Here is the news in Oregon beer for the penultimate day of this week (and nearly this month), Thursday, April 28. As usual, I’ll be periodically updating this post throughout the day, so check back often. And if you have news to share, please contact me and I can get that updated as well.

The Bier Stein (Eugene) is hosting a tasting with Washington’s Sound Brewery today, along with a can release: “We recently gained access to the quality offerings from Sound Brewery in Poulsbo, Washington (west across the Puget Sound from Seattle). We’ve tasted a few of their Belgian-style beers and they are pretty fantastic. So. Here is a great opportunity! We’ll have a bunch Sound beers on tap, and will have their new cans of Liberty Bay IPA and Kanacitra Pale Ale along with a handful of their bottles. Manager Mark Hood will be on hand to chat.” The event runs from 5 to 8pm.

John Harris of Ecliptic Brewing has been brewing beer for 30 years this year, so today Ecliptic is hosting a Cheers to 30 Years! toast with a special beer release, kicking off at 6pm. “Come celebrate John Harris and his 30 years as a brewer! It all started at McMenamins in April of 1986, from there on to Deschutes, Full Sail, and then the start of Ecliptic Brewing in 2013. John has brewed a special beer for the event and would love for you to stop by to celebrate his 30 years as a brewer. We will be tapping his special 30-year brew, Reflection Nebula Pale Ale at 6pm followed by a cheers to John! All are welcome to attend.” BIG congratulations on the milestone, this is one of those events I wish I could make it to Portland for!

Portland Brewing has announced that they are brewing the official, limited-edition beer for the Portland Rose Festival. From the press release: “Lemon Blonde Ale celebrates the 109th annual Rose City tradition with a bright citrus aroma and refreshing flavor — making it the perfect addition while enjoying the festivities along Portland’s Waterfront. Portland Brewing is the exclusive craft beer sponsor of the Rose Festival and brewers created the easy-drinking blonde ale with the festival’s fun atmosphere in mind. Lemon Blonde Ale is available from May 27 through June 12 at CityFair and RoZone along Tom McCall Waterfront Park. For the first time, you can pick up the Rose Festival’s official brew at Fred Meyer growler fill stations inside select Portland metro locations throughout the festival. It will also be available at Portland Brewing’s Taproom, area pubs and restaurants until supplies run out.”

The Green Dragon (Portland): Today’s meet the brewer event is featuring Head Brewer Chris Spollen of Vancouver’s Old Ivy Taproom: “It’s a homecoming for us at the Green Dragon as we welcome Head Brewer Chris Spollen of the Old Ivy Taproom. Chris has been brewing professionally in the northwest for over 22 years. Starting at Rogue in Newport, Oregon, in 1993 and then at Amnesia in Portland before taking on Head Brewer duties at Old Ivy.” He’s bringing three beers to drink, with the overall event starting at 5pm.

16 Tons (Eugene) is hosting Seattle’s Fremont Brewing on their “Tour de Oregon” for a tasting: “Thursday, April 28th from 5-7pm, Fremont Brewing Company will be in the Taphouse doing a free tasting and a small tap takeover. Beers on tap will be, Oregon IPA, Summer Ale, and…. wait for it…. Bourbon Abominable!!”

Eugene’s Ninkasi Brewing has their Pints for a Cause benefit today, benefiting the Oregon Association of Rowers: “Join us at the Tasting Room for Pints for a Cause! From noon to 9pm, $1 from every pint in the Tasting Room will go to Oregon Association of Rowers. Oregon Association of Rowers is a non-profit recreation club committed to enhancing and expanding the sport of rowing in the south Willamette Valley area.”

Boardman’s Ordnance Brewing will be at The Civic Taproom in Portland today for a tap takeover from 6 to 9pm. “Ordnance Brewing will be in the house with a variety of beers. Come out to sample and get in the raffle for swag.”

The aptly-named Beer bar in Portland today is hosting a number of Corvallis brewers for a special tasting tonight starting at 7pm: “We’re inviting a bunch of our friends from Corvallis to bring some their most awesome, tasterific beers to us for a day celebrating the amazing community of brewers and cider makers there.” Included are Block 15, Flat Tail Brewing, Oregon Trail Brewery, Mazama Brewing, and 2 Towns Ciderhouse.

Ground Breaker Brewing (Portland) will be at The Tap & Growler in Eugene for a tap takeover along with other Bigfoot Beverage Distributor breweries. “Join brewery reps in celebrating Bigfoot Beverages tasty taplist! We’ll be tapping the good stuff and giving away plenty of swag.” It runs from 6 to 9pm.

Sunriver Brewing has a new beer on tap only at their pubs: “High Desert Diesel Dbl IPA – 8% ABV 80 IBU. The newest awesome beer, currently only available at our two pub’s.” Pretty sure that’ll be a tasty DIPA!