Today is National Drink Beer Day! Nothing special you have to do—just drink a beer! I know I will be. Here’s the Oregon beer news to accompany that beer for this Thursday, September 28. 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.

The Bier Stein (Eugene) is welcoming Corvallis’ Flat Tail Brewing for a Multi-Beer Release Party tonight from 5 to 8pm: “Flat Tail scores a hat trick with three new beers featured on tap: Dam Wild Peaches & Cream, Extra Session Barleywine, and Cuvee Dam Wild. PLUS we will tap the only keg left in existence of Wallet Phone. Originally released in 2013, this Russian Imperial Stout “is a blend of 33% year-old Stout fermented in Buffalo Trace Experimental Rice Whiskey & Blanton’s Red barrels, and 67% fresh Stout. Weyermann Oak Smoked Wheat malt lends a huge vanilla aroma & flavor, with hints of smoke. Molasses & licorice notes blend harmoniously with a hint of umami from over 15% roasted ingredients.” We look forward to trying all of these flavors, old and new!”

McMenamins Lighthouse Brewpub (Lincoln City) is featuring a chance to meet their brewer with a beer tasting today featuring Smoked and Spicy Gold from 5 to 8pm: “The man currently leading the paddle is Gary Stallings, but before he was mashing in, Gary served as an imperative member of the front of house team. He’s well-versed in the language of the Lighthouse, and is now providing you with an opportunity every other month to taste a new beer! You’ll also want to take a look around and get to know this exposed brewing operation. About Smoked and Spicy Gold: This light-bodied Golden Ale got a bung addition of smoked jalapeños that introduce a slightly smoky, spicy flavor profile to an otherwise very mild beer. Using a small amount of Nugget Hops as the bittering agent, and finishing with a small amount of Tettnanger Hops, this ale possesses a nice mild hoppiness that balances very well with the light malt bill.”

Deschutes Brewery (Bend): Today is the release day for The Dissident at the Portland Pub! “The Dissident 2017 Release! Join us on Thursday, September 28, to celebrate the 2017 release of The Dissident, our Oud Bruin Flanders-style brown ale.
• Chef specials and beer + food pairings!
Starter: Dumpling with Briar Rose Maya and local mushrooms
Entree: Dissident-brined half-chicken, smoked and served with savory bread pudding and charred Brussels sprouts
Dessert: White chocolate forest bombe with cherries, white chocolate and toasted meringue
• Tasting from 6pm-9pm
• Sample tray with vintages from ’12, ’14, ’15, ’16 >> $18+” Keep an eye on that event page for updates.

Belmont Station (Portland) is hosting the Portland Kick-off party for Washington’s Aslan Brewing tonight from 5 to 8pm: “Aslan, a Bellingham, Wash., organic brewery will be distributed in Portland year ’round (finally!) and we are stoked to host them as they start making their presence here in Beervana. There will be a tasting in the bottle shop which will include their canned offerings.”

Rock Bottom Brewery (Portland) is hosting their Rocktoberfest Dine and Donate today starting at 4pm, raising money for the Pink Boots Society: “Rocktoberfest, a complex toasted malt beer was brewed while wearing the finest Lederhose in town and listening to an acordian playing in the background. We are bringing Germany to the Brewery and you need to be apart of it. No Cover Charge. All Ages Welcome in the Brewery. Not only do have have our Rocktoberfest Beer on tap, we have also released a Limited Time Only Rocktoberfest Themed Menu! Come have dinner with us on Thurs. Sept 28th and order off the Rocktoberfest Menu with 10% of menu sales go towards benefitting Pink Boots Society. Come in to see the full menu! When ordering off this menu on Thursday, you also receive the Rocktoberfest pint at $3 with .25 cents of every pint sold going towards Pink Boots Society.”

And speaking of Oktoberfest-themed celebrations, Coin Toss Brewing continues with OctTonyFest today, and Loyal Legion’s Oktoberfest continues as well. At Beergarden in Eugene, today’s Oktoberfest features the classic Hofbrau: “Hofbrau will be here from 5-7p We’re tapping their Hefe, Oktoberfest and more!” Prost!