Happy Weekend! I hope this Friday (March 25) is finding you well and ready for the end of the week! Here’s the beer news and happenings going on; once again I’m intermittently away from the computer, so while I’ll periodically try to update this post, it will likely be sporadic. If you have news to share, please let me know and I can get that updated as well as time permits.

The 4th annual Portland Farmhouse and Wild Ale Festival is taking place this weekend at Saraveza, featuring all farmhouse and wild-inspired beers in the largest such fest in Oregon and possibly the northwest. “This year the Portland Farmhouse and Wild Ale Festival introduces a new VIP early entrance and an exclusive bottle and draft release called ‘The Croze’ from The Commons Brewery. This years 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.” This has grown into quite an event over the past four years, so it should be on your Portland to-do list if it’s not already.

This weekend is also the 22nd annual Portland Spring Beer & Wine Fest, taking place Friday and Saturday the 25th and 26th at Oregon Convention Center. “Come enjoy Beer, Wine, Spirits, Cheese Chocolate and More!” as well as vendors and exhibits of various types offered up under a variety of ticket entry prices and packages. There’s a nice roundup of breweries pouring beer, not to mention cideries, wineries, distilleries, and even two meaderies.

McMenamins Old St. Francis School (Bend): Their quarterly O’Kanes Garage Series beer tasting is taking place Friday starting at 5pm, featuring brewer Mike “Curly” White brewing “versions of some of the more popular McMenamins beer selections from the last thirty years” with a beer named Pole Ax being on tap this time around: “This Pole Ax is the Old St. Francis School version of a beer first made at McMenamins Thompson Brewery in Salem. It was created in 1997 by Chris Oslin and had every intention of being the bigger, bolder version of Hammerhead. Large malt tones of sweetness chop their way through your tongue, while all of the Cascade Hop additions swing at you with mild floral and citrus backings. It finishes with a warmth and slight hop and roast bitterness. The creator of the original beer Chris Oslin says, ‘Sip slowly or lose your head!'”

Roscoe’s beer bar in Portland this weekend is holding their 7th Annual IPA Summit, featuring a wide selection of IPAs of all substyles: “Get ready Hop-Heads! Roscoe’s 7th Annual IPA Summit is coming up on Friday March 25th beginning at 2PM, with great IPAs on tap all weekend long. You’ll want to be there Friday for the best selection. There will be lots of awesome specialty and limited release IPAs on tap. You won’t want to miss it. Taster trays will be available.”

Bend’s Craft Kitchen and Brewery is having the release party of their Pond Monkey Pale Ale Friday the 25th starting at 6pm: “The Release of our Pond Monkey Pale Ale with free samples and giveaways!!! Need I say more? See you all on Friday.” This 5.5% abv Pale Ale is described as: “A hop forward pale ale balanced with malty and bittersweet notes of caramel and toffee. Resinous Simcoe hops linger through the finish.”

On Saturday the 26th The Bier Stein in Eugene is celebrating Orval Day, celebrating one of the world’s great beers: “If you are a beer connoisseur and have not tried Orval… well, we might raise an eyebrow at your claim of the title. This is perhaps the most unique Trappist ale; it is the only beer the brewery bottles, and is the only Trappist ale that uses the Brettanomyces strain of yeast, which gives the beer a dry, funky complexity that grows with age (some say the beer is best after 5 years, properly stored). We hope you will join us, our Merchant du Vin Imports rep Tom Bowers, and beer bars around the country to raise a glass to one of the most highly regarded and influential beers in the world.” And there will be more Orval Day celebrations on Saturday around Oregon; check here for a list, which includes Belmont Station, and others.

The Growler Guys (Bend): Their original, east side Bend location is holding a meet the brewer and tasting event with Astoria’s Fort George Brewery on Saturday, March 26 from 4 to 7pm: “Fort George Brewery will be stopping by The Growler Guys – Bend Eastside to show off their great beer. Come by for fun games, free swag giveaways, and Growler Guys pizza!”

The Mt. Hood Meadows Spring Brew Fest is taking place Saturday the 26th at, er, Mt. Hood Meadows on their “Paradise Deck” from 12 to 5pm. “Soak in the sun and taste fantastic beers. This event is open to 21 and older with a valid photo ID. Also be automatically entered into a raffle for fun brewery gear and more! Admission $14. Admission Includes: Live Music by Redwood Son, Glass Keepsake Logo Mug, 4 Drink Tickets (4 oz. each). Additional tickets available for purchase for $1 each”