TGIF! Here’s the news in Oregon beer for the first weekend in March, starting with Friday the 4th. 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.

The Lucky Lab‘s yearly Barleywine Festival begins today (Friday) in Portland! This takes place at their Quimby Beer Hall, and it’s the 19th annual iteration, making it one of the oldest around as well as the largest of its kind in Oregon. “Come join us for the big, crazy beers at this year’s Barleywine Festival at the Quimby Beer Hall on Friday and Saturday, March 4th and 5th, noon to 10 p.m. both days. An event glass and four tokens are just $15 and extra tickets are $2 each for a four ounce pour. We have over 50 different beers. We will have about 25 on tap at any one time so you might want to make this a two day event.” The New School has the full beer list posted, which looks fantastic. A Portland event not to miss.

The Bier Stein (Eugene) is hosting Astoria’s Fort George Brewery for a Stout Month follow up all day today (Friday) for a “Satellite of Stout Love” event: “Didn’t make the trek out to Astoria for Fort George’s Festival of the Dark Arts? Well, we can alleviate some of your FOMO with this event! Our taplist will be darkened by the shadow of stout. 9 of the darkest, most luscious brews to flow from Fort George’s pipes will put the tiger in your tank. Prepare yourself for Max Opacity!”

Silver Moon Brewing (Bend): Cans are officially here! They issues a press release announcing the availability of IPA 97, Chapter 2 Casual Ale, and Get Sum Pale Ale out now, and Friday they are holding dual release parties at Bend’s Newport Market and Whole Foods. Monday the 7th they will be in Portland at Belmont Station as well. It’s a great move for the brewery who is on a roll over this past year with a new production facility, some big award wins, and more. Big congrats!

And today (Friday), Belmont Station is having a Winterhawks Tasting Night starting at 7pm: “We are proud sponsors of the Portland Winterhawks Hockey Team, and our final Belmont Station Tasting Night for this season takes place at the Memorial Coliseum during the Winterhawks game! Adults age 21+ who are attending the game are invited to join Belmont Station for a free tasting of several different beers, ciders, wine and even a cinnamon whiskey! Join us as we cheer on the Winterhawks and enjoy some great samples at the same time! Go Hawks!”

Great Notion Brewing (Portland): This Saturday, March 5, is their Grand Beer Release where they will be releasing something like a dozen beers, in a fest-like event taking place all day from when they open at noon. “The wait is over! Our Grand Beer Release will feature our juicy IPAs like Juice Jr. and Juicebox DIPA, and experimental beers such as Double Stack, our NW breakfast stout brewed with coffee and maple syrup, Root Beard, our hard root beer which is more reminiscent of beer with root beer flavor and less like soda (opposite of the commercial hard root beers), Blueberry Muffin and more. We will be hosting the event beer festival style: Tickets will be $10 and include a Great Notion Brewing collector’s glass and 4 beer/drink tickets.”

Redmond’s Juniper Brewing is celebrating their second anniversary this weekend, which I wrote about last night: “WOW!! Two Years already!?!?! My how time flies by when you’re making good beer!! To celebrate and give thanks, we will have pint specials all weekend and some give away drawings. Get a raffle ticket with each pint, need not be present to win.” BIG congrats to Juniper!

Hopworks Urban Brewery (Portland): Sunday the 6th they are holding the release of a collaboration beer starting at 6pm: “On Sunday, March 6, join Hopworks Urban Brewery and Jack Jewsbury for the release of Captain Jack’s Lucky 13 Championship IPA! This limited NW Style IPA is collaboration with Jack, a member of our favorite soccer club and post-match patron of our brewpub. Jack will be at the pub to share a pint with fans after the first soccer match of the season. Meet and greet will take place in the adults-only bar. The beer is a tribute to Portland’s first men’s soccer Championship. “Lucky 13” references Jack’s jersey number and his thirteenth year in the league.”

Tickets are on sale now for the 4th annual Portland Farmhouse and Wild Ale Festival coming up at the end of this month at Saraveza. “This year the Festival introduces a new VIP early entrance and an exclusive bottle and draft release called ‘The Croze’ from The Commons Brewery. This year’s festival will have the largest selection yet of over 60 different beers from more than 25 breweries with outdoor booths featuring Ale Apothecary, Perennial Artisan Ales, The Commons, pFriem Family Brewers and Agrarian Ales. Tickets are on Sale Now and remain an affordable $25 which includes a collectible Glass and 10 drink tickets. Additional tickets are $1 and beers range from 1-4 tickets for a 4oz pour.”

Broken Top Bottle Shop (Bend): Friday they are holding their First Firkin Friday, which offers up a firkin cask and benefits a local charity or organization—this month being the Mt Bachelor National Ski Patrol. “BEER! – The featured beer will be a firkin keg filled with a Brewer’s Blend of Prefunk Pale and Worthy IPA with Citra & Meridian Hops donated by Worthy Brewing. 100% of the proceeds benefit NSP! BAND! – Truck Stop Gravy will be playing American Funk Rock from 6 – 9 pm. No Cover. All Ages.
RAFFLE! – A chance to win:
*a 2016/17 Mt Bachelor Season Pass,
*a 3-Month membership to Athletic Club of Bend, &
*a Sun Country Raft Tours Big Eddie Thriller raft trip for 2!
Drawing at 9 pm. Must be present to win. Tix are $20 each or 3 for $40 & will be on sale from 5 pm – 8:55 pm at BTBS.”