A jam-packed edition of beer notes spanning breweries west of the Mississippi…

Surly Brewing: Surly won its battle to open a new brewery and restaurant complex unanimously in the Senate panel. It’s not clear what needs to happen next based on the report but it sounds like it’s not a done deal yet. How did they do it? A measure was added to the bill to limit the ability to sell direct to consumers to breweries that produce less than 250,000 barrels annually.

Cascade Brewing: A special release event. Per Facebook, “Ten cases of The Vine ’08 will be released on Sunday, April 10. This Northwest style sour blends soured tripel, blonde and golden ales that were then fermented with the juice of white wine grapes. It’s a delicious offering that appeals to both beer and wine drinkers.

Vintage bottles cost $22 and are sold ONLY at Cascade Brewing Barrel House, 939 SE Belmont (not at the Raccoon Lodge). We do not ship or hold on reserve any of these bottles. On vintage sale days, the Barrel House opens at 10 am, with sales starting at 11 am sharp. Those who arrive prior to the sale receive a number and are served in order when the sale begins, so it behooves you to arrive early. Limit 2 bottles per person.”

The Lost Abbey: The release date is set for Older Viscosity 2011. Saturday, April 23rd, 12pm-6pm. $15 per 375ml bottle and no limit.

Brooklyn Brewery: Attention Texas drinkers. Per the brewery blog, “We are excited to announce that our Brewmaster’s Reserve line of draft-only specialty beers has broken the borders of Texas, and will for the first time be available State-wide. To celebrate, we’re having a tapping party in Dallas on April 13 at Vickery Park. Join us for the Texas Launch of Brewmaster’s Reserve featuring Main Engine Start, an Abbey Singel and the first brew from our new Brooklyn brewhouse.”

Drake’s Brewing: Per the blog, “Drake’s brewed it’s 3000th batch on Monday! Batch 3000 is a black 1500– i.e. a dark version of our 1500 Pale Ale… or a hoppy black ale… or as our newest team member, Jesse, calls it: ‘the dark side of the moon’… We used Carafa malt, creating a lightly roasted flavor, and even more hops than we do in our 1500: Columbus for bittering, and Cascade, Citra, Chinook & Falconer’s Flight Hop Blend for aroma and flavor. Stay tuned for an update of when this beer will be ready to make it’s debut in society– just a few weeks away…” They’re installing more tanks, too.

Boulevard Brewing: Brewed Dark Truth Stout this week.

Tyranena Brewing: The brewery said in a newsletter that Scurvy IPA will be bottled and kegged in a week or so. Dirty Old Man Imperial Rye Porter (With A Portion Aged In Rye Whiskey Barrels) went on tap last night. It is “a repeat Brewers Gone Wild! series beer and a likely candidate to become a regular in our seasonal rotations.”

Bonus I: Wall Street Journal posed some questions regarding the much-discussed HR 1161 (wholesaler/consumer) bill

Bonus II: Stone Brewing’s Greg Koch learns that most Belgians aren’t aware of Cantillon (video)