TGIF! Here’s hoping everyone will have a good final February weekend, and here’s the news in Oregon beer for said weekend. As usual, I’ll be periodically updating this post throughout the day with the latest news, so check back often. If you have news to share, please contact me and I can get that posted as well.

Tomorrow (Saturday) the Portland Mercury’s annual Malt Ball, pairing up bands with breweries for a great event: “What happens when you put together the two best things in the world: delicious beer and rocking bands? You get the fourth annual Malt Ball, a day long fest that celebrates the staggering abundance of terrific music in our city AND the finest craft breweries that the Portland area has to offer. Your pals at the Mercury have partnered with the Oregon Brewers Guild to bring you the best-sounding beer festival in town, or the best-tasting music fest — whichever way you want to look at it.” Tickets are $25 and you can get them online here.

StormBreaker Brewing (Portland) is hosting their Brewstillery Festival all day on Saturday, beer paired with spirits: “Breweries and Distilleries teaming up to create the perfect pairings. Advance tix on sale now on our website for $20, $25 day of the event, which includes tasting glass and 10 tickets.” Tickets can be purchased on their website here. With 18 breweries and 12 distilleries, it should make for an interesting event!

The Bier Stein (Eugene) has a couple of events going on this weekend. First, today from 6 to 8pm they are hosting a tasting of the collaboration beer G-Two from GoodLife and Terminal Gravity. In addition to the G-Two (an Imperial Red Ale), they’ll have two other beers from each brewery on tap.

And tomorrow (Saturday), they are hosting Salem’s Gilgamesh Brewing for the release of their Mega Monster Imperial IPA: “‘XXX Imperial IPA. Rich, malty, and bitter as hell. Our Imperial IPA is different from the typical because we have brewed it with 3 pounds of humulus (hop pollen). Additionally, 1.5 pounds of hops are crammed into every barrel and boiled for 120 minutes. Reddish in color with a heavy body, this has a smooth sweet start, with a lasting “Monster” bite.’ Come hang with Gilgamesh rep Tony and try some beer!” That runs from 6 to 8pm.

Juniper Brewing (Redmond): Tonight they will be at The Steel Pail in Eugene: “Tap Takeover, Meet the Brewer, and Tasting this Friday at The Steel Pail, 4pm – 7pm. FIVE Juniper Brews on tap and few more for sampling!”

N.W.I.P.A. (Portland): Their 2nd annual Triple IPA Fest kicks off tomorrow at noon! The New School has an apt description of the event: “NWIPA will tap six superior triple IPAs all from Oregon breweries with the opening six: Barley Brown’s Tankslapper and CHAOS, Boneyard’s Notorious, Breakside’s Safe Word, Pfriem’s Triple IPA and 10 Barrel Boise’s Lupulin Trip, which Shawn Kelso made specifically for the event. Entry is $10 and includes commemorative glassware and 6 tickets. Additional tickets are available for $1. One ticket equals 2 oz.”

Ninkasi Brewing (Eugene): This one has managed to slip under the radar a bit: tomorrow (Saturday) is their second annual release party for Critical Hit Barleywine! And they have an update with what to expect: “Don’t miss out on the 2015 round of fun! Join us on Saturday from 12-10 pm for live music, games, limited release bottles, and plenty of our Rare & Delicious Barley Wine. If you want to be really cool (/totally nerdy in the best way possible), throw on your best D&D costume to pair with the beer!” It’s taking place at their Tasting Room on Van Buren Street.

Belmont Station (Portland) has a fundraiser event tomorrow from 2 to 4pm: “Join Ken Fisher of The Grateful Deaf Brewery for a special tapping of a firkin of Cascadian Dark Rye. At 6.2%, this CDA was brewed in collaboration with Ted Sobel at Brewers Union Local 180, in Oakridge, Oregon. This will be a fundraiser to help with the Sign Interpreter’s Travel Expenses to Europe as Ken embarks on his gypsy brewing journey this summer! This lovely beer will be served on a authentic Beer Engine, on Cask!” (No, I really don’t know anything about the “Grateful Deaf Brewery” it’s the first I’ve heard of it.)

Worthy Brewing (Bend): Today’s Firkin Friday special: Eastside Pale Ale with Warrior hops. All pints from the firkin are $3 until it’s gone.

Cascade Brewing‘s Tart Fruit Fest continues through the weekend at the Barrel House; today’s update reads, “Tart Fruit Fest update: some of the on-deck beers for today are Boysenberry, Apple Tart, & Cherry Bourbonic.”

Roscoe’s in Portland is holding their 5th annual Stout Summit this weekend, starting today and running through Sunday. “Roscoe’s will be presenting a phenomenal collection of vintage and unique stouts the 5th Annual Stout Summit. The event kick-off will take place on Friday February 27th at 2:00pm. Great stouts will be pouring all weekend long.” You’ll be able to get taster trays as well as full pours.

Vagabond Brewing (Salem) is celebrating their one year anniversary tomorrow (Saturday)! This might have slipped under the radar if not for the New School. They’re planning a family friendly event, with minors allowed for the duration (noon to 8pm), and including a Velco wall, dunk tank, live music, a “giant beer pinata” and oh yes, special beer releases as well. Make sure to stop by if you’re in the area tomorrow!