I don’t know about everyone else but I’m really glad it’s Friday—I’ve been slammed all week and the beer cannot flow too soon! Here’s the news in Oregon beer for Friday the 11th of October (and the weekend). As usual, I’ll be periodically updating this post throughout the day with the latest news as I find it, so check back often. And if you have news to share, please contact me and I can get that posted as well.

Old 99 Brewing (Roseburg) is holding their grand opening tomorrow, Saturday the 12th, from noon to 8pm offering up craft beer, live music, and a pig roast—a great chance to check out one of southern Oregon’s newest breweries! They posted some additional details this morning as well: “Parking will be available at the National Guard Armory (shuttle van running every five minutes). Signs will be posted. There will be a complimentary pig roast around 4:00 while supplies last. We will have three of our beers and Abacela wine available for purchase. The Duck game will be on from 1:00-4:00 and live music from 6-8 inside the brewery.” Check them out!

Growler Phil’s, one of the many growler fill stations here in Bend, is holding their own Fresh Hop Fest tomorrow (Saturday) in their parking lot from 3 to 6pm: “Join us with 10 breweries from around Oregon in our parking lot and sip on some of the best fresh hop beer around! Primal Cuts will be on the BBQ!” Among the breweries attending are ATLAS Cider Company, Hop Valley Brewing, Seven Brides Brewing, Silver Moon Brewing, Base Camp Brewing, and Fort George Brewery.

The Platypus Pub (Bend) is holding their 2nd anniversary celebration this weekend—today and tomorrow—featuring special pricing on beers and food ($1 off draft beers and appetizers), a new menu by their new head chef Robert Stoner, and they’ll have Fresh Hop, Pumpkin and Oktoberfest beers on tap for the occasion.

McMenamins Thompson Brewery (Salem) is holding their Widow’s Weekend for the release of their Black Widow Porter, and featuring a special taster flight with: Black Widow, Black Widower, Lil’ Monster Pumpkin Ale (on the nitro tap), Sleepy Hollow Nut Brown Aged (with Hogshead-Whiskey-soaked oak widgets), Thundercone, Death Star Barley Wine (from Cornellius Pass). Black Widow Porter originated from the Thompson Brewery way back in 1991.