It’s Friday the 13th—again! If your weekend plans include taking beer to any lakes, avoid ones with “Crystal” in the name (though crystal malts and Crystal hops should be fine). Here’s the news for the 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.

Lompoc Brewing (Portland) has an Irish-themed release today at their Sidebar starting at 4pm, featuring Dagda Pan Gaelic Red Ale: “Kick off St Patrick’s Day early at Lompoc Sidebar on Friday, March 13 from 4pm to close with the release of Lompoc Brewing’s Dagda Pan Gaelic Red Ale. Join the Lompoc brewers for an Irish celebration including corned beef & cabbage, real live Irish music (on the radio) and pints of specialty ales. Dagda features a rich, malty body and underlying hoppiness. The brewers employed a small portion of black malt and a four-hour boil to give Dagda its ruddy red color and sturdy body.”

The Beer Station in Wilsonville tonight is hosting a “Salem Breweries Tap Takeover” featuring 5 of the Capitol’s newer breweries and cideries: Vagabond, Salem Ale Works, Santiam, Gilgamesh, and Wandering Aengus Cider. “We will have 2 brews on tap from each of the Salem breweries/cidery, as well as a rep/brewer from each to hang out and answer questions… and hopefully some swag giveaways as well!” That starts at 5pm, and it would be a great chance to sample a variety of Salem brews in one go.

This weekend is of course the annual Oakshire Brewing Hellshire Day over in Eugene—taking place tomorrow, Saturday the 14th, with Oakshire not only releasing Hellshire V (strong ale aged in barrels of various sorts) but also collecting barrel-aged goodies from all over for a full-blown fest: “Hellshire V, Oakshire’s 5th barrel-aged beer under the Hellshire label, releases on Saturday, 3/14/15. To celebrate the release and the craft of barrel-aging, we’re hosting a 2nd Annual Hellshire Day & Barrel-Aged Beer Fest at our Public House, including offerings from Oakshire’s barrel-aging cellar and dozens of barrel-aged beers from breweries around the country.” Facebook page is here; $25 get you in with the glass and 5 tokens.

And today/tonight is Oakshire’s Hellshire Experience bonus package: “Private reception at the Public House: Check. Bus ride to the brewery for a tour of our Barrel aging program: Check. Wax-dipping your own bottle of Hellshire V and bringing it home a day early: You bet! On top of that, we’ll even bring you back to the Public House and your ticket will get you into Hellshire Day on Saturday…EARLY! All that for only $75.” I don’t know if tickets are still available but if they are, you can find them at the Oakshire Public House.

Double Mountain Brewery (Hood River) is celebrating their 8th anniversary tomorrow (Saturday)! It starts at noon and goes all day: “Over the years we have not only created notable craft beers and artisan pizza, but we have built a solid reputation of knowing how to throw a party. We will hosting a music filled celebration for our eighth anniversary at the taproom on March 14th, 2015. “We’re excited to throw down for another street party celebrating our 8th birthday. Its a perfect excuse to share the love of great beer, a wonderful community of friends and a prelude to St. Patrick’s Day” brewmaster and owner Matt Swihart states.” Adults will pay $5 at the door to get in, which gets you a mug, and kids under 21 are free and allowed until 8pm. There will be plenty of live music and a VIP entry for $25 which gets you special extras including tastings “from the archives.” Tomorrow is a great day for Hood River, so make it over to party with Double Mountain if you can.

Worthy Brewing (Bend): Friday means Firkin Friday at Worthy—a cask firkin keg of something special. “This week is Brewer Zach’s blend of Worthy IPA and East Side Pale with Sorachi Ace hops.” The firkin is tapped at 4pm, and pints from it are only $3 til it blows.

Three Creeks Brewing (Sisters) has a new brew out today, McKays Scottish Ale, and the release party is today starting at 6:30pm at their pub: “Come down to the pub this Friday the 13th for the McKays Scottish Ale release! Brewed in honor of local Don McKay (look for the top hat), an evening filled with bagpipes and fun. Sure to be a kilt lifting good time. Slainte, here’s tae ye!”