Happy Summer! Today is the summer solstice, the official first day of summer, so it’s time to celebrate some summer ales along with your daily dose of Oregon beer news! As usual, I’ll be periodically updating this news post throughout the day, so check back often for the latest info. And if you have news to share, please contact me and I can get that posted as well.

Laurelwood Brewing (Portland) is planning an expansion, according to Brewpublic, getting all set to open up a fifth location: “According to PDX Eater and an application report from the Oregon Liquor Control Commission, the company founded by Mike DeKalb in 2001, “has applied for a license to open a 105-seat spot at the busy Milwaukie/SE Bybee intersection, just around from corner from Lompoc Brewing’s Oaks Bottom Public House.”  The physical address of the new grounds is 6716 SE Milwaukie Ave., Portland, OR.” No word that I see on when that will happen.

Rogue Ales (Newport): I’m really on the fence about this story because it almost sounds farcical, and then just seems, well, gross. Brewmaster John Maier has discovered a new wild yeast that was developed from his old growth beard. “As a joke, nine beard follicles were carefully cut from the beard of Rogue Brewmaster John Maier. The follicles were placed in a petri dish and sent in for testing. To the shock of the experts at White Labs, the beard samples had produced a yeast strain that was perfect for use in brewing. Additional testing was conducted and confirmed that the yeast strain was not Rogue’s yeast.” And it gets better (worse?): “The beard yeast is currently being used in test brews to determine the perfect style & yeast combination. The beard beer, New Crustacean, will be released in early 2013.”

Belmont Station (Portland): Tonight they are hosting a tasting from 5 to 8pm featuring English brewer St. Peter’s: “Taste the wide range of craft beers from this venerable English Brewer: Organic Ale, Cream Stout, Porter, IPA, Grapefruit, and Gluten Free Sorgham Ale.”

GoodLife Brewing (Bend): Today they have a tasting at Portland’s Caps & Corks from 5:30 to 8pm, featuring head brewer Curt Plants on hand pouring and talking about beers, and Descender IPA, Mountain Rescue Pale Ale, Comatose IIPA, 29’er India Brown Ale, Sweet As Pacific Ale and “potentially one more beer that has yet to leave the brewery” on tap (likely their Belgian Rye Session ale).

The Green Dragon (Portland) has a Green Dragon Brew Crew release today starting at 5pm featuring an entirely apropos beer for the day: Red Hop American Summer. “A state of mind, rather than a fixed recipe, this is the second annual installment of Red Hop American Summer. This NW Red Ale features generous amounts of Centennial, Willamette, Cascade and Simcoe hops which lean against a malty backbone provided by Caramel and Golden Promise. A hint of citrus and pine aroma provide refreshing balance; sip after sip, you will keep coming back for more. Join us for a pint or two on this, the first day of Red Hop American Summer.”

McMenamins Cedar Hills (Beaverton) has a limited-edition tasting todaystarting at 4pm, featuring El Presidente Imperial IPA, an 8% abv beer: “For this month’s special release Oak Hills brewer Tony Balzola will be bringing for your enjoyment a firkin of delicious, cask-conditioned El Presidente Imperial IPA. A strong but balanced Imperial IPA, El Presidente packs a strong grapefruit/piney hop flavor and aroma without overpowering bitterness. A high quality Belgian Pale malt provides a nice clean malt flavor, with just a touch of nuttiness. A portion of Vienna malt was added to create a subtle breadiness. Dry hopped for that extra hop kick. Light orange in color, Full-bodied, Grapefruit/piney hop character.”  Sounds lovely, but it’s a single keg, and when it’s gone, it’s gone.