Here’s the news in Oregon beer for Thursday, the 19th of April. As usual I’ll be periodically updating this news post throughout the day, so check back often to see the latest. If you have news to share, please contact me and I will get it posted.

Do you have tickets for tomorrow night’s Preview Dinner for Portland’s Cheers to Belgian Beers yet? The dinner is from 5:30 to 8:30 at the PCTBB venue of Metalcraft Fabrication, and costs $40 (and is 21 and over only): “$40 gets you twelve drink tickets, a stemmed tasting glass, program, and Mussels and Frites and Beer Braised Brussel Sprouts from Fork, Knife & Spoon Catering . Tickets must be purchased in advance.” You can purchase the tickets directly from the form on the PCTBB site. What are you waiting for?

Early notice: Coalition Brewing (Portland) is having their 2nd anniversary on June 16, but they’ve put the word out now for a homebrew showcase and competition that they are holding in conjunction with their anniversary: “Competition guidlines: This is a “Session Beer” competition so entries must be 5% ABV or below. The rest is up to you! The entries will be judged by local brewers and industry folk. Awards will be given for “Best Light” “Best Dark” and “Best Overall”. “Best Light” and “Best Dark” will be awarded a gift certificate to Coalition, while “Best Overall” will brew that recipe in our Brewery. The final product will be showcased at our 2nd Anniversary Party on June 16th.”  Deadline for entries is May 13, and the Best Overall winner must be available during the week of the 18 through the 25 to brew their beer at Coalition. The entry fee is $5 (per entry)—if you have some killer session homebrew, you should be all over this!

The Ale Apothecary (Bend): Paul Arney posted this picture on Facebook the other day (part of a set he’d uploaded) of the tiny brewery, and I’m linking to it for no other reason than I really, really like that shot—a good visual summary of what The Ale Apothecary is (and frankly, brewery porn!).

Vertigo Brewing (Hillsboro): Always glad to see Oregon’s craft brewers growing! From this Facebook post: “Vertigo Brewing is pleased to announce a partnership with General Distributing to distribute Vertigo Razz Wheat and a winter seasonal (TBD) in 7 counties here in Oregon. This is an exciting step in our continued growth and we look forward to the opportunity to work with General and expand our distribution area to allow a much larger community to enjoy Vertigo beer!” Congrats!

Rock Bottom Brewery (Portland) is releasing a new beer today, tapping at 5:30pm: Dimwit Dark Belgian White Ale, a “Traditional Belgian dark wheat ale that’s fruity with hints of chocolate.” (via Oregon Brewers Guild)

The Green Dragon (Portland): Tonight’s Meet the Brewer event features Pale Horse Brewing out of Salem: “There was a last minute change to the schedule – sorry for the inconvenience. Join us for a pint and meet the brewer- this week featuring Pale Horse Brewing Company. Beers tapped at 5pm and Meet the Brewer begins at 6pm.”

Bend Brewing (Bend): Good news, the excellent (and rare!) Lovely Cherry Baltic Porter will be going on tap at the Brewpub this Saturday! This is a fantastic beer and I can only imagine how time has aged it; this is definitely one you should make a special trip to BBC for.