Happy first of October! (Is that a thing?) Here’s the news for the start of the first full Fall month. 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.

Starting out with a block of (local, to me) Central Oregon news! First, Sisters’ Three Creeks Brewing is expanding into Idaho! They announced in a press release yesterday that they are teaming up with Boise’s Craig Stein Beverage: “Taking advantage of the expanded capacity from their new production brewery, Three Creeks can now reach out to neighboring markets like Idaho. As one of the largest distributors in the Northwest, CSB has a solid presence throughout the southern half of Idaho, making it a strong partner to support Three Creeks’ expansion plans. Jointly, the two will enter the Idaho market showcasing styles like Knotty Blonde, Hoodoo Voodoo IPA, Raptor IPA, FivePine Chocolate Porter and Crowdpleaser IPA.” Huge congrats to Three Creeks on making the leap!

Worthy Brewing (Bend) announces the release of their winter seasonal, Powder Keg Winter Ale, today: “This red-hued festive IPA is loaded with hop flavor and aroma from a double dry hopping with a Centennial/Chinook and Cascade/Columbus combo. Pine and citrus hop characters are balanced by a generous dose of crystal malts. This “winter warmer” will be an aggressive, yet balanced favorite for the colder months. The October to January release of six-pack bottles and kegs will be distributed by Columbia Distribution in Oregon and Washington, Hodgen Distributing in Eastern Oregon, and by Hayden Beverage in Idaho.” Keep an eye out.

Bend Brewing (Bend) has a couple of beers newly on tap, one returning and one new: “Salmonberry Sour is back on tap as well as a new brew “Coffeedence” cold pressed coffee stout, served on nitro.” Salmonberry Sour was the gold medal winner at last year’s GABF in the “Indigenous/Regional Beer” category.

McMenamins Old Church & Pub (Wilsonville) has a limited-edition beer tasting tonight starting at 5pm, featuring Lumber-Sexual India Pale Lager: “Are you a man’s man? Are you a tough, bearded, and rugged testament to the Northwest and all her untamed beauty? After a long day’s work do you long for a beer with the clean refreshing taste of a quality pilsner and the hoppyiness of a premier NW IPA? Well, look no further my burly friend because we’ve got the perfect thing for you. Double dry hopped for twice the hop aroma, “Lumber-sexual IPL” explodes with notes of citrus, tropical fruits, and evergreen. Unlike an India Pale Ale, the use of lager yeast results in a cleaner tasting beer allowing the hops to shine their brightest. Even if you aren’t a lumberjack, at least you can still drink like one!”

The Green Dragon (Portland): Tonight’s meet the brewer event is featuring Rick Strauss of Bent Shovel Brewing of Oregon City: “Our hearts will fill with pride when former Brew Crew member Rick Strauss returns to the Green Dragon Thursday as the owner and brewer of Bent Shovel Brewing. Rick took his love of home brewing and turned professional, creating small batch, handcrafted ales and lagers at his brewpub in Oregon City. We love people who follow their dreams and can’t wait to taste Rick’s latest creations.”

Lompoc Brewing (Portland): Today is the release party for Lompoc’s fall (Halloween) seasonal, Monster Mash, taking place at the Sidebar starting at 4pm: “Looking for a fall beer without pumpkin? You’ve come to the right place. No graveyard bash is complete without a batch of this monster brew, a full-bodied, full-flavored mash up of a half dozen dark specialty malts. Chocolate, rauch and kilned coffee grains hint at this big brew’s profile. The malty sweetness is balanced nicely with the bitter notes of dark chocolate and coffee, alongside Centennial, Cascade and Willamette hops. It’s a monster indeed! 8.1% ABV. Try it, then take home a bottle, $4 at all Lompoc locations!”

PFriem Family Brewers (Hood River) has a pumpkin ale: “Our pFriem Pumpkin Bier is all bottled up just in time for October! Grab some to celebrate the arrival of Fall! Also, don’t forget that our Pumpkin Bier will be at Elysian Brewing’s Great Pumpkin Beer Fest this weekend in Seattle. If you have tickets, make sure to try some and let us know what you think!”

Fort George Brewery (Astoria) is on track with their own pumpkin beer as well: “Release the Squash Buckler! Pair this fire-roasted pumpkin ale with a wood-fired elk burger topped with a chanterelle mushroom & onion confit, basil aioli, and served on a fresh brioche bun with a side of seasonal vegetables.”