Happy July! I hope everyone had a great holiday weekend and enjoyed plenty of beer! I know I did, and now I’m back here with a regular schedule for the Oregon beer news. 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.

The big news from last week from Bend was the change of ownership of Silver Moon Brewing, which came as a surprise for many. From the press release: “Assuming ownership of the business are Matt Barrett and James Watts who will immediately take over operations… [Tyler] Reichert will stay on board for a period of time assuming the role of Founder and Brand Ambassador, focusing on expanding distribution through outside sales across Oregon.” I’m not yet entirely sure how I feel about the change and planned changes, as I think Silver Moon as it (was?) is now filled a unique niche in Bend’s scene. Here are their immediate plans: “include a modest remodel of the existing tap room, expanding distribution in both current and new markets, adding guest taps to the local tap room, enhancing the already successful live music scene, as well as creating and executing several new community focused events.” It will be interesting to see how this progresses.

With little fanfare, McMenamins celebrated their 30th birthday yesterday: “30 years ago today the Barley Mill opened its doors and many many unique pubs, hotels and theaters opened along the way.” The first beer brewed by a McMenamins brewery was two years later in 1985 at their Hillsdale Public House, but regardless 30 years is a long time in the American craft beer/brewpub scene. Congrats!

Did you know John Day is (finally?) getting its own brewery? 1188 Brewing is currently a “nanobrewery” under development and the stated plan is to open by late summer of this year. They’ve been plugging right along and have been posting updates and photos to their Facebook page, and it looks like they may be on target for that summer opening. Something to look forward to next time you’re traveling though Eastern Oregon!

It’s Monday, so don’t forget McMenamins has their (newish) growler fill specials at all of their locations: $7 for a fill of a select beer. Check the particular location’s Facebook page for the day’s special.

Oakshire Brewing (Eugene) has a new Single Batch series beer hitting the taps starting at 6pm: Fairly Special Bitter. “In honor of the 44th annual Oregon Country Fair, we will be selling FSB kegs, corn can & growlers fill at a fairly special price! FSB is deep copper ale with warm fruity esters on the nose. The bread like malty body marries seamlessly with the earthy East Kent Golding Hops. The clean and crisp bitterness wafts away like the fading sound of a distant drum circle. At 5.1% ABV, it’s the perfect pint for a long night at OCF”

Belmont Station‘s annual Puckerfest is coming up in Portland this weekend, from Friday the 12th through the following Wednesday the 17th: “Adventurous beer lovers can look forward to a rotating cast of up to 20 wild and funky beers on tap daily, along with numerous “Meet the Brewer” nights where we bring  our friends from around the region into the Biercafé to share their stories and some extra special beers. Best of all, the brand new Rich Bobkin Memorial Biergarten has doubled our seating capacity, so there’s room for even more sour beer-loving folks!” This Friday the 12th kicks off with Block 15 and Cascade Brewing for a meet the brewer event with a number of special beers.

Sky High Brewing (Corvallis): Next Wednesday, the 17th, Sky High has a special beer release hitting the taps, a Gose! “Terra Fluvia Gose is a traditional German salt beer. Flavors of wheat and corriander and salt, low gravity, summer beer. Hoppy Hour 4:00-6:00pm with lots of swag to give away. Talk beer with the brewer. Join us for a sippy sip.”