Back into the swing of things on a Monday, I hope everyone had a good weekend! Here’s the news in Oregon beer for July 22. As usual, I’ll be periodically updating this post throughout the day, so check back often for the latest news. And if you have news to share, please contact me and I can get that posted as well.

The Oregon Brewers Festival kicks off this week in Portland, starting (for the first time ever!) on Wednesday the 24th and running through the weekend. This is the largest and longest-running beer fest in Oregon not to mention one of the best: some 80,000 people will visit over the 5 days of the festival and there will be 84 beers from 82 breweries spanning 28 styles. Admission is free, but this year’s pricing to drink beer is $7 for the commemorative glass (yes, glass, not plastic this year) and $1 per wooden token for a sample of beer (4 tokens for a full pour). I’ll have much more to write about the OBF this week include some of this year’s changes to stay tuned.

The town in Hermiston in northeast Oregon has just gotten its first-ever brewery: Hermiston Brewing Company. From the news report: “It is actually inside Nookie’s Bistro and Spirits, a restaurant that has been around for eight years. The owners decided it was time they sold some of their own beers, but with limited brewing experience they hired a professional who helped craft the recipes. With a total of 13 different beers on tap, there really is something for everyone. And local ingredients like berries and lavender give the brews a home-town taste.” Another place to stop on the eastern half of the state along I-84!

Speaking of new breweries, the New School reported last week on a new third brewery slated to be opened in Astoria: River Barrel Brewing. “Located in a building at the food of 7th street in downtown Astoria, right across the street from waterfront and by the 6th street viewing platform. The brewpub will have a new 20 barrel brewhouse from Portland local Metalcraft Fabricaton and a 3 barrel pilot system also from locals Portland Kettleworks.” It’s still early and the brewery isn’t slated to open until 2014 but it should make an interesting addition to Astoria.

The Mash Tun Brewpub (Portland) has a new IPA on tap: “Our new Aft IPA is now on tap. It’s a medium bodied IPA with a light amber color and notes of caramel and malty sweetness. A hoppy NW IPA made with Centennial, Galena, Cascade and Willamette Hops. ABV: 7.2% IBU: 74”

Can’t believe I didn’t cover this previously: today is the 22nd annual Beer & Cheese Tasting from Fred Eckhardt, taking place today at 5pm at the Rogue Public House in Portland. If there’s still space it’s going to be $35 at the door and this is one of those Portland beer events you probably shouldn’t miss (anything with Fred involved you shouldn’t miss!). “Fred Eckhardt will lead participants through a decadent multi-course feast featuring Oregon hand crafted beers and cheeses. Fred’s line up this year features Rogue Hopyard Cheese, an aged cheddar made by Rogue Creamery with hops grown by Rogue Farms of Independence, Oregon, and paired with a Rogue Farms beer. These GYO Hops are de-stemmed, chopped fine, hand-mixed into the cheese curds and pressed into blocks by Rogue Creamery, an artisan cheese company, with people dedicated to service, sustainability and the art and tradition of making the world’s finest handmade cheese.” Call 503-222-5910 for any last-minute info.