The eclipse countdown continues. Traffic and congestion has been increasing, gas stations are running low (at least here in Central Oregon), and I have to wonder when the beer will run out! Here’s the Oregon beer news for Thursday, August 17. As usual, I’ll be periodically updating this post throughout the day, so check back often. If you have news to share, please contact me and I can get that posted as well.

My new Bulletin article is out today with a roundup of Central Oregon special eclipse beers. Many or all of them will be pouring at the Redmond Brewfest, so if you’re planning on coming to Central Oregon for the eclipse, these are the ones to seek out!

McMenamins Kennedy School (Portland) has their Extra Credit beer tasting today from 5 to 7pm, featuring Citrine IPA: “This IPA is named after the glassy yellow variety of quartz. Citrine IPA is a citrusy, yellow beer with tropical flavors of mango and coconut.” With that name and description I expected a fruit IPA but nope, it’s all hop-driven.

Bend’s Worthy Brewing has their Worthy Eclipse Week continuing, with today’s topics being: Brandon Overstreet, M.S., Ph.D Candidate: “Sun and Ice Sheet Rivers – An expedition to measure meltwater production on the Greenland Ice Sheet” from 6:30-7:15pm, and Roger Worthington: “Colonizing Outer Space – Is it All About Planting the Flag?” from 7:30-8:15pm. Those are taking place in Worthy’s Hop Mahal event space.

Bend’s Boneyard Beer (lots of Bend-centric news today!) announced this week the partnership with Gerber Gear with their Sharkbelly IPA. From the press release: “GERBER boasts a long history in the Pacific Northwest, designing quality knives and tools that are purpose built for hard working individuals and outdoor enthusiasts. The products may vary in application and user, but one appreciation runs true throughout the greater PNW: that of a good craft beer. When GERBER learned that the folks at Boneyard Beer in Bend, Oregon carry GERBER knives as their everyday tool of choice, the mission was clear: check out the operation and get the new Sharkbelly knife into their hands. What began as a brewery tour and product photoshoot, quickly turned into a badass partnership that taste buds all over the region can benefit from. Introducing the GERBER Sharkbelly IPA: a special-edition brew by Boneyard Beer.” It’s an interesting partnership, and the IPA is already on tap in Bend at the tasting room. Other tapping locations to watch for are: B2 Taphouse – Salem, Flyboy Brewing – Tigard, Big Al’s – Beaverton, The Growlerie – Beaverton, Loyal Legion – Portland, and Bailey’s Taproom.

Widmer Brothers Brewing (Portland): Their Thursday Tap Day at the Gasthaus is featuring the return of Pitch Black IPA: “This weekend, Widmer Brothers is welcoming back an old favorite—Pitch Black IPA (6.5% ABV, 65 IBU)—brewed in honor of the eclipse. Pitch Black IPA was one of the first Cascadian Dark Ales to hit the scene in 2009 (and it won a gold medal at GABF the same year!). We add a modest amount of debittered black malt to give this IPA its nearly-black color but without the harshness found in typical dark malt flavors. Pitch Black IPA is hopped generously in the brewhouse and again during the dry hopping process. Hopheads and eclipse-seekers alike will appreciate this dark, malty, and hoppy CDA—eclipse glasses not required.”

Rogue Ales is hosting a patio party for their newly canned Cold Brew IPA today at the Eastside Pub in Portland: “Join us for a special shindig celebrating our favorite things: Beer, Stumptown Coffee Roasters Cold Brew, Live Music, Great Snacks, Patio Games & Summertime! As an added bonus, we’ll wrap up our latest Rogue Foundation collaboration with PAW Team (Portland Animal Welfare Team). $1 from every pint of PAW Team Porter sold goes directly to helping provide free veterinary care for pets of people experiencing homelessness or extreme poverty.”