Here’s the Oregon beer news for Wednesday the 17th of October, hope it’s a happy Hump Day for you! As usual I’ll be periodically updating this post with the latest news as I find it, so check back often for updates. And if you have news to share, please contact me and I can get it posted as well.

Ninkasi Brewing (Eugene) teamed up with Seattle’s Elysian Brewing earlier in the season to brew up a collaboration Pumpkin IPA dubbed Hop Squash, and tomorrow night they are again teaming up for a “Hop Squash Total Tap Takeover” at Beer Bunker in Portland from 6pm til closing. The two breweries will be offering 12 beers on tap, “including super limited pumpkin beers, fresh hop beers and just down right hoppy beers!” Be sure to check it out especially if you’re looking for a taste of Hop Squash.

Southern Oregon’s third annual Umpqua Brew Fest is taking place this Saturday the 20th at the Douglas County Fairgrounds in Roseburg. It starts at 1pm and lasts all day, and has a nice lineup of beers that will be available—including from a number of new Roseburg breweries! It’s a 21-and-over event with free admission, though the glass will cost $10 and tasting ticket $1 each. I’ll have a longer post about it shortly with additional details, but this would definitely be an interesting festival to check out.

Lompoc Brewing (Portland) has a fresh hop night going on at the Sidebar tonight from 4 to 10pm: “Join us for Fresh Hop Night on Oct 17 featuring several vintage Lompoc fresh hop beers, including: 2008 Fresh Hop Harvest Man Red, 2011 Fresh Hop Harvest Man Red & 2012 Fresh Hop Harvest Man Red. Just in case fresh hops aren’t your thing, we’re also serving Bourbon Barrel Aged LSD, Hammerin’ Hank IPA & Kick Axe Pale Ale.”  I like the idea of trying vintage fresh hop beers, but of course there won’t be any fresh hop character in them (especially after four years!).

Belmont Station (Portland) has a cider tasting tonight featuring Corvallis’ 2 Towns Ciderhouse from 5 to 8pm. “Kevin Hood from Corvallis based 2 Towns Ciderhouse will pour tastes of Bad Apple, InCider, Pearadise, the new seasonal Serious Scrump, and the Traditions Amity Rose (aged in Pinot Noir barrels). We’ll even have a few bottles of bourbon bottle aged Amity to sell. 2 Towns Marionberry Cider on tap in our Biercafe.”

McMenamins Cornelius Pass Roadhouse (Hillsboro) has their Brewers’ Dinner tonight and just a little while they posted that there were still seats available. 7pm, six courses, $60. Call (503) 640-6174 to get in on it.

The Green Dragon (Portland): They have a Green Dragon Brew Crew/Widmer collaboration release tonight starting at 5pm: “The Velvet Hammer, a Dunkel Stark, created by Green Dragon Brew Crew members, Rich Hawthorne and John Heasley. Beer tapped at 5pm. The Velvet Hammer: While darker than a traditional Pilsner or Maibock beer, it is not a stout, though intentionally stronger than the average lager. Made with Gambrinus malt, Hallertauer hops and German lager yeast, it is smooth, potent, and thoroughly pleasing.”