Late day today on the beer news! Because it’s later, I’ll be updating this post throughout the afternoon, but probably not more than a few times. If you have news to share, please contact me and I can get that posted as well.

Today is the final day for Puckerfest at Belmont Station in Portland, with a focus on ciders today. “Beer isn’t the only thing that can be wild and funky. Some of the best ciders in the world come from Basque Country, Asturias, and Galacia, three regions in the north of Spain. The apples are pressed by hand, allowed to ferment in barrels with wild yeasts, and matured for several months before bottling. On Thursday, we’ll be pouring a flight of four of the best examples available in Oregon, so if you’ve never had one of these unique ciders you’re in for a real treat.” There are also some specialty sour beers on tap, of course!

The Bier Stein (Eugene) is hosting their “Wood, Sweat, and Beers” wood aged beer fest today, with over 12 taps of “special, rare, tasty woody delights” that are pouring all day long. From 6 to 8pm brewers will be showing up to hang out and chat and represent their beers as well, which should be a lot of fun. If you like the wood and barrel aged brews then be sure not to miss out.

The Commons Brewery (Portland) is holding their “tap takeover with friends” at 1856 bottleshop tonight starting at 5pm, featuring a number of killer breweries and great-sounding beers. On top of that, The Commons will be sampling bottles of their Widmer collaboration beer, Kindred. The detailed tap list is here and I’d encourage you to check it out if you get the chance.

McMenamins Kennedy School (Portland) has a special beer release today—Kringle in July. “Just in time for Summer, the busy-as-elves McMenamins brewers have created another wonderful gift for you. It’s time to pull out your favorite Christmas sweater and cut off the sleeves because we’re bringing out one of the company favorites. The 2013 version of Kris Kringle is a hearty and robust ale with a big and bold malt complexity as well as an intense and flavorful hop profile… We’re kegging up a batch of Kringle to enjoy during the summer months and putting the rest into an Edgefield Rum barrel to enjoy in the month of December. Please come out and enjoy a winter favorite in the middle Summer!” It goes on tap at 5pm in the Boiler Room Bar.

Portal Brewing (Medford): One of Southern Oregon’s newest breweries has a tasty-sounding new beer on tap: “We are releasing Koko Blanco, our coconut cream ale today. It is a wonderful, light summer ale to beat the heat!” That’s definitely a style I need to homebrew.