Happy Friday! This weekend we’ve got some festing going on as we approach the fall season, as well as some fundraisers. So here’s the news in beer for this weekend of September 8; 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 posted as well.

Friday, 9/8

Rogue Ales Eastside Pub in Portland is hosting the release of Promise Garden IPA as a fundraiser for The Walk to End Alzheimer’s on Friday from 5 to 8pm: “On Friday, Sept. 8, the Rogue Foundation will officially tap Promise Garden IPA in support of The Walk to End Alzheimer’s taking place throughout Oregon during the months of September and October. $1 from each pint sold will benefit the cause and it will be on all September long to help raise money and spread awareness. In addition, Team Rogue will be walking in the Portland Walk to End Alzheimer’s to further help the cause.” A great cause to enjoy a few pints for!

Bazi Bierbrasserie (Portland) is hosting a fundraiser to Support Houston Individuals with Disabilities starting at 5pm on Friday: “Donating 10% of sales to Portlight Inclusive Disaster Strategies, a non-profit who facilitates post-disaster relief efforts involving people with disabilities, and the Texas Diaper Bank, working to meet the basic needs of vulnerable babies, children with disabilities and seniors.” Another great cause for an area hit hard.

Atlas Cider (Bend) is releasing a new Organic Dry Cider—in cans—and Friday starting at 6pm they are hosting a release party for it: “We are thrilled to bring you a new DRY CIDER Made with NW Organic Apples. Tart and flavorful up front with a dry finish, these apples have died and gone to heaven. Join us to celebrate- $4 pints -Music provided by DJ Esus – FREE/Over 21”

Pfriem Family Brewers (Hood River): Starting Friday and all weekend long they are raising money for the Gorge at their new taproom Bear’s Den space: “This weekend – FRIDAY, SATURDAY & SUNDAY drop in to our new Bear’s Den space! We’ll be donating 50% of all to-go beer sales to Friends of the Columbia Gorge. This includes growler & crowler fills, along with bottles to go. In the last few days, we have watched wild fires rip through our beloved Columbia Gorge. Our hearts are heavy, but our brewery is beyond grateful for all the courageous men & women who are sacrificing so much and working round the clock to try and keep us safe! Please join us in thanking these incredible people for their selfless service to our surrounding communities & forests!”

Pfriem also has their Festbier back on tap for the season (which I missed the other day): “pFriem Festbier is back on tap! This lager is a nod to Oktoberfestbier, which can only be brewed within the city limits of Munich. It is quaffable with aromas of freshly baked bread and is slightly sweet, rich and refreshing. 5.5%, 25 IBUs”

The Bier Stein (Eugene) is hosting a big Point Blank Distributing tap takeover all day long on Friday: “Portland-based Point Blank Distributing has gathered a broad catalog of beer from near and far over the years, and this event showcases some of their mainstay brands, mostly from Oregon. Beer distribution is a complicated subject, but at its root it consolidates a lot of the work necessary to move beer from the brewery to retail stores. This saves energy, adds jobs to the beer sector, and increases consumer access to a wider range of beer. The Bier Stein wouldn’t have nearly the selection it does without distributors like Point Blank, so come raise a glass to them, enjoy some of the great beer from their catalog on tap, and enter to win a sweet folding bicycle from Humboldt Brewing! The raffle will go from 5-8pm. You will get one raffle ticket when you purchase a full draught pour. Cool stuff will be raffled off every half-hour– the bike will be the grand prize!” You definitely need to stop by if you’re in the Eugene area!

The 2017 Oregon Brews and BBQ’s fest kicks off on Friday in McMinnville, to run all weekend: “Oregon Brews and BBQ is all about Great Food, Great Regional Brews, & A Whole Lot of FUN!! Located in the heart of McMinnville we have over 18,000 square feet of tent space, 35+ taps serving craft beer from 35+ breweries for your enjoyment throughout the weekend, delicious barbecue and other food delights, as well as live music. This is a fundraising event for St. James Catholic School & GhanaHope Foundation. We are pet friendly. Tickets needed for those 12 and older.” Tickets are available online here.

Golden Valley Brewery (McMinnville) has a new beer release on Friday: “We are excited to release Feign of Terroir. Released to coincide with the vintners’ crush, this barrel aged sour ale was finished over nine months in oak with local Pinot Noir grapes. Brettanomyces funk and Pinot fruit meet, and they get along well. Come in and grab a bite and enjoy the break from the heat!”

Fresh hops watch! Here are the breweries with fresh hop beers available as of Friday:

• Three Creeks Brewing (Sisters): Cone Lick’r is available on draft and in bottles.
• Alameda Brewing (Portland): Both a fresh hop and Oktoberfest: “Solar Cones Extra Pale, with fresh hops harvest during the Total Eclipse, and Oktoberfest Märzen have arrived!”
• Laurelwood Brewing (Portland): Two fresh hops beers on tap! “Fresh Hop Friday! Fresh hop Free Range Red and a fresh hop collab pale with Lowercase Brewing on tap now!”

Saturday, 9/9

The 8th annual BenFest returns on Saturday! “The 8th Annual BenFest will be held at Gigantic Brewing‘s back lot. BenFest was inspired by a large number of brewers named Ben and orginally thought to be a bizarre reason to have a festival, so why not do it? Earlier this year, Ben Flerchinger passed away and this year’s BenFest will serve as the fundraiser for his family to help with end of life expenses. Even though, BenFest and the beer community will not be the same without him, we are making the celebration this year the biggest yet! Besides the breweries with a Ben participating, many partners are sending great beer.” You can buy tickets online here; they are $30 which gets you the glass plus 10 tickets. Cheers to the Bens!

StormBreaker Brewing (Portland) has their Stormtoberfest taking place from noon to 9pm on Saturday: “Before you Oktoberfest, it’s time to Stormtoberfest! All day beer and sausage pairings featuring Stormtoberfest Marzenbier and 4 of our favorite German beers, bavarian food specials, live music from 2:30-6:30, and more!” However it looks like they might be holding this all weekend based on this image they posted—so head over their to fest it up!

McMenamins 23rd Avenue Bottle Shop (Portland) is part of the 11th Annual Slabtown Community Festival in northwest Portland, and they are celebrating accordingly from 11 to 5pm: “The 11th Annual Slabtown Community Festival in NW Portland returns, and we’ll pour samples of Ruby, Hammerhead and our seasonal cider, as well as root beer for the kids at the festival site in the parking lot at NW 23rd/Thurman St. Inside the Bottle Shop, all apparel and McMenamins logo items will be 20% off during the event… and there will be a McMenamins Passport Discovery Hunt, so solve the clues, get a prize, and be entered to win an overnight stay at one of our historic hotels.”

The Lincoln City Chowder & Brewfest is taking place Saturday from noon to 7pm, at the Outlet Stores in, well, Lincoln City. “A dish synonymous with the Oregon Coast, this comfort food is on display. Enjoy chowders from a variety of restaurants and find your favorite! Craft breweries will have their best creations available for your sampling pleasure. We’ve got a special treat for wine lovers as well. Enjoy live music on the main stage throughout the event and take part in fun family friendly games to showcase some of your best talents.” Tickets available online here cost up to $25 in advance ($30 at the door) which gets you: “Includes beer and cider tastings, Commemorative Tasting Glass, $5 in Chinook Winds Casino Resort Slot Play, and chowder tastings.”

Crux Fermentation Project (Bend): On Saturday from 4 to 8pm they are hosting a PCT Party: “Join us as we celebrate the Pacific Crest Trail and the folks that help protect, preserve, and promote it, all while hoisting the beer we named after the wilderness path that is in Bend’s backyard. Folks from the Pacific Crest Trail Association (PCTA) will be there so chat them up to learn more about the trail and how you can get involved. And as a supporter of the PCTA, we’ll donate a dollar for every pint of beer purchased during the event – two dollars per pint or six-pack of PCT Porter sold. We’ll raffle off some fun stuff, Lumbercat will provide the live soundtrack, and good times will be had.”

Lompoc Brewing (Portland): Saturday at their Sidebar, Lompoc is holding the release party for two beers: Oktoberfest and Hot Rack IPA. “Lompoc Oktoberfest is a German style lager that is pale orange in color. It has a clean malt flavor balanced by a touch of Perle hops. A portion of the grain used was roasted in the oven at Lompoc’s Fifth Quadrant, giving a slight biscuit flavor. It comes in at 5% ABV. There will also be German themed food specials available at the event. Hot Rack IPA is the “Pride of Cascadia” winning entry from the third annual Timbers Army Duane Graf Memorial Homebrew Competition, held earlier this year. Brewed with winner Chuck Macaluso, this rye IPA is pale orange in color and features a big grapefruit aroma and flavor that finishes slightly spicy. It comes in at 7% ABV.”

Portland’s N.W.I.P.A. is celebrating five years on Saturday! “Finally made it to 5 years, so lets party!
$3 drafts of only the tastiest of i.p.a.s being offered this day. We are cooking up proteins for everyone and we ask if you can bring a side to share with all your friends. Food will be available from 5pm until it’s gone. If you bring a side, you will get first dibs on some special bottles we’re selling on this night only, from 7-7:30pm.” The party starts at 5pm.

Sunday, 9/10

Gigantic Brewing is unveiling their latest beer on Sunday, the 10th, and doing some community cleanup: “Join SOLVE and Gigantic Brewing Company on Sunday, September 10, to unveil the Pristine Pacific Juicy Pale! This juicy pale is a limited-running beer, with 5% of the proceeds benefitting SOLVE. At 10:30 am, join SOLVE staff and fellow community members as we clean up litter in Gigantic’s neighborhood. After the cleanup, at 12 pm, when Gigantic’s doors open, we will celebrate with a few pints! Please note, this event is for volunteers 21+. Register for the cleanup here: http://solveoregon.org/get-involved/events/pristine-pacific-launch-cleanup”

General

Craft Kitchen and Brewery (Bend) is getting ready to move to a new location. On Friday they posted on Facebook: “$9 craft burgers ALL DAY! Tomorrow will be our last day serving brunch at this location! We will be moving so please follow us for updated news. We are very excited about our new venture.” Unfortunately I do not have any details on this yet but as I find out I will post them.