Beer Hall: April Fools', Selfie Fest and Lompoc's Hip-Hop IPA Night

It's hot.

People are drinking on patios, and beer fests are making their slow and steady return as anticipation builds for another awesome Portland summer.

As beer events shrug off cold-weather styles, a decent amount of hoppy ales and pleasant lagers take their place on taps this week, and even import fans get their share of warm-weather Belgians.

This transition period is also good for cider fans, who get access an assortment of awesome Oregon and Washington apple flavors at this weekend's Hophouse Ciderfest.

And then there is today's prank-themed holiday, which sees two collaboration brews from Base Camp and Culmination, and a smattering of applause for some of AB Inbev's better craft-style beers at Southeast Portland's BeerMongers.

Enjoy the weather while you can. Warm-weather beer styles are here to stay, at least for a while—even in April showers.

Friday, April 1

April Fools' with Ballast Point

Four flavors of Ballast Point's Victory At Sea—among AB Inbev's best craft-style imperial porters— make and appearance on the BeerMongers taps this evening. A delicious dark brew which is absolutely not appropriate to drink on a hot day, this is one of the better April Fools' pranks that could be played on beer fans citywide; you'll want to drink it, but you'll feel weird about it. The BeerMongers, 1125 SE Division St. 5 pm. Free.

April Fools' with Base Camp and Culmination

Base Camp and Culmination take the reins at Imperial for the evening, pouring two Oregon-brewed interpretations of the classic California Common beer style. A classic style best brewed by the famed Anchor brewer, two updated versions of the lager will be presented by the younger guns tonight. Imperial Bottle Shop & Taproom, 3090 SE Division St.. 6 pm. Free.

Saturday, April 2

Selfie Fest

A celebration of self-distributing breweries regionwide, Selfie Fest showcases what breweries that do their own sales and marketing have to offer. With selections from smaller all-stars like Sasquatch, Baerlic and several other great but under-appreciated breweries in town, there should be a lot you haven't tried before—and a good amount that impresses. Imperial Bottle Shop & Taproom, 3090 SE Division St. 3 pm. Free.

Hophouse Ciderfest

It's spring, which means the ciderfests just keep on rolling out. The 15th Avenue Hophouse will hold a yard party for cider in its parking lot, featuring a whole mess of Oregon and Washington cideries, including their own cidermakers. Participants include Reverend Nat's, Cider Riot!, Incline, Neigel Vintner Cider, Wandering Aengus, Apple Outlaw, Finnriver, and Wildcraft. 15th Avenue Hophouse, 1517 NE Brazee St. 2-7 pm, through April 3. $30 gets you 12 tasting tokens, $40 gets you 24. 21+.

Belgian Beer Day

For the last time at its location on 21st—before a move into the former Twist yogurt shop on 23rd in Slabtown' The Abbey will celebrate Belgian Beer Day with a live feed from Antwerp and other Belgian-style beer bars, with special bottles uncorked, and assorted Belgian beer shwag on hand. Think of it as one giant worldwide "Santé!" or "Prost!" The Abbey Bar, 716 NW 21st Ave. Noon-midnight. 21+.

Wednesday, April 6

Hip-Hop IPA Night

Lompoc celebrates the ongoing success of its hip-hop-themed IPA series, which began with WW's own collaboration with head brewer Bryan Keilty: World Class Wreckin' Bru. Now joined by several other awesome hoppy rap-inspired ales, tonight is a great chance to try the latest in Keilty's seemingly endless supply of new IPA varieties. Lompoc Tavern, 1620 NW 23rd Ave. 4 pm. Free.

Brewvana's Fifth Anniversary

Portland's favorite beer bus turns 5, celebrating its success at the best brewery parking lot in town—Ecliptic Brewing (who also happen make the best porter in the state, according to the Oregon Beer Awards). With live music, proceeds benefiting the Oregon Brewshed Alliance, and some great food to boot, this is a fantastic place to celebrate half a decade of worry-free beer trips. Ecliptic Brewing, 825 N Cook St. 5 pm. $10-$12.

Knee Deep Tap Takeover

Their labels might look terrible, but boy California's Knee Deep brewing makes some damn fine hoppy ales. All the better, then, that you can grab a pour without the typically necessary bottle this evening at N.W.I.P.A., which gets kegs of some of the Auburn, Calif., brewery's finest hop juice to fill its taps. Pro tip: Grab a pint of Breaking Bud before it blows up. N.W.I.P.A., 6350 SE Foster Road. 6 pm. Free.

Willamette Week