5 pints of cider [and beer]. Growler fills priced as marked. To avoid long lines, we will have multiple stations where you can purchase cider! Cash and credit accepted, but know there is no ATM on site.”

Baerlic Brewing (Portland) this Saturday the 2nd they are launching their “Selfie Fest,” celebrating (nano)breweries that self-distribute: “We’re launching the Selfie Fest Roadshow this Saturday in Portland byt taking over all the taps at Imperial Bottle Shop & Taproom with our friends from Bent Shovel Brewing, Wolf Tree Brewery, 13 Virtues Brewing Co., Sasquatch Brewing Company, Vanguard Brewing, and Gateway Brewing. Come help us celebrate all the breweries and cideries that not only make great beer, but also do all the marketing, selling and distributing of their great beverages all by themselves.”