Here is the news in Oregon beer for the week of March 24, 2014, general news first and then day-to-day specific news broken up accordingly. I’ll be updating this post throughout the week with the latest news as I find it, so periodically check back in for updates. If you have news to share, please feel free to contact me and I can get that posted as well.

The 2nd annual Portland Farmhouse & Wild Ale Festival is taking place this weekend, Saturday and Sunday the 29th and 30th at Saraveza and their Bad Habit Room in northeast Portland. They’ve compiled a huge beer list of amazing beers, with an additional special bottle deal from The Ale Apothecary. “Festival entry is $25 and includes commemorative glassware and 10 drink tickets – Pre-sale entry is available now at the Beer Boutique.  Fest Entry and additional tickets will also be available for sale at the door (CASH ONLY!).  Minors allowed until 9pm when accompanied by an adult.” One not to be missed.

Whole Foods in Bend is holding their own 2nd annual Whole Planet Foundation Brew Fest this Thursday, the 27th from 5 to 8pm. It only costs $5 and features beer (and swag) from a bevy of local (and a few not-so-local breweries), as well as a silent auction. 100% of the proceeds benefit the Whole Planet Foundation. The first 150 attendees will receive a free pint glass as well. This is a great local event more than worth the low price. Whole Foods in Bend is one of the “good beer anchors” in the area, offering one of the best beer selections in town.

Deschutes Brewery (Bend) has a new Pub Exclusive Series beer coming out today: Planète Rouge. “This sour, 10.2% ABV brew is a blend of 3 base beers created at the pubs: 1. Sour ‘Lil Red; 2. The Dissident; 3. Flanders Red. Being aged in Oregon oak barrels for 22 months with wild yeast & bacterial strains creates flavors that are out of this WORLD!” Bottles are available only at the pubs and tasting rooms.

Ninkasi Brewing (Eugene) is now brewing beer at their new facility (their brewery expansion), according to today’s (Monday’s) Instagram.

Worthy Brewing (Bend) has released the latest in their small-batch Heart & Soul beer series: Badlands Black IPA. “Badlands is a medium bodied, dark IPA, brewed with Chinook, El Dorado, Citra, Simcoe and Centennial hops. This beer was inspired by the stark beauty of the Oregon Badlands Wilderness area just east of the brewery.” (Not a “CDA”?)

Worthy is also releasing their Black Light Porter, released back in January as a draft-only beer, in 22-ounce bottles this April. This 5.7% abv beer is brewed with Ecuadorian dark cacao nibs.

Tuesday, 3/25

Belmont Station (Portland): They are hosting a “French & Basque Cider Tasting” Tuesday from 5 to 7pm: “French cider expert Rebecca Pagel will be in the bottle shop, tasting several French ciders and one Basque cider that recently entered the market: From Normandy, she will be sampling Le Pere Jules Poire, Cidre Brut and Cidre Demi-Sec. The other cider she will be sampling is Sagarnoa Txopinondo Cider,  from Basque country. These are lovely ciders that you really should taste to believe!”

Cascade Brewing (Portland): Tonight’s Tap It Tuesday at their Barrel House at 6pm is featuring “Live” Tom Collins. “This NW style blond ale was barrel aged seven months before aging additionally with lime and juniper. Juniper, lime and pine notes are noticed as you draw the glass near. Sweet lime and lemonade dance on the palate and lead to a bright pine and lemonade finish reminiscent of summer days. 7%, $8 Glass, $3 Taster”

Wednesday, 3/26

Wednesday is a bit of a McMenamins day!

McMenamins Old St. Francis School (Bend) has their monthly O’Kanes Cask Series Release kicking off at 5pm and featuring Immigrant Irish Red: “Immigrant Irish Red is a mellow and easy drinking beer for the all to enjoy. This Irish Red is made with the founding priests of Old St Francis School in mind. A beer to remind them of the ales they enjoyed back home. Earthy hops blend and balance well with the slight sweet malt flavor. A medium body yet has a complex flavor which allows you to sip on through the longer days that Spring brings! With that we have procured a few gallons to condition in our Firkin keg. A little less carbonation lets the malt really come through this ale. A great mix of a traditional Irish beer in a traditional keg! Come enjoy!”

McMenamins Crystal Ballroom (Portland) has a special beer tasting from 5 to 9pm on Wednesday, featuring Not Your Mom’s Firkin Porter: “This porter is deep brown in color with ruby highlights when held up to a bright light. This beer is designed to be dark and full flavored, but crisp and flavorful, making it easy to drink. The malt flavors dominate with a light bitterness and a slight floral/spicy note in the background that provides balance. Oak chips soaked in McMenamins Coffee Liquor gives this brew an oak-aged feel, adding notes of vanilla, chocolate, coffee, and oak.”

McMenamins Cornelius Pass Roadhouse (Hillsboro) has a special beer tasting with a bevy of strong ales, one of which is a guest beer, starting at 6pm. The beers are: Winter Warlock, from the CPR, a strong winter ale with 8.26% abv; Pile Driver Imperial Porter from CPR, 7.61% abv; and from the newer-ish Three Mugs Brewing based in Hillsboro, the 10% abv “SST” a Belgian Tripel that is a “Super Sonic Transport back to the old country.”

Thursday, 3/27

Belmont Station is hosting Portland’s new(ish) 13 Virtues Brewing for a meet the brewer from 5 to 7pm: “Philadelphia’s brewpub has become 13 Virtues. There is a lot of energy coming from the refocusing and it goes far beyond just a name change. Meet Brewmaster David Vohden in the Biercafe, where we will be pouring two 13 Virtues beers, Orange Peel Pale Ale and Barrel Aged Imperial Stout aged on Rogue whiskey barrels.”

McMenamins Highland Pub & Brewery (Gresham) has a meet the brewer and special beer tasting Thursday, featuring Strawberry Ales Forever, starting at 5pm. “One of the first fruits to ripen in the spring strawberries are an excellent way to usher in the new season. With a light hopping to balance out the sweetness from the fruit you’ll only get a subtle note of these delicious red delights. But that’s the way it should be. It’s still beer after all. Celebrate the end of winter with your friends, and send a cheers to all present company with this ripe, pink ale.” That sounds tasty!

The Bier Stein (Eugene) has a fun event taking place Thursday evening from 6 to 9pm: Oakshire Barleywine Hat Trick. “Check out this triple play: Oakshire 2013 Barleywine, 2012 Two-Planker Barleywine, and 2012 Brandywine on tap! Three’s company on our flight paddles… Oakshire folks will be here from 6-9 dishing out beer knowledge and other fun stuff!”