Here is the news in Oregon beer for Tuesday, the 21st of April. As usual, I’ll be periodically updating this post throughout the day, so check back often for the latest news. If you have news to share, please contact me and I can get that updated as well.

This weekend the inaugural Rogue Valley Fermentation Celebration kicks off in Medford, taking place this Friday the 24th (5 to 10pm) and Saturday the 25th (noon to 10pm). This fest was inspired by Bend’s Little Woody and indeed is put on by Lay It Out Events (the same company), so expect beers, ciders, and whiskeys; you can check out the beer list here. Basic entry is $5, and a tasting package (glass, entry, 6 tokens) costs $16 in advance and $20 at the door (you can buy advance tickets here).

The Oregon Garden Brewfest is taking place in June this year, from Friday the 19th through Sunday the 21st, and tickets are on sale now for their Brewer’s Tasting Dinner taking place Thursday evening the 18th at the Oregon Garden Resort (all of which is over in Silverton). The Dinner is great, featuring six courses paired with beer (of course) with each brewery talking a bit about their beer as it and that course are presented. This year’s breweries are Buoy Beer, Crux Fermentation Project, Ex Novo Brewing, Ecliptic Brewing, Vagabond Brewing, and Wild Ride Brewing. Tickets cost $50 and are well worth the price, available online here. Mark you calendars and get your tickets now!

Cascade Brewing (Portland): Tonight’s Tap It Tuesday event at the Barrel House at 6pm is featuring “Live” Cherry Vlad: “a NW style sour quad aged in Bourbon barrels for nine months before maturing on pie cherries for an additional eight months. This single-barrel release features aromas of cherry pie, cherry candy and Bourbon. A vibrant acidity is met with rounding residual sugars from the quad for an intense sweet and sour experience. 11.2%”

McMenamins Cornelius Pass Roadhouse (Hillsboro): This Friday, the 24th, they are holding their Keepers of the Craft Dinner starting at 7pm that combines beer and distilled spirits that starts with a beer followed by five courses paired with beer and/or cocktails: “Join us in the Octagonal Barn for a dinner showcasing the teaming up of our Cornelius Pass Brewers, Distillers and chefs. Hosted by Distillers Bart Hance and Arthur Price & Brewers Brady Romtvedt and Chris Oslin, who will guide you through the brewing and distilling processes and all the similarities-as well as their handcrafted finished products!” Cost is $75, and you can purchase tickets here.

Lots of fest type news today, as the official word is out about Portland’s FredFest, coming up in a few weeks on May 3 and taking place at Hair of the Dog Brewing. “It started as an 80th birthday party for Fred Eckhardt, the Dean of American Beer Writers, and now it’s in its 10th year. That, of course, means Fred is turning 89. And we are celebrating again on May 3, 1-5 p.m. at Hair of the Dog Brewing, 61 SE Yamhill, in Portland. Tickets are $65, available for advance purchase only on Hair of the Dog’s website. Ticket includes a commemorative glass, beer-food buffet, and a special selection of beers, plus birthday cake and a chance to sing Happy Birthday to Fred.” This is always a must-attend event if you’re in Portland (alas, I have not yet attended).