It’s Hump Day, the third Wednesday of the month, which means here in Bend is the monthly homebrew club meeting. I hope your day is going well so far! Here’s the news in Oregon beer for November 16; as usual, I’ll be periodically updating this post throughout the day with the latest news, so check back often for updates. And if you have news to share, please contact me and I can get that updated as well.

Hopworks Urban Brewery (Portland) is releasing their very first whiskey today, made from unhopped Organic HUB Lager and distilled at New Deal Distillery. The release party is from 5 to 8pm. “On Wednesday we release a whiskey that is more than four years in the making. HUB Brewer’s Whiskey will be served by the glass and in specialty whiskey cocktails at both our pubs. Our Powell brewpub will have a special food item prepared with our whiskey. Come in and have one of the first glasses of this very special whiskey with us! If you’re looking to buy a bottle, we’ll have a very limited bottle sale on December 17.” I’ve been enjoying the brewery-distillery crossovers recently, this should be interesting!

Crux Fermentation Project (Bend): Today is the release of the 2016 version of their barrel aged [BANISHED] Tough Love Imperial Stout, with a party from 4 to 9pm: “Join us in our Tasting Room for a celebratory toast with our Crux team— for the release of one of our most highly anticipated beers. This marks the official debut of our 2016 [BANISHED] Tough Love Imperial Stout on draft and in bottles. To make the evening even more special, we will have a Tough Love three-year vertical (2014, 2015, 2016, including Truff Love Truffles), Live Music, and a toast at 6pm from Master Brewer & Co-Founder, Larry Sidor.”

McMenamins Oak Hills (Portland) has their From the Fishbowl beer tasting today featuring Pineapple Espresso Stout: “This dark, full-flavored Stout is lightened up a bit with fresh pineapple and brought together with McMenamins Cold Pressed Coffee Extract. The result is quite a unique brew; dark and flavorful, but mellow and relaxing. This mash up of flavors doesn’t come around often, so I suggest trying this one before it’s gone.” It runs from 5 to 8pm.

Hair of the Dog Brewing (Portland): The 2016 edition of Doggie Claws barleywine is out today! Brewmaster Alan Sprints posted: “Doggie Claws 2016 release is today, great carbonation & not without hops. Open at 11:30, 12oz bottles, no case limit”

Three Mugs Brewing (Hillsboro) is doing a Brewers Dinner with Old Chicago in Beaverton this evening, from 6 to 8pm. I don’t know a price but they posted the menu here, offering up four courses paired with a variety of Three Mugs beers.

The Oregon Historical Society in Portland is hosting a book talk tonight with Peter Kopp, author of the book Hoptopia: A World of Agriculture and Beer in Oregon’s Willamette Valley. I’m still reading this myself but it is really good; the talk runs from 5:30 to 8pm and yes, there will be beer on hand, provided by McMenamins. Go check this one out.

StormBreaker Brewing (Portland) has the release of their 2016 Barrel Aged Winter Coat today from 4 to 10pm: “Last year’s Winter Coat has been aging on Bull Run Bourbon barrels for a full year. Let’s drink it on 11/16! Will be served on draft and limited bottles will be available for purchase too!”

The BeerMongers (Portland) is hosting a meet the brewer tonight from 6 to 9pm with Three Weavers Brewing: “We’re very excited to have the crew from Three Weavers (Inglewood, CA) in the bar pouring their delicious beers.”

Bend’s Brother Jon’s Alehouse is hosting Double Mountain Brewery tonight for a vertical of the brewery’s winter seasonal, Fa La La La La: “We are having an awesome event with Double Mountain Brewery this Wednesday night starting at 6PM. 3 years of falalala on tap and lots of SWAG! Come join us.”

The Green Dragon (Portland): Their Green Dragon Brew Crew release tonight is Bad Hombre Mexican Russian Imperial Stout: “This mammoth Russian Imperial Stout was aged with cocoa nibs, vanilla beans, cinnamon sticks, and a blend of locally-grown ancho poblano, jalapeño, and habanero peppers. This beer has layers of rich, complex flavors reminiscent of Mexican chocolate that are well-balanced with an assertive touch of heat in the finish. This is the best Russian Imperial Stout that has ever existed. No other Russian Imperial Stout even comes close. You’ve never had a Russian Imperial Stout as good as this one. ABV 10%, IBU 60” It starts at 5pm.