Here’s the Oregon beer news for Tuesday, February 28—nearly the end of the month but being a leap year we get an extra day tomorrow. As usual I’ll be periodically updating this post throughout the day, so please contact me if you have some news to share.

The Lucky Lab (Portland): This weekend, Friday and Saturday March 2nd and 3rd, is the Lucky Lab’s annual Barleywine & Big Beer Fest! Now in its 12th year, this is one of Portland’s (and Oregon’s) premiere “strong ale festival” featuring not only barleywine ales (though there are plenty of those!) but many other strong beers of various styles, all above 8% abv. Here’s a (partial) list of this year’s offerings. The Fest spans the two days from noon to 10pm each day at the Lucky Lab’s NW Quimby location; I don’t know about pricing (or the usual fest commemorative items), but It’s Pub Night has a preview of this year’s beers that’s worth checking out.

The Brew Shop (Bend) has a tasting tonight featuring Firestone Walker from 6 to 8pm. They are looking to have Union Jack IPA, Double Jack Imperial IPA and Pale 31 pouring samples, and all of those will also be on draft.

Below Grade Brewing (Bend): Some of their beer is now in Portland! “Two of Below Grade Brewing’s beers are now available for a limited time in Portland at Cork Wine Shop, located at 2901 NE Alberta Street. Stroll on in for some Validation Imperial IPA and Volksvitzen South German Weissbock 22 oz. bottles.”

Burnside Brewing (Portland): Today is the release of Neptune’s Wrath, Burnside’s first specialty barrel-aged beer in 1.5-liter magnum bottles: a strong ale brewed with oyster liquor and lemon peel, and aged in Pinot Noir barrels, 10.2% abv, and  available when the pub opens today at 3pm for $30 per bottle. If you’re looking to pick up a bottle, don’t wait: there are only 100 available, and I have a feeling they won’t last long.

The Green Dragon (Portland): Tonight they are holding a Meet the Brewer featuring Hawaii’s Maui Brewing and owner/founder Garrett Marrero. “The beer will be on tap at 5pm and introductions will begin at 6pm. Garrett will be bringing with him four of Maui Brewing’s exceptional Ales: Bikini Blonde, Big Swell IPA, Coconut Porter, Mana Wheat.” The Coconut Porter alone should be enough to get people in!

McMenamins Old St. Francis School (Bend): Tomorrow, the 29th, the OSF is having a limited-edition beer tasting—Curly’s Firkin—featuring “Midnight Cry Cascadia Dark Ale”: “A firkin filled with bold, full-bodied black ale showcasing the flavor of roast malt. Yet unlike dark stouts this ale has flavor and nose of citrus as well as bittering finish from the plethora of hops. A great beer for cold evenings. This CDA’s midnight-like hue will make you think you are drinking stout, but the smoothness of the hop flavor will bring cries of joy to your taste buds.” This 6.58% abv ale will be tapped at 5pm and when it’s gone, it’s gone.

Silver Moon Brewing (Bend): This week’s Growler Power Hour special features Hound’s Tooth Amber and Shakedown Brown Ale. Today and tomorrow, stop in at Silver Moon between 4 and 6pm to fill a growler with either (or both) of these beers for only $5.

Cascade Brewing (Portland): Tonight’s Tap It Tuesday is featuring Live “L’agent orange”: “a Blender’s Reserve spiced blond quad that was aged in Makers Mark barrels for 16 months then spiced with orange peel and honey. Orange zest and herbal honey notes present themselves in the nose. Bright, tart orange peel, huge sweet malts and spices of cinnamon and coriander on the palate give way to a crisp orange finish that lingers.” It’s 10.78% abv and costs $6.50 a glass; it will be tapped at 6pm.