Return of the Monday! Here’s the news in Oregon beer for Monday, May 18. As usual, I’ll be periodically updating this post throughout the day with the latest news as I find it, so check back often. And if you have news to share, please contact me and I can get that posted as well.

Central Oregon Beer Week kicks off this Friday, May 22, with the signature SMaSH Fest taking place at McMenamins Old St. Francis School from 1 to 9pm. SMaSH Fest admission is $25 which gets you the glass and 12 tasters (good for a four-ounce taste) and you can sample 19 (at current count) different single malt and single hop beers. It all takes place at O’Kane’s Square at the back of the McMenamins property, and is sure to be a lively time. I’ll be on hand early on selling and signing books too, so make sure you don’t miss out!

Also that Friday Deschutes Brewery is celebrating the release of The Stoic, their Reserve Series barrel-aged Quad last available in 2011. “Not to be confused with “Not The Stoic” (a slightly different recipe), this beer will make its way smoothly into your hearts and bellies with flavors of vanilla, oak, toasted caramel from barrel-aging and hints of sweetness from Pomegranate Molasses. Be sure to grab 2 bottles: one to age and one for now. Bottles and snifters of this beer will be available at our pubs and tasting room on May 22nd.” Look for specials all day at the Bend and Portland Pubs.

Portland’s Tin Bucket growler station and beer bar is celebrating their second anniversary this week, with four days of events starting Wednesday the 20th and lasting through Saturday the 23rd. Brewpublic has a great writeup and I’ll post the events each day: “To make this 2nd Anniversary even more special the team at Tin Bucket has been saving kegs from the past year and will be serving these malted treats to its loyal customers. One of the highlights of this event will be the beer that Tin Bucket created with Trevor Rogers at de Garde Brewing in Tillamook. This special blend called The Broken Down Truck will only be available at Tin Bucket on Friday, May 22nd. This is a blended beer from three different barrels from de Garde’s Lambic inspired program and is only available in bottles.”

Worthy Brewing (Bend) has a new beer on tap as of yesterday: “Magnito Imperial Red is on tap now in the Heart and Soul Series! This 10% monster was brewed with Maris Otter malt and Sorachi Ace hops as a collaboration with the Brewing Certificate students at Central Oregon Community College.”

Heater Allen Brewing (McMinnville) has a milestone this Saturday: “We will be open this coming Saturday to quietly celebrate our 8th Anniversary. We will have something light to snack on and will open some older bottles, 12-5pm, hope to see you there!”