Hope you’re ready for official Tax Day today—as well as beautiful spring weather! (Forecasted to be in the 80s here in Bend and elsewhere which is perfect patio beer weather…) Here’s the Oregon beer news for Monday, April 18. As usual, I’ll be periodically updating this post throughout the day with the latest news as I find it, so check back often. And if you have news to share, please contact me and I can get that posted as well.

Boneyard Beer (Bend): From a press release issued last week, they are releasing a special Bert Grant commemorative beer, The Ale Master IPA: “Boneyard is retiring the use of its historic copper brew kettle originally acquired from Bert Grant’s Brewery Pub in Yakima, WA. Before replacing the copper kettle Boneyard brewed a limited release IPA to celebrate its history and to honor the late Bert Grant – often considered the pioneer of the modern day American IPA. Named after Bert Grant’s legacy, The Ale Master IPA, can be categorized as a dank, resinous IPA with a medium bodied mouthfeel and a strong hop presence. Ale Master IPA will be available at the end of April.” I’ll have more on this in a more detailed post, but this will be a beer to be on the lookout for!

Portland Brewing has a unique way to promote this year’s SMASH Pale Ale—by teaming up with Dark Horse Comics to produce a comic book-inspired super hero “SMASH” poster. From the press release: “The illustration highlights S.M.A.S.H.’s powerful combination of one hop and one malt by turning them into characters. Captain Simcoe Hop is seen riding a bottle of S.M.A.S.H. Pale Ale across the Willamette River with his trusty side-kick, Vienna Malt. Their goal — take down the evil villain, Summer Thirst. [Artist] Ron Randall will be signing the exclusive S.M.A.S.H. posters at various locations throughout Portland this summer. Portland Brewing is also giving away 50 limited-edition 64oz. growlers featuring the S.M.A.S.H. comic cover between May and July. Want one? Just text SIMCOE to 55678 to be entered into the contest and you could win one.”

Crux Fermentation Project (Bend): Their Monday night BEER’ducation series event is tackling Stout vs. Porter. “Our BEER’DUCATION SERIES of beer menu specials are designed to stimulate greater appreciation and understanding of craft beer through the self-guided experience of comparing and contrasting variations in styles and brewing processes. Each Monday evening, a different Crux beer will be highlighted via a special beer menu offering that includes a tasting guide to help you make the most of your experience.” They have their Nitro Stout and their Porter on tap, and for a bonus you might want to grab a bottle of their Banished Tough Love Imperial Stout. It runs from 4 to 9pm.

This Saturday, April 23rd, is Bailey’s Taproom‘s 6th annual GermanFest! Details here: “Beginning at Noon we’ll be offering a full line up of German-style beers from Oregon breweries. Check back for a full list of beers and breweries. Additional fun begins at 6PM upstairs (The Upper Lip) with a musically German inspired chronology of electronic music (Krautrock or Berlin School if you will). Stay ’til Midnight!”

Three Creeks Brewing (Sisters): Their annual “IPApril” event returns this weekend, running from Friday the 22nd through Sunday the 24th: “It’s that time again. Eight fabulous Oregon IPAs on tap at Three Creeks for three fleeting days. Come in, order a taster tray and cast your vote for “Best in Show”. Don’t miss this never to be seen again line-up: Three Creeks – Raptor, Three Creeks – Crowdpleaser, Three Creeks – Hoodoo Voodoo, Bend Brewing Co.- Hophead IPA, Buoy IPA, Ecliptic – Orbiter IPA, Mazama – Mosaic Eruption, and Lompoc – Pamplemousse.” This is a fun annual tradition that will hop you right out.

Steens Mountain Brewing (Burns): Their new anti-occupation beer is available now: “The Harney Strong Ale is now available in 22 oz bottles. Only at the brewery. Hurry, they won’t last long!” The beer was brewed both to commemorate the solidarity of Harney County against the Malheur Refuge occupation that took place earlier this year and as a thumbed nose to the occupiers.

Montavilla Brew Works (Portland): They have a new beer available as well: “We’re happy to announce the release of our second beer collaboration with a local business: FAT TRIBBLE SESSION IPA! Just in time for Portland Pizza Week, we’ve teamed up with East Glisan Pizza to brew a special session beer that goes great with pizza, warmer weather and the original series of Star Trek! This session IPA was brewed with our base malt blend and 10% Flaked Triticale from Bob’s Red Mill Natural Foods for a subtle creamy (wheat) and spicy (rye) flavor. On top of that, we blended Horizon, Cascade and Crystal hops from Indie Hops for an incredibly green floral, herbal, spicy and citrusy aroma extravaganza! Available now at East Glisan and on tap at MBW this Wednesday at 3pm.”