Here’s the roundup of Oregon beer news for Saturday, June 12, catching up on happenings over the past several weeks (whew!). As always, news and info can be shared anytime, and I’ll try to keep this post updated this weekend as availability allows. Cheers!

Oregon Fruit Products introduces Dragon Fruit Puree

Oregon Fruit Products is the go-to source these days for brewers for its aseptic fermentation-ready fruit purees, and the company introduced dragon fruit to its lineup last month.

Lightly fruity in taste and a radiant purple-pink color, this puree features eye-catching color and is ideally suited to blend with more assertive fruits to achieve harmonious tart and sweet notes in the finished beverage.

Dragon fruit is mildly sweet, akin to a pear or kiwi, and pairs well with bold citrus or more acidic tropicals. Oregon Fruit sources red dragon fruit for its vivid magenta flesh, resulting in bright pink and purple brews. Dragon Fruit Puree adds dimension and flair to a variety of beer styles such as lagers, hefeweizens, wheat beers, and fruited sours. It also adds a refreshing exotic touch to kombuchas and seltzers.

No word yet on whether this will be available to homebrewers.

Ninkasi releases Hazematic Hazy IPA in its G.O.A.T Pack

Eugene’s Ninkasi Brewing has a new hazy IPA, Hazematic, which is now available exclusively in it’s G.O.A.T. pack in cans (or on draft). From the press release:

Ninkasi Brewing Company has launched Hazematic Hazy IPA, available exclusively in 12oz. cans in The G.O.A.T. Pack and on draft throughout Ninkasi’s distribution footprint. Hazematic replaces Juicy Domination in The G.O.A.T. Pack lineup, which is now available in its own 6-pack.

Hazematic is another success from Ninkasi Brewing’s new 5-barrel pilot system. This beer was originally brewed on their innovative small-batch system in February 2020. Well-received locally, Hazematic was then scaled up to production levels for this release.

The release also notes that Hazematic is the only hazy in the 2021 lineup from the brewery.

Double Mountain Basic Rights IPA, Azyhay Hazy IPA release, and new look

Double Mountain Brewery of Hood River has been on a roll with new IPA releases since I last posted, plus a new brand look that’s rolling out. Starting with Basic Rights IPA, which is brewed in support of LGBTQ+ rights for Pride Month. It’s a 6.5% balanced IPA available on draft and in 500ml bottles. A portion of the profits from the beer and an accompanying Dry Cider will benefit Basic Rights Oregon.

Azyhay Hazy IPA is a new release that’s joining the brewery’s core lineup; details from the press release:

Selecting a Norwegian kveik yeast, a blend of three kveik strains (there are thousands) that ferments hot and fast, kicking off wonderful pineapple and stone fruit aromas as it works. Light on bitterness thanks to just a dash of Brewer’s Gold, Azyhay Hazy still holds a pronounced hop character. Citrus, tropical fruit, and rainforest sing while a bit of sweetness lingers on the finish.

And the core labels are getting a facelift with the release of Azyhay, which you can see in the header image at the top of the page. “Still the beers everyone has come to love, but with aesthetic changes for the shelf,” as the brewery says.

10 Barrel’s Pride Month plans

Bend-based 10 Barrel Brewing is celebrating Pride Month and shared its plans for the Bend and Portland locations, including two new beers and brunch on June 13! Details:

While 10 Barrel Brewing’s Pubs are a safe place for all people all year long, the 10 Barrel Brewing teams in Bend, Portland, Boise, and Denver have something special in mind to celebrate LGBTQIA+ Pride this June; two new beers and a quartet of Drag Brunches at 10 Barrel’s regional Pubs.

The new beers are brewed to be fruity and fun. Gay Day IPA is a mimosa-inspired session IPA, will be available in the Portland, Oregon Pub only. This beer is brewed by 10 Barrel’s Whitney Burnside, and two of the Queens who will be performing in Portland on June 13th; Amy Takill and Boujee Cherry.

ALLIPA is available on-site at all of 10 Barrel’s pubs and for takeaway in a custom crowler. This beer is inspired by the “All Are Welcome” stickers on 10 Barrel Brewing’s doors. With notes of dank Strata, pineapple-y Eldorado and Sultana hops, ALLIPA is a light, refreshing session IPA without a hint of hate. A portion of the proceeds from both beers benefits local LGBTQIA+ organizations in the 10 Barrel Brewing Pub regions. AllIPA Session IPA: 5 ABV, 45 IBUs

Tickets to the drag shows cost $15 and come with one of these associated beers included (21+). A portion of the proceeds from the two beers and 100-percent of the event ticket sale proceeds benefit an affiliated regional LGBTQIA+ organization; in Bend, and Portland—OUT Central Oregon; in Boise—Pride Boise; and in Denver— We Are Family Foundation. Note, the shows are 18+ in Bend, Boise, and Denver (21+ for beer), and 21+ for the show in Portland.

Go here for details on the Brunch events and to buy tickets.

7 Devils is opening a new Waterfront Alehouse

7 Devils Brewing of Coos Bay is working on a new location, its Waterfront Alehouse, and posted an update on the progress in its latest email newsletter:

We’re getting a lot of questions about when the new alehouse is opening. Unfortunately, there’s a lot of moving parts and supply lines are a little patchy. But it’s in good hands with Morrison Gedaros Construction, Green Coast Plumbing, Charlie’s Master Carpentry, and dozens of other local craftspeople and artists. We’re confident we’ll be open sometime in July.

McMenamins updates

A quick roundup of various McMenamins news and updates (they tend to pile up with dozens of locations!):

• The Edgefield Brewfest returns, June 26. In-person events are coming back, though with covid restrictions, and the 3rd annual fest out in Troutdale will take place from 1 to 7pm on Saturday the 26th, with more than 50 beers and ciders to choose from.
• The Barley Mill Pub, the very first McMenamins pub, celebrates its 38th birthday today, Saturday, June 12. “You’ll find a special birthday beer, live music, food & drink specials and a party [with covid precautions] in the street!”
• Another brewfest is taking place today, June 12—the 23rd Annual Barley Cup Brewfest at the Thompson Brewery & Public House in Salem. This one’s a bit more low-key: “We’re featuring 8 beers and 2 ciders from the creative brewing minds at McMenamins. Experience a taster tray with all 10 beverages, and raise your glass to beer, cider and summer, then place your vote for the brewfest winner.” (And yes, these in-person events make me a bit twitchy.)
• New beer on tap and in cans to go—Ghost Rabbit Pilsner. It’s a Bohemian-style pilsner with 5% ABV and 37 IBUs.

Ecliptic Pyxis Pilsner release

Speaking of pilsners, Portland’s Ecliptic Brewing has added a new year-round one to its lineup: Pyxis Pilsner. The note attached to the press release indicated it will be available in Portland only at first, but there are plans to push into other markets. Details:

Ecliptic Brewing has launched its latest Limited Release Series beer – Pyxis Pilsner – last week in draft and 12-ounce, six pack cans. Pyxis (pronounced “pik-sis”) will be offered in limited distribution through Maletis Beverage in the Portland market to start.

This classic German-style beer is made with noble hops and clocks in at 5.5% ABV. It is Ecliptic’s first canned lager outside of their Special Release and Cosmic Collaboration Series. Says Ecliptic Brewing’s Sales Manager, Erin Grey Kemplin, “We have been looking at doing a 12-ounce canned pilsner for years. As a devoted lager drinker myself, I think Pyxis is a much needed addition to our lineup”.

While Ecliptic plans to keep distribution limited to begin with, there will be room for expansion to other markets in the future. Ecliptic Brewing’s second location, the Moon Room, is planning to open this summer and is well set up for making lagers. The company plans to focus on the production of Pyxis Pilsner here.

New beers list

The overall roundup of new and returning beers!

• Wayfinder Beer (Portland): Kollaps Kölsch, the Original Cold IPA, Older Gods Heller Bock, Luna Muerta Vienna-style Lager (via the email newsletter).
• 7 Devils Brewing (Coos Bay): Stanton St. Lager. “We officially have our Stanton Street Lager back! This full bodied Northwest lager brings an aroma of pear and apple with a well rounded malty and floral hop balance. It is sure to quench your thirst during the hot summer days on our sunny patio!”
• Block 15 Brewing (Corvallis), via the email newsletter: Ridgeback Red Ale, Turbulent Consequence: Peche, and English Mild are all out now; coming soon will be Summer Knights Kolsch, Wandelpad Belgian-style blonde, Liberty and Justice for All IPA, and Duke IV Hefeweissbier.
• Deschutes Brewery (Bend): Deschutes’ Pride beer, Bubbles & Brunch, returns: “Inspired by our LGBTQIA+ co-owners, and Deschutes Brewery’s own long-standing support of equality and Pride NW, our Pride Beer makes us exactly that: Proud. This Beerlini boasts champagne like characteristics with a dry and effervescent finish.”
• Crux Fermentation Project (Bend): NØ MØ Non-Alcoholic IPA (details here).
• Bend Brewing: Future Living IPA and Camp Beer Lager, which I wrote about here.
• Hopworks Urban Brewery (Portland): Totally Chill Hazy IPA, which I posted about here.