Here’s the Oregon beer news for Wednesday, May 16, curated from various sources. As usual I’ll be updating this post periodically throughout the day so check back often for the latest news. If you have news to share, please contact me and I can get this post updated.

Central Oregon Beer Week starts up next week! From May 21 through 27 it’s a week-long celebration of beer for the region—with 13 active breweries and even more on the way, we have a lively and hopping beer culture here! Take a look at the events and come on down anytime next week to Central Oregon to enjoy the beer!

This weekend the 6th annual Brewer’s Memorial Ale Fest is taking place in Newport, the dog-friendly brewfest held by Rogue “created in memory of Rogue Brewmaster John Maier’s faithful companion Brewer, who passed away on May 20, 2006.” Times and dates: Friday the 18th from 4 to 10pm, Saturday the 19th from noon to 10pm, and Sunday the 20th from noon to 4pm. (Facebook page.) The fest will be held inside Rogue’s Newport brewery and “includes 50+ Microbreweries, Live Music, Doggy Musical Chairs, Dog Wash, Dog Dancing and Celebrity dog look-alikes (Rin-Tin-Tin, Lassie, Benji and of course, Brewer).” Cost is $10 admission which gets you 4 taster tickets (with more available for purchase), and it’s 21+ only (except for the dogs of course).

The Brew Shop (Bend) is hosting a tasting tonight featuring beers from Utah’s Wasatch Brewing and Squatters Brewing, both being newly distributed in Oregon. It starts at 6pm, so stop on by and get a sample of Wasatch Polygamy Porter ans Squatters Hop Rising.

Today is Gluten-Free Beer Day in Portland, as decreed by Mayor Sam Adams. “Mayor Adams thanked local brewers, specifically Harvester Brewing, Widmer Brothers, and Deschutes Brewing for leading the efforts in creating beer for those with gluten sensitivities, and specifically for providing beer crafted to be gluten-free for all to enjoy.” I agree with Lisa, it seems a bit contrived, but hey, it’s Beervana, so why not.

Before the Brew Shop, the Broken Top Bottle Shop in Bend is also hosting the Utah brewers, from 3 until 5pm today. Bend is awash in Utah beer!

The Green Dragon (Portland) has a Green Dragon Brew Crew release today: Saaz Single Hop IPA, starting at 5pm. “The next in our series of single hop IPA’s features Czech Saaz hops. We took a hop that is associated with world finest Pilseners and made an IPA with it. Czech Saaz lends a very mild pleasant hop aroma with a hint of earthiness and some herbal spice. This beer offers abundant yet delicate hop flavor and aroma and a clean finish. You’ll enjoy this smooth and crisp light bodied IPA. Perfect for warm sunny day.”  It’s 7.8% abv and 70 IBUs.

Upright Brewing (Portland): Tomorrow night, the 17th, they have a Brewers Dinner taking place at the Grain and Gristle featuring five courses and plenty of Upright beers—and there are still tickets available. “The four main beers being paired are the new Supercool IPA, 2011 Provision, Fantasia, and the Seven, all of which are being served with individual courses including Moroccan beef sausage and smoked pork belly. To open and close the dinner, special beer and vermouth cocktails using an in progress Berliner weisse and the upcoming 2012 Late Harvest will be made by pulling beer directly from the barrels.” Tickets are $55 and you can purchase them from the events page here.

Lompoc Brewing (Portland): It’s Barrel Night at the Sidebar tonight! From 4 to 10pm it’s an “evening where everything on tap was either aged or fermented in barrels”—with a really nice lineup of barrel-aged beers on tap.