TGIF! Here’s hoping you’re having a good Friday with beer as the light at the end of the tunnel! Here’s the Oregon beer news to kick off the weekend. As usual, I’ll be periodically updating this post throughout the day with the latest information as I find it, so check back often for updates. If you have news to share, please contact me and I can get that updated as well.

McMenamins Thompson Brewery (Salem) is the original brewery that first brewed McMenamins’ Halloween seasonal Black Widow Porter (back in 1991!), and accordingly this weekend they are holding a pre-release tasting of this year’s Black Widow. Of course that’s not all: “To celebrate the release of the 2012 Black Widow, brewer Jennifer Kent will present guests with a special taster tray of Black Widow Porter and 5 other seasonal beers for $7.50.” Six beers for $7.50 is a good deal! The other five featured beers are Black Widower, Sleepy Hollow Nut Brown, Lil’ Monster Pumpkin Ale, Pirate Pole-Ax, and Thundercone Fresh Hop. Make this a must-stop if you’re in Salem this weekend.

Below Grade Brewing (Bend), Bend’s second-smallest brewery, has a brand-new beer hitting shelves today (hot off the presses of Facebook!): “Announcing our newest microbrew offering: Identity Crisis Farmhouse Sour IPA is being tasted at Newport Market today, Friday, October 12, from 3-5 pm. Join us to try this latest entry into the Below Grade Brewing line-up. Identity Crisis is a blend of naturally soured Validation Imperial IPA and Nevermind White IPA. The beer went through a regular primary fermentation, then an extended dry-hopped open fermentation; the result is a crisp, slightly sour brew with notes of grapefruit and pineapple.”

Solera Brewery (Parkdale) is having a Portland release tonight at Saraveza for their Kwazy Wabbit and Pêche Bier beers, and brewer Jason Kahler will be on hand to talk about the beer as well. Kwazy Wabbit is their fresh hop beer and I’ve been hearing good things about the Pêche as well. The release is taking place from 6 to 9pm tonight.