Welcome to Wednesday, July 5—I hope you had a great holiday! It’s a bit odd to take the day off in the middle of the week so here’s the news in Oregon beer to try to get back into the swing of things. 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.

Saraveza (Portland) is hosting “Benvention” today, a fundraiser for the late Ben Flerchinger: Update: Got the date wrong! This is taking place on Thursday the 6th, make sure to head down there tomorrow night!

McMenamins John Barleycorns (Tigard): For Oregon Craft Beer Month, they are releasing a new beer, Living Breezy Summer Shandy, as well as opening up the brewery to tours today from 5 to 8pm: “It’s Oregon Craft Beer Month! To celebrate, John Barleycorn’s Brewer Tim Proctor is ready to talk brewing, and take you on a tour of the JBC Brewery. Grab a pint of the limited-edition beer he brewed just for the occasion and take some time to look around. Don’t forget your passport! About Living Breezy Summer Shandy: This delicious Shandy is a nice and refreshing brew for those long, hot summer days. This is our traditional German Kolsch Ale with a dash of natural lemonade flavor to produce a beer that you can enjoy all day, while mowing the lawn or lounging by the pool. With a light golden hue and crisp finish, you’re bound to quench the deepest thirst.”

Cascade Brewing (Portland) postponed their Tap It Tuesday from July 4 to tonight, July 5, at the Barrel House at 6pm. It’s featuring Cucumber Ginger Sour: “Sour blond ale aged in oak wine barrels for up to 13 months with freshly chopped cucumber and ginger. Cucumber Ginger Sour offers refreshing flavors of cucumber with a hint of spice to help keep you cool on a warm summer night!”

Rogue Ales Eastside Pub & Pilot Brewery in Portland has their Green Dragon Brew Crew release today at 5pm, featuring Belgian Imp CDA: “Belgian Imp CDA was brewed with the Gnome yeast strain from Imperial Yeast. It is a unique style of beer, not found anywhere else. The yeast provides a subtle spice/clove character, the Mandarina Bavaria and Sorachi Ace hops provide an orange and citrusy flavor, while the dark malt contributes a touch of chocolate for a flavor reminiscent of a chocolate orange candy. The dark malts provide a touch of roast, like found in a porter or stout, and is controversial for the CDA style, but the brewer is a fan. Let this beer warm up a bit to get the full effect of the complex flavors and aromas.”

Eugene’s Claim 52 Brewing is the featured brewer at Les Caves in Corvallis tonight for their monthly tasting series: “Our monthly tasting series continues as Claim 52 Brewing from Eugene, OR joins us July 5th, from 4:30 – 6:30 pm! We will have 4 of their beers on tap, paired up with small plates hand crafted from our kitchen! Join us for awesome beers, meet the brewers, have some great food and lots of fun!”

Ridgewalker Brewing (Forest Grove) is hosting Pelican Brewing for a tap takeover today from 6 to 8pm: “Pelican Brewing will take over Ridgewalker July 5th! Come by and sample some of their award winning beers, as well as some tasty specials featuring Pelican beer!”

Royale Brewing (Portland) has a barrel release today: “Barrel Release Day!!! This month we have a Barrel Aged spelt saison that spent in the in a red wine barrel and treated to two different strains of brett. 4.7 ABV. Go to The Garrison Tap Room at 8773 N Lombard tonight.”