I've got good news for you.
It's hot. It's a three day weekend. It's America Day. You've got a lot of beer to drink.
One of Portland's best IPAs is now in bottles, there's a special new beer brewed with cucumber and honeydew, and there will be a whole park filled with beer this weekend—with proceeds from your bad habits going to charity.
Oh, and John Harris' brewery is pouring 10 different fruit beers on the Fourth.
Light the fireworks and don that questionable speedo: It's gonna be one heck of a 240th year for the stars and stripes.
Thursday, June 30
Culmination Phaedrus IPA and Sour Flower Power Hour Bottle Release
Last year's Best New Brewery at the Oregon Beer Awards celebrates the bottle release of its flagship IPA and a session sour for the summer by invading the taps at the Beermongers for an evening, bringing along a 2015 bourbon barrel barleywine to sweeten the deal. Given how well Phaedrus did in our blind IPA taste off, we'd recommend you snag some of it when you see it fresh on store shelves, but given the overall quality of the brewery's tap-only wares that will be pouring tonight, a trip to SE might be worth it. PH. The BeerMongers, 1125 SE Division St. 5 pm. Free.
McPolanders' and 54-40 Beer Release
Two of Portland's most avid homebrewers, Jenn McPoland and Jeremie Landers, release their latest pro-collaboration with Washougal's 54-40 on NE Killingsworth St. A summer-themed brew made with honeydew and cucumber, it should be a perfect way to kick off Portland's warmest season. PH. Saraveza, 1004 N Killingsworth St. 6 pm. Free.
Friday, July 1
Portland Craft Beer Fest
Oregon Craft Beer Month kicks off with a celebration of all things brewed locally, as the Portland Craft Beer Fest distinguishes its taps by only pouring beer, wine, and cider brewed in the city of roses (plus one that was likely brewed by Breakside in Milwaukie). With proceeds distributed to Friends of Trees, the Oregon Lions Sight & Hearing Foundation, and Oregon Brew Crew, this three day fest is a good chance to harm your liver for the greater good. PH. The Fields Neighborhood Park, 1099 NW Overton St., portlandcraftbeerfestival.com. 4-10 pm Friday, July 1, 12-10 pm Saturday, July 2, 12-7 pm Sunday, July 3.
Fat Tire and Friends 25th Anniversary Celebration
North Portland gets a taste of two special New Belgium collaborations this evening, one from each coast. As the brewery celebrates a quarter century of its acclaimed amber ale, it showcases two funky version brewed in partnership with Maine's Allagash and Portland's Hopworks, whose interesting take on the classic includes sour apples. PH. Untapped, 4320 N Interstate Ave. 6 pm. Free.
Monday, July 4
Ecliptic Fruit Fest Frenzy
John Harris' brewery has been brewing up a storm this year, producing comparatively massive amounts of fruit beer between batches of its multi-award-winning Capella Porter. This Fourth of July they deplete their stocks, putting various barrel-aged selections on tap throughout the day, alongside more mainstream—but still probably delicious—beers like a tripel with black currants. Drink up, it's for America. PH. Ecliptic Brewing, 825 N Cook St. 11 am. Free.
Willamette Week