Here’s the news in Oregon beer for Thursday, October 17th. As usual, I’ll be periodically updating this post throughout the day with the latest news, so check back often for updates. If you have news to share, please contact me and I can get that updated as well.

Tonight in Portland are the benefit events I blogged about for Brewpublic‘s Angelo de Ieso to help cover his medical bills: The Commons Brewery is hosting their benefit from 5 to 10pm where all draft sales will benefit Angelo, and they’ve assembled a terrific tap list of beer from various breweries who wanted to help out! And The EastBurn is teaming up with Elysian Brewing to host a special Beer Belly Dinner that will benefit Angelo, starting at 6:30pm and costing only $40—buy tickets here (there are still a few left). I expect everyone in Portland today to attend one or both of these great events to help support one of the nicest guys around!

Ecliptic Brewing (Portland), John Harris’ new brewery and pub, has an official opening date: October 21, this coming Monday. From the New School: “As reported in our last update on the highly-anticipated Ecliptic Brewing, the brewery’s opening day will in fact be the rumored October 21st date. Renowned Brewmaster John Harris will open his doors with three different Ecliptic beers and a full food menu at the new North Portland brewpub. All beer is brewed on-site in Ecliptic’s 15-barrel (bbl) brewhouse, and one collaboration beer brewed with Gigantic Brewing will be on tap. Harris and Executive Chef Michael Molitor will also be unveiling Ecliptic’s menu, which features local, seasonal fare and a heightened food experience.” I’m looking forward to trying it out one of the next times I’m in Portland.

Belmont Station (Portland) has a mead tasting tonight from 5 to 8pm featuring Eugene’s Blue Dog Mead: “Blue Dog rep Andrew Halladay will be in the beer store, sampling the entire Blue Dog Mead line: Blue, Green, Red and Yellow, plus Green and Yellow (new) in cans!”  If you haven’t had (or seen) mead in cans, be sure to stop by.

Cascade Brewing (Portland) has a 2011 vintage of Bourbonic Plague going on draft at 4:30pm today at their Barrel House: “This NW style sour ale is a spiced double porter that was aged 24 months in Heaven Hills Bourbon barrels with Bahri dates, Bourbon vanilla beans and Thai Cinnamon. Complex aromas of dark malts and spices combine with sweet vanillin and notes of Bourbon and leather. Sweet vanilla, dark fruits and Bourbon come together and reveal themselves with notes of dates, oak, leather and tobacco on the palate. Tart dark fruits and a warming bourbon flavor finish this off as only Bourbonic can. 12% ABV / $8.00 Glass – 8oz pour ($3.00 taster)”