Happy Friday! Here’s the news in Oregon beer for the end of the week and the weekend. I’ll be updating this news post throughout the day, please contact me if you have some news you would like to share.

Is everybody set for Zwickelmania tomorrow? This year’s (fourth) edition looks to be the best yet, with lots of breweries participating and many going above and beyond to offer up a great experience. And remember, if you’re in Portland, Eugene, or Central Oregon there are shuttles that can take you touring to the various breweries.

GoodLife Brewing (Bend): In addition to the Zwickelmania festivities, tomorrow they are also holding their bottle release party celebrating the release of their Mountain Rescue Pale Ale in 22-ounce bottles.

Lompoc Brewing (Portland): Today is the release party for their Batch 69 Baltic Porter from 4 to 10pm at their Sidebar, a rich lager with “hints of chocolate and black licorice.” In addition there will of course be other beers on top, notably a Rosemary Stout (which sounds incredibly intriguing).

Fort George Brewery (Astoria): Saturday the 18th (side-by-side with Zwickelmania) is Fort George’s “Festival of Dark Arts Carnival of Stout” for Stout Month, their most-of-the-day stout fest (from 2 to 10pm). Free admission to get in, $8 for the taster glass and $1 per taste, with a fantastic lineup of at least 20 different stouts! Also: ” Also for your senses will be: Belly dancing, fire dancing, fire eating, a live blacksmith forge, on site tattoo artists, dark cuisine, music, tarot card reading, and a HUGE art show featuring some of Astoria’s great artists showcasing their “dark art.”  This is not your Mom’s beer fest.”