Now that April Fools is over we can get back to regular Oregon beer news, so here we go! As usual, I’ll be periodically updating this post throughout the day with the latest news, so check back often for updates. And if you have news to share, please contact me and I can get that posted as well.

The Oregon Garden Brewfest is coming up in just a few weeks! It takes place Friday, April 26th through Sunday the 28th at the Oregon Garden in Silverton, and if you remember my review from last year you’ll know this is a cool fest at a cool venue, and this year’s is even bigger—something like 62 breweries will be pouring over 125 beers! There’s also going to be ciders, meads, wine, food and live music so it’s going to be a great weekend and I’d highly recommend attending. (I will be!)

Cascade Brewing (Portland): Tonight’s Tap It Tuesday event at the Barrel House at 6pm is featuring “Live” Chocolate Bourbonic Plague (2011). (Yum!) “This NW style sour ale is a spiced double porter that was aged 24 months in Heaven Hill Bourbon barrels with spices and dark fruit. Complex aromas of dark malts and spices combine with sweet vanillin and notes of Bourbon. Tart, rich Bourbon, vanillin and dark fruits with notes of dates, oak, leather and tobacco and hints of milk chocolate dance on the palate. Tart dark fruits and a warming Bourbon and chocolate flavor finish this off as only Bourbonic can. 12% ABV | $8 8oz pour | $3 taster. Once the live barrel runs out, this will also be a limited draft project on tap.”

Cascade Lakes Brewing (Redmond): Their popular Cyclops IPA is now being released in six-packs, as announced today in press release; it will be distributed throughout Oregon, Washington, and Idaho. “This seasonal beer has previously only been available on draft and in 22 oz. bottles. Cyclops IPA is a hops-lovers beer. The substantial gravity is met by five hop varieties which yield striking flavor and aroma. It is an aromatic IPA. The grains include 2-Row Pale malt, Crystal, and Munich. The hops varieties are Warrior, Willamette, Liberty, Cascade, and Centennial.”

The New School has info on four new brewing projects coming to Portland: a new “blending house” for Cascade Brewing (partially true from yesterday’s April Fools post); The Homebrew Exchange possibly opening a brewpub; Culmination Brewing in Southwest Portland that has some amazingly cool-sounding tech aspects (controlling the brewery from a web browser!); and Royale Brewing, a possible from mobile bottling company Green Bottling. Interesting stuff, go read the full article for the details.