It’s Good Friday and we’re going into the Easter weekend—do you have your beers picked out? Might I suggest Trappist ales? Here’s the Easter weekend Oregon beer news; as usual, I’ll be periodically updating this post throughout the day, so check back occasionally. And if you have news to share, please let me know and I can get that updated too.

The Portland Spring Beer and Wine Fest returns this weekend, running Friday and Saturday the 14th and 15th at the Oregon Convention Center. Tickets cost $10-25, depending on the package, and the fest runs from noon to 10pm on both days. It’s the 23rd annual iteration of this fest, one of the longer-running festivals, and features a number of breweries and wineries as well as cider and mead makers.

Friday 4/14

McMenamins 23rd Avenue Bottle Shop (Portland) is hosting a can release party for Ordnance Brewing from 6 to 8pm: “Ordnance Brewing is releasing cans of their EOD IPA and Bloops Blueberry Wheat into the wilds of Oregon. Come grab an Ordnance can for here, or six to go.” Those are the Ordnance flagships so check them out if you haven’t yet.

The Bier Stein (Eugene) is hosting a Samuel Smiths Salute from 5 to 8pm on Friday: “Lift your pints high in tribute to one of the original imported beers that inspired a new generation of beer makers! Savor the flavors of beer fermented in giant stone vats alongside modern renditions of the classic English examples from local breweries. Tom from importer Merchant du Vin will be here to celebrate and toast along with reps and brewers. The first 18 people to purchase a bottle of Samuel Smith’s will get a sweet pint glass to take home!”

Belmont Station‘s 20th anniversary continues this weekend with their Bigger Badder Blacker event continuing through the weekend, with:

• Friday is Deschutes Night starting at 4pm: “What better way to kick off a weekend than with a deep vertical lineup of Deschutes’ Black Butte anniversary beers, XXV, XXVI, XXVII, and XXVIII to be exact! And since Deschutes does Bigger Badder Blacker better than Chris Rock, we are throwing Scotch Barrel Abyss and Brandy Barrel Abyss on draft as well.”
• Saturday features a variety of black beers from Ninkasi, Fort George, Firestone Walker, and more.
• Sunday kicks the keg(s) with a scavenger hunt: “We wrap up our Bigger Badder Blacker 20th Anniversary Edition with a chance to taste some of the beers you missed! Come help us blow some of these kegs and, while you’re at it, join our Scavenger Hunt! Pick up the game rules and the list of what you need to find in and around Belmont Station — the bottle shop, the bar, the back patio and maybe even outside the building. After you’ve “collected” each item, show your completed form to one of our staff members for a special Belmont Station prize, while supplies last! It’s way more fun than Easter egg hunting!”

Saturday 4/15

Solera Brewery (Parkdale) is celebrating their 5th anniversary on Saturday! “Solera Brewery is turning 5, and we want to party with you all! Thank you all for the support, we could not be here without you. Come celebrate our special day with us, SAT APRIL 15th, 2017. We will have special beer tastings throughout the day; a list of the rotating taps will be released closer to the event. For the first time, we will be doing a special bottle release. These will be limited so be sure to get yours early. Special guest bartenders will be making appearances throughout the day. Come say hello to your old favorites!” Congrats on five years!

McMenamins 23rd Avenue Bottle Shop will be hosting Portland Cider Company on Saturday for a cider tasting from 2 to 4pm. “This local producer is coming by to pour samples of their latest and greatest ciders. About Portland Cider: Our business is based on the belief that good cider comes from good fruit, honest practices, and attention to detail. Our cider starts with fresh pressed juice from 100% Northwest grown apples. We then carefully ferment it, using yeast that protects the delicate characteristics of the fruit. The results are ciders that are high quality – easy to drink, refreshing, and downright delicious. That’s why we say, Drink it, it’s Good! We don’t use artificial flavorings and colorings, or add any sulfites to our natural cider. Because it’s made from 100% apples or other fruits, Portland Cider products are always gluten free.”

Sunday 4/16 – Easter!

Crux Fermentation Project (Bend) is hosting an Easter Brunch and Egg Hunt starting when they open at 11:30am until 4pm: “We’ll be hosting an Easter Egg Hunt for the kiddos at 11:30am – 500 eggs will be filled with fun surprises. You just need to make sure to bring your own basket, and your kid(s)!”

Bazi Bierbrasserie (Portland) is having a Pink Elephant Egg Hunt as well: “Every year, hundreds of women submit their application with only 15 being selected to brew. For the first time ever, Huyghe Brewery expanded its invitation outside of the European nations and two women from the United States were selected, Hilda, Bazi ’s proprietor being one of them. Deliria has travelled thousands of miles and is finally available in Oregon. Enjoy a complimentary taste on Sunday, April 16 from 2-8 PM. As it falls on Easter Sunday, Bazi will be hosting an Easter Egg Hunt at 4 PM with lots of Pink Elephant swag.” That sounds awesome!