It’s Hump Day and the final day of July, as good a reason to enjoy a beer today as any! Here’s the news in Oregon beer for this Wednesday. As usual, I’ll be periodically updating this post throughout the day with the latest news, so check back often. If you have news to share, please contact me and I can get that updated as well.

The 3rd annual BenFest is taking place today at The EastBurn in Portland! This fun annual event features beers all brewed by Oregon brewers named “Ben” of which there is a surprising number, and is kicking off at 5pm. “BenFest returns for its 3rd year and is the official closing event of Oregon Craft Beer Month. Each Ben Brewer contributes a beer, including a collaboration between Ben Edmunds of Breakside Brewing and Deschutes’s Ben Kehs. What did they brew for BenFest? Why, a Colonial Porter inspired by a recipe by Ben Franklin. This delicious one off debuts at this event.”

McMenamins Cornelius Pass Roadhouse (Hillsboro) is holding their own fest today, Pepperfest, starting at 6pm: “Aye carumba!  For Oregon Craft Beer Month we present three cold beer/hot pepper combos from the experimental team of Zymurgists working the kettle at the Roadhouse Brewery. Tonsils will be toasted!” The beers on offer are Aztec Chocolate Chili Stout, Conflagration IPA (with Habanero peppers and orange zest), and Jalapa Lager (“Our Honey Lager infused with Jalapeño, Serrano, and Red Thai Chili’s”). Should make for a hot night!

Belmont Station (Portland): Today they are hosting a tasting with Spokane, Washington’s No-Li Brewing, they of the infamous “Spokane-Style” beer designation, from 5 to 8pm. “Hailing from Spokane, No-Li Brewing is taking the region by storm with their “Spokane-style” beers. Owner John Bryant will be at Belmont Station on Wednesday, July 31, sampling a full lineup of No-Li’s award-winning beers and we will have one or two on tap as well! Stop by and give John a hearty Portland welcome and taste some of these delicious beers from Spokane.” They will be pour five different beers.

The Bier Stein (Eugene): Tonight starting at 5pm they are tapping a sweet lineup of Deschutes Brewery beers: “We’re tapping six Deschutes beers: Saison, Smoked Porter, ’88 Barleywine, Black Butte XXV, Fresh Squeezed, and Armory XPA. Rep. Chad Travertini will be pouring samples and raffling swag from 6-8pm!” That’s a great lineup and if you’re in Eugene tonight you should definitely check it out!

McMenamins Old St. Francis School (Bend): Tonight starting at 5pm is a special beer release featuring a firkin (cask) of Super Dry-Hopped Note Taker IPA to finish off Oregon Craft Beer Month. “The Note Taker IPA is a well-rounded IPA with a solid malt complex and easy hop bitterness. Floral tones in the aroma lend a nice start to the citrus and mild hop flavor. Having this IPA pouring in the Firkin keg gives the whole drink a mellow feel as it wraps around your taste buds. The lower carbonation allows the the malt flavors to come through and the bitterness to not be overbearing at all! Easy as sunshine yet a lot of flavor dances on top of your palate. Enjoy the feeling of a pint of the Note Taker!”

Rogue Ales (Newport): Their 19th annual Bones and Brew Festival is taking place this Saturday and Sunday at Rogue’s outpost in northwest Portland’s Pearl District. “The 19th Annual Bones and Brew Festival is a family and dog-friendly event celebrating the American Backyard BBQ. The event includes: BBQ vendors, a BBQ contest, Kobe Bleu Ball eating contest, Dog Vendors, Charity Dog Wash and 30+ Microbreweries.” Entry is $5 and you can buy tickets online here; proceeds from the fest go to Portland New Generations Rotary Club. Do you like BBQ and beer? Then plan to be there!