TGIF and happy Friday! Here’s the news in Oregon beer for August 17th and going into the weekend; as usual I’ll be updating this post periodically throughout the day, so check back often for the latest news. If you have news to share, please let me know and I can get it updated as well.

Portland U-Brew & Pub (Portland) is holding their 2nd annual Westmoreland/Sellwood Brewfest today and tomorrow (the 17th and 18th) at their location, from noon until closing: “We will have kegs from 6 local neighborhood breweries on tap outside under a tent, and some of our own special aged/rare beers on tap inside at the bar as well. Our neighbors at San Felipe will be grilling outside, and there will be live music both days. Admission is $5, and tickets for 4oz. tasters are only $1 each. As always here at Portland U-Brew minors are allowed throughout the building until 9pm.”  This sounds a great low-key Brewfest that I’d love to attend if I were in Portland. Guest taps are Burnside Brewing, Coalition Brewing, Gigantic Brewing, Philadelphia’s, The Commons Brewery, and Upright Brewing.

It’s definitely a Brewfest kind of weekend! In addition to the Bend Brewfest which continues today and tomorrow (see further write-up here), tomorrow, Saturday the 18th is the 17th annual Lighthouse Brewfest over in Lincoln City at McMenamins Lighthouse Brewpub! From 11 until “late,” you can enjoy beers from 20 McMenamins breweries; “each McMenamins brewery creates its own distinct craft beer style while the Lighthouse serves up food and drink specials and brewery tours all day long.” The styles each brewer brings was drawn from a hat weeks ago, which gives a nice variation to the fest and gives them something to play with when concocting the beers. Plus you’re on the coast! How could it not be fun?

The Commons Brewery (Portland): Today they are releasing the latest bottle in their Beetje Series, Eidolon: “Eidolon is a collaboration between our brewer, Sean Burke, and friend/brewer Sean White, who now brews for Jackie O’s in Athens, Ohio. A sour, barrel aged amber farmhouse brewed with meyer lemon peel, jasmine green tea, jasmine flowers and New Zealand Hallertau hops, Eidolon was allowed to mature with two strains of brettanomyces in red wine barrels, then blended back together and conditioned in 750ml capped bottles. Available only in the bottle for $12 each or $135 for a case.”  The release kicks off at 5pm, and I don’t know how long the bottles will last.

Seven Brides (Silverton) has a new beer coming up that sounds like it could be pretty great: Vanilla Cream Ale. “Very light malted barley coupled with a light addition of noble hops to create the most drinkable ale for summer. Three kinds of vanilla steeped in the finished beer to give the drinker a pleasant refreshing taste. Enjoy summer with a pint of Vanilla Cream ale!” I’d love to see some of that reach Bend…

McMenamins Old St. Francis School (Bend) has a special beer on right now that I might just have to check out. From Facebook: “Also for the festive weekend I have put out a spiced porter. This has Mexican vanilla and fresh cinnamon stick infused into the porter. This is called ‘Black Scratch Spiced Porter’ and is pouring in the Main Pub ONLY.”  I’ve infused (homebrew) stout with these types of spices before and the results can be really good. Hopefully I’ll get to try some of this before it’s gone!