Happy Hump Day! I don’t know about elsewhere in the state (though I’ve heard from a few places) but here in Central Oregon, there is a wildfire smoke haze that is the worst I can remember. (And I’ve been here a long time.) Stay safe out there! And here’s the news in beer to counter the smoke. As usual, I’ll be periodically updating this post throughout the day with the latest news, so check back often for updates. And if you have news to share, please contact me and I can get that updated as well.

McMenamins Cornelius Pass Roadhouse (Hillsboro) has their Roadhouse Refreshments beer tasting today from 6 to 9pm, featuring four different beers from different McMenamins breweries: Izard of POG IPA from Oak Hills Brewery, Mambo Mango Shandy from McMenamins on the Columbia, Raspberry Lavender from the Thompson Brewery, and Marionberry Cream Ale from CPR. Some nice fruit beers all around it sounds like.

Rogue‘s Eastside Pub & Pilot Brewery in Portland has their weekly Green Dragon Brew Crew release today, featuring Dragon in the Sun Amber: “You survived the eclipsocolypse! Now have a beer to celebrate! Here’s an interesting amber colored beer with East Kent Golding & Czech Saaz hops that provide a bit of a spicy, earthy flavor and aroma and Sun hops which provides the bitterness (but not too much!) Mecca Grade Munich provides a nice malty flavor.” This name also describes well the appearance of the sun through the smokey haze the last few days. Beer is tapped at 5pm.

Portland’s Montavilla Brew Works is holding a weeklong fundraiser for the Houston Humane Society that you need to be aware of: “If you’re watching the news, you know that Houston is in trouble right now and badly needs support. Humans are slowly getting help, but their furry little friends are needing help too! Montavilla Brew Works will be donating 10% of ALL TAPROOM BEER SALES this week to the Houston Humane Society.” Get down there this week and drink beer and help out!

Lompoc Brewing (Portland): Looks like the have a fresh hop beer release at Sidebar today, Fresh Hop Death Punch, which then goes on tap at the rest of their pubs tomorrow: “It’s a great day for a beer release! Join us at Sidebar at 4pm for the first fresh hop beer of the season, Fresh Hop Death Punch. Made with 100 pounds of Centennial fresh hops from Crosby Hop Farm, this golden ale has a huge, dank aroma – reminiscent of walking through a hop farm – along with a malty body and a candied orange flavor. Brewer Brendan says it’s ‘packin’ a flavor for your mouth!'”

Imperial Bottle Shop (Portland): At their Division Street location they are pouring through New Holland Brewing’s Dragon’s Milk today from 5 to 8pm: “Experience the most New Holland Brewing Co. beers on tap ever within Oregon! We’ll be pouring: Incorrigible Reserve w/ Mango & Pineapple, Black Tulip Belgian-Style Trippel, Dragon’s Milk Bourbon Barrel-Aged Stout, Dragon’s Milk – S’mores Edition, and Dragon’s Milk – Mexican Spice Cake. Get a sampler tray of all 5 for only $11, or purchase any by the glass.”

Base Camp Brewing has fresh hop beers tonight! “Holy hoppy goodness! Our fresh hop season kicks off TONIGHT with the release of our Fresh Hop IPA, plus two special versions of fresh-hopped Smooth Hoperator. On tap at Base Camp and select spots throughout Portland/Vancouver metro.” Get some!