Happy Hump Day! It’s not Oregon-related but the big beer news of the day is the Anheuser-Busch purchase of North Carolina’s Wicked Weed Brewing. Something to ruminate over while drinking an Oregon brew today, and here’s Oregon’s news for May 3. As usual, I’ll be periodically updating this post throughout the day with the latest news, so check back often for updates. If you have news to share, please contact me and I can get that updated as well.

The Bier Stein (Eugene) is Tapping into Community today with their fundraiser for the Eugene Parks Foundation from 5 to 8pm: “‘The mission of the Eugene Parks Foundation is to enhance public parks, open spaces, recreation facilities, and recreation services for the benefit of Eugene area residents.’ Who wouldn’t want to support this mission? Certainly not you! Well, support is easy when all it takes is drinking a beer– we will tap up a keg of Westside IPA from Claim 52 and donate 100% of the proceeds from that keg to the Eugene Parks Foundation. Come on by and see what they’re up to!”

The BeerMongers (Portland) is hosting Ex Novo Brewing for a meet the brewer event tonight from 6 to 9pm: “We’ve had a wonderful relationship with Ex Novo since the first beers rolloed out the door and into the shop. We’re digging in the cellar to bring out a couple delicious beers, while showcasing some fresh hoppy beers, as well.”

McMenamins Kennedy School (Portland) has teamed up with Oregon Humanities to present an educational event this evening: Bitter Harvest: Chinese Hop Farmers in the Willamette Valley in the early 1900s. “Willamette Valley farmers, Ming Kee of Aurora and Ah Coe of Dallas, were two of Oregon’s most prominent and well-respected hop growers from 1890 to 1930. However, due to the Chinese Exclusion Act, which was in force during that period, neither man could legally own the land where they grew hops. Join us as we explore the experiences of these two pioneers of hop growing, their challenges and their contributions to the history of craft brewing in Oregon. This will include a video presentation by Ivy Lin, followed by a panel discussion featuring Bitter Harvest writer Putsata Reang.” This starts at 7pm and is free, and sounds like a fantastic presentation—definitely should be checked out if you have an interest in beer history, hops, or both!

Bend’s Crux Fermentation Project is holding a Dylan’s Army Fundraiser today from 5 to 7pm: “We’ll be tapping Darling Ale, a special Pale Ale brewed to honor Dylan Darling and his family as he battles ALS. Many of us here in Bend have benefited from their work, friendship and love and we’d like to give some back! A portion of the proceeds from this beer will go to assist them in their challenge with ALS. Darling Ale is a Pale Ale brewed with two OSU experimental hops – 033 & 331 – as well as Mandarina Bavaria. The aroma is tropical citrus, dank & earthy/woody with 5.0% ABV & 35 IBUs.” This is a great cause, so get out and enjoy a few pints of this beer tonight if you can!

Belmont Station is hosting the new Little Beast Brewing for a meet the brewer event from 5 to 8pm tonight: “Wednesday May 3 Mark your calendar! We got something planned on this day with Little Beast Founder/Brewmaster Charles Porter and the rest of the Little Beast crew! Little Beast is one of the most highly anticipated breweries to start up recently, and we will be pouring both of their inaugural beers: Bes (Tart Wheat Ale) and Fera (American Brett Ale).”

Montavilla Brew Works (Portland) has a limited release beer tapping at 3pm: El Dorado ISA. “Our classic ISA loaded up with El Dorado® hops for bright, bold fruit aromas and dank, resinous flavor. We only made five gallons of this one, so come out on Wednesday night, as it won’t last long!”