Here’s the news in Oregon beer for Thursday, July 25, collected from various sources and obsessively scanning the web! As usual, I’ll be periodically updating this post throughout the day, so check back often. And if you have news to share, please contact me and I can get that updated as well.

It’s day two of the Oregon Brewers Festival in Portland and it looks like a great year so far! Some of the beer highlights I’ve seen from the first day online are Gigantic Brewing’s Gigantic & Juice, Stone’s Delicious IPA, and Bill over at It’s Pub Night has some thoughts on a few more. Positive words about the new glassware (as opposed to plastic mugs) this year as well. If you haven’t yet hit the OBF, get over there early today if you can—it’s only going to get busier!

Tonight at The Upper Lip (over upstairs from Bailey’s Taproom I believe) is the beer Sensory Class with Ninkasi’s Jamie Floyd, from 6 to 8pm which is sure to be a great class: “Introductory Sensory Class: Founding Brewer Jamie Floyd will teach how to Evaluate a Beer properly the Sensory Analysis Technique used in Sensory Labs and for judging. Then using those techniques share how the human body perceives aroma and flavor through the coordination of our Olfactory, Gustation and Trigeminal Nerve to create our love of beer and other foods.” Cost is $10 which includes the class, supplies, and a beer afterward—a great deal! You have to respond here for the ticket, and it’s an event I’d definitely recommend.

Mazama Brewing (Corvallis) is releasing their new White Wedding IPA today at their taproom starting at 5:30pm: “Stop in to grab a glass of this refreshing white IPA and enjoy some Mazama wedding cake. We’ll have some giveaways throughout the night as well. So stop in for the party! *soundtrack will be provided by Billy Idol.” And that’s not all! At The Bier Stein in Eugene also tonight, Mazama will be pouring free samples: “Tonight’s event, 5pm: Mazama Brewing, the newest brewery out of Corvallis, will be pouring free samples, and we’ll have two of their beers on tap: White Wedding, a White IPA; and their Belgian Blond.” Two opportunities to try the newest from one of the newest! (Though I’d opt for the wedding cake along with it.)

10 Barrel Brewing (Bend) is at Portland’s Saraveza tonight for a German Sparkle Party mini-tap takeover featuring their, er, German Sparkle Party Berliner Weisse as well as two of the variations, the popular Raspberry Crush and the Cucumber Crush. It runs from 5 to 9pm and if you’re at all into the sours, you’ll want to check this out! “Meet brewer, Tonya Cornett, get your sparkle on and taste the rainbow!  Wear your best sparkle gear for a chance to win 10 Barrel schwag!”