Happy Cinco de Mayo (America’s other drinking holiday…)! Here’s the news in Oregon beer for this fifth of May; 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.

The Green Dragon (Portland): Today is the release day for a new beer that possibly could only have been brewed in Portland: “The Green Dragon is proud to announce the release of a very special, one-off beer that was brewed alongside an iconic Portland figure. Brian Kidd, better known by the people of Portland as The Unipiper, has joined forces with Buckman Botanical Brewery’s Danny Connors to produce a beer almost as unique as The Unipiper himself: The UnipIPA! Brewed using bagpipe-roasted Habanero Peppers, this fiery IPA is the brain child of the Darth Vader mask toting, kilt wearing, unicycling, flame throwing, bagpipe playing Unipiper we all know and love.” The release party runs from 5 to 8pm and tiki garb is encouraged.

McMenamins Fulton Pub & Brewery (Portland) has a limited-edition beer tasting today featuring two beers, Whiskey Widow (their Black Widow Porter aged three months in an Edgefield whiskey barrel, and a Cinco de Mayo-themed beers in Jalapa: “Jalapa has been a Fulton Pub tradition for going on 26 years. Jalapa is a crisp refreshing golden ale with, you guessed it, jalapeno peppers! The flavor of these popular peppers comes through loud and clear followed by a lingering spiciness and heat.” Tasting starts at 5pm.

Portland’s Belmont Station has Washington’s Finnriver Cider in for a tasting today from 5 to 7pm: “‘Tis the season for a lot of celebrations! From weddings, to Mother’s Day and from Grads to Dads, Finnriver’s Jana Daisy Ensign will be sharing tastes of the Finnriver lineup, including the Habanero, Honey Meadow spring seasonal and Artisan sparkling ciders plus Finnriver’s Brandywine. Plus, she will be demonstrating how to blend a few of these exceptional ciders together for a truly celebratory cider cocktail!”

Boneyard Beer (Bend) posted this little tidbit today: “Forget Cinco…it’s our 5th Birthday today! To celebrate, we’re doing $5 growler fills of RPM all day today. Come and fill ‘er up!” Ummmm yeah! Fifth anniversary is pretty big—I’m surprised they aren’t having some sort of celebration (that I’ve heard of, now I’m checking…), but congrats!

Santiam Brewing (Salem) has a new, rather elaborate beer out: “Gin Peche Lambic, 6.6% 4 IBU, is blended and nearly ready for your glass. Aged 18 months in Gin barrels with peach and apricot. We’ve added more barrels for this Lambic anticipating demand for 2016.”

Cascade Brewing (Portland): Tonight’s Tap It Tuesday at their Barrel House at 6pm is featuring “Live” Gose de Mayo: “This NW style sour ale is a blend of amber Gose ales aged for 15 months in tequila barrels with lime and sea salt. Fresh flavors of lime and tequila are met with a slightly salty finish from the Gose. Served with a slice of lime. 6.1% ABV.”

Wild Ride Brewing (Redmond) has a Cinco de Mayo special on today as well: “Happy Cinco de Mayo! A great day to try our chili beer … Fire in the Cole’s! On special all day in the Tap Room!”