It’s the start of a new week, and time for another round of Oregon beer news. As usual, I’ll be periodically updating this post throughout the day, so check back often for the latest news. If you have news to share, please contact me and I can get that updated as well.

Brewpublic’s Killer Beer Week continues today with the event I’d personally look the most forward to: Killer Pumpkin Fest! It starts at 5pm at the Green Dragon: “Returning after being a huge success in its inaugural year in 2011, The Green Dragon Pub (928 SE 9th Ave., Portland, OR) teams up with Brewpublic to present Portland’s ultimate pumpkin brew festival. Dozens of tasty gourd-eous beers spanning many base styles will be showcased throughout the pub and in the beer garden. Pumpkin food pairings, games, and pumpkin smashing will also be highlights of this year’s Killer Pumpkin Fest. Get your pumpkin fix here for the season!”

McMenamin’s Crystal Ballroom (Portland) has a limited-edition beer tasting today from 6 to 8pm, featuring a ginger and citrus-infused beer named Solar Flare: “Crystal brewers Tony Balzola and Alex McGaw have brewed up a treat for you this month. Brewed with a German ale yeast and fermented at cold temperature, Solar Flare is a crisp and refreshing wheat beer with and added twist. A tea made of lemon, lime, orange, and ginger was added to create a citrus and spice flavor and aroma.” Definitely sounds interesting so don’t dawdle—when the keg’s gone, it’s gone.

MacTarnahan’s Brewing (Portland) has a beer dinner coming up this week on Thursday the 25th: their “Bacon & Bisque Brewmaster’s Dinner” featuring four courses paired with Mac beers (including an intriguingly-named “Chai Wheat”) for $45 (a growler fill is included with the dinner). Ticket sales appear to have ended but you could always call 503-228-5269 to see if there are any open slots.

Natian Brewery (Portland) has announced their Third Anniversary Partycoming up next month on November 10. Looks like a fun event: “We’ll start the evening with a tour of Natian Brewery. The brewery tour is a RSVP only event and will start promptly at 7:00pm and run until 7:30ish. Enjoy a refreshing canned beverage, and bask in the glory of Natian’s new 10BBL system. Then we will walk over to Eastburn for a tap take over with Natian to celebrate in style. Word on the street is you may want to bring your dancing shoes!” Mark your calendars.

Deschutes Brewery (Bend) announced today a new year-round beer: Deschutes River Ale, which is slated to come out next spring. The press release (which I just receive a few minutes ago as I write this) says: “The new brew, which underwent several experimental batches at the brewery’s pubs over the past few months, will hit shelves in the spring of 2013. The beer will be released in six-packs and draft to craft beer fans across the western United States and Canada. Deschutes River Ale underlines the importance of the river to the culture and inspiration that has fed Deschutes beers for nearly a quarter century. It is a well-balanced and refreshing ale, full of Cascade and Crystal hop character, malt poise and a large helping of craft passion.” Amazingly, this is going to be a full-on session ale: 3.9% abv! Also 28 IBUs which should be quite flavorful in a beer this light. Deschutes is definitely bucking the trend here by releasing a beer this low in alcohol as its next year-round; I would guess that they are targeting the outdoor recreation audience who does in fact spend a lot of time on the Deschutes River in summer—for which a refreshing session ale would be perfect.

Portland breweries Lompoc, Amnesia, Columbia River, and Burnside are teaming up with Trebol (traditional Oaxacan cuisine) for a special brewer’s dinner on Wednesday the 24th from 6:30 to 10pm: “[F]eaturing beers from Lompoc (LSD), Amnesia (Copacetic IPA), Columbia River (War Elephant Imperial IPA) and Burnside Brewing (Oatmeal Pale), paired with dinner plates from Sous Chef Mikey. The event will take place at the restaurant, located at 4835 N. Albina Ave. Reservations are not required; the public is welcome to show up any time between 5 and 10 p.m. to start the dinner. Tickets are $50 and can be purchased by calling 503-517-9347.”

Belmont Station (Portland) has a tasting and meet the brewer this Thursday the 25th, featuring Sisters’ Three Creeks Brewing (and brewer Zach Beckwith): “Taste the bottle lineup from this marvelous Sisters, Oregon brewpub, including Five Pine Chocolate Porter, Hoodoo Voodoo IPA, & Stonefly Rye. The new fall warmer, Dark Hollow and Raptor Rye IPA on tap in the Biercafe.” It runs from 5 to 7pm.