Happy Friday the 13th! I’ve gotten a late start on this news post for the day, but I’ll be listing the Oregon beer happenings for today and the weekend. If you have any news to share, please contact me and let me know so I can share it, too.

Puckerfest starts today at Belmont Station! One of Oregon Craft Beer Month’s premier events, it’s a week-long celebration of sour, wild, and funky beer that’s now in its sixth year. “Adventurous beer lovers can look forward to a rotating cast of 10-14 funky beers on tap daily, along with numerous “Meet the Brewer” nights where we bring  our friends from around the region into the Biercafé to share their stories and some extra special beers.” This weekend the lineup looks like:

• Friday the 13th, Oakshire and Flat Tail from 5-8pm: “Oakshire Brewmaster Matt van Wyk and Flat Tail Brewmaster Dave Marliave team up to kick off Puckerfest with some special treats! Matt is bringing his Framboise, Skookumchuck Wild Ale, Lost Keg Wild Ale (which Matt says is a “wild amber, lost and then found”), and Gin Barrel Aged Frederic’s Lost Arm (a saison aged in gin barrels with brettanomyces). Dave is bringing his 1st Anniversary, 2nd Anniversary Flanders Red, Vallee’ Blanche sour wit, and Tamil black session sour fruit/wheat.”
• Saturday the 14, Gueuze Drafts and Cantillon Bottles from noon to 11pm: “We’ll tap kegs of Cantillon Gueuze, Tilquin Gueuze, and St. Louis Gueuze. We’ll also have flights of Cantillon Geueze, Kriek, and Rose poured from a very limited number of bottles!”
• Sunday the 15th, Block 15 from 2-5pm: “Brewer/Owner Nick Arzner serves up another of his famously amazing lineups! Be here for Golden Canary, 2011 Demons Farm, 2011 Strawberry Fields, Belmont Station 15th Anniversary (a Scotch Ale matured in rare fifteen year old Bourbon casks from Rip Van Winkle Distillery and then blended with select Bourbon barrel Oud Bruins, matured 9 & 24 months), and a special firkin of Golden Canary with Gooseberries.”

Cascade Brewing (Portland): Speaking of sour beers, today at 5pm Cascade is releasing this year’s vintage of their much-vaunted Apricot ale in bottles! “Today at 5 pm we will release the 2011 Apricot in bottles at the Barrel House & the Raccoon Lodge & Brew Pub. Bottles sell for $18. These will go on sale online next week. It was a big production run, so no limit, there is plenty for everyone!” Make sure to get some!

McMenamins John Barleycorns (Tigard) has a limited-edition beer tasting today that’s been going all day and lasts until the beer is gone: Choctaw IRA. “Named in honor of my mighty heritage. This Indian Red Ales deep rich amber color come from caramel and roasted barley. Slightly sweet malt flavors are perfectly matched and balanced with layers of hop bitterness and floral citrus aromas. Raise a pint in honor of all Native Americans.” (Brewer Tim Proctor is apparently of Native American heritage.)

And McMenamins Thompson Brewery and Public House in Salem is also having a limited-edition tasting: OC Imperial IPA. It was brewed just for this event for Oregon Craft Beer Month, and when it’s gone, it’s gone.

Coalition Brewing (Portland): Saturday the 14th is Coalition’s 2-year Anniversary celebration! They’re also celebrating the grand opening of their new beer garden, and from 2 until 10pm there will be live music, special guest beers, special guest beers, much partying, and more! There will also be two special Coalition beers on tap: Irish brown Ale by Coalator Ted Assur, and Pinot Barrel Aged Lost Glove. This will definitely be a good time, be sure to hit them up if you’re in Portland tomorrow.

Lompoc Brewing (Portland): Today is Head Brewer Dave Fleming’s last day with Lompoc, and there’s a going away party (of course!): “After three fun years, Dave Fleming – aka Chowda, Squirrel, Richochet, Flem, Flemdog –  is saying goodbye to Lompoc Brewing. Please join us for a final toast to Dave at Sidebar from 4 to 10 pm. It’s a no host bar, but we’ll have some complimentary snacks. Dave is leaving to sell for Willamette Valley Hops, a family owned and operated hop farm in St. Paul, and are one of the top producers of premium hops in the United States. He’ll be based in Portland, so you’ll still see him around town. We wish him all the best!”