Happy Monday! I hope your Thanksgiving holiday was excellent and you are ready to tackle the week. Here’s the news in Oregon’s beer scene for this November 27; 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 too.

Portland’s 22nd annual Holiday Ale Festival starts this Wednesday, November 29! It takes place downtown in Pioneer Courthouse Square and runs through Sunday, December 3. “The Northwest’s only outdoor winter beer festival – which is tented and heated – will feature 55 craft beers, ciders and meads in the main lineup, all of which are made or blended specifically for the event. Event hours are 11am to 9:30pm Wednesday through Saturday, and 11am to 5pm Sunday. In addition, the festival will also feature a number of Meet the Brewer events, dozens of specialty and rare beer tappings, cheese and beer pairings, and food vendors. The Holiday Ale Festival is regarded as presenting one of best lineups of winter beers and ciders anywhere in the nation. The event is for ages 21 and over.” [Ed. – It’s not the only outdoor fest these days.] Cost is $35 which is good for re-entry all five days of the fest, and you can find all of the beers on the program PDF here.

Lompoc Brewing (Portland) is hosting their annual Holiday Beer Extravaganza release of all seven of their holiday beers today at their Sidebar starting at 4pm: “We’ll be releasing six holiday beers, including some old favorites and some new styles, plus our Holiday Ale Festival beer will be previewed. C-Sons Greetings will be the only holiday beer being bottled this year. All beers will go on tap at all other Lompoc pubs on Nov. 28.” The new beer is Top Shelf, Old Sport: “This year’s entry in to the Holiday Ale Festival, this rich, malty Belgian style Dubbel was aged in Maryhill Winery Cabernet Sauvignon barrels for eight months. Dark brown in color, it features strong notes of caramel, raisins, prunes, dates and oak.”

According to Jay Brooks’ calendar, today is the anniversary of the opening of Hair of the Dog Brewing! HotD is one of Portland’s most beloved breweries, opened in 1993 (making them 24 today), and brews a range of unusual and creative beers. Raise a glass to toast Hair of the Dog today! Might I suggest this year’s edition of Doggie Claws Barleywine?

Ancestry Brewing (Tualatin) announced the promotion of a new head brewer, Brian Engdahl, who assumed the role in September. From the press release: “A graduate of Oregon State University’s Fermentation Science Program, Engdahl worked as a shift brewer at Widmer for two years before moving to Ancestry. “I am extremely excited to help Ancestry continue to make great beer and to add to the wide array of beers we already produce,” he said. “Our brewery is set up so that we can constantly innovate, which I have always had a passion for.” Engdahl, who prefers dark and balanced beers, hopes to expand Ancestry’s popular line of “pub culture” beers—low abv and low IBU but full character—while improving on the wide reputation for clean, late-hopped IPAs.” Congrats to Engdahl!

Portland Cider Company announced the second annual release of their Oregon Wild Cider, their community, charitable cider, which returns during their Wassail Holiday Party this Friday the 1st. From the press release: “Named for the non-profit it benefits, Oregon Wild Cider is the result of nearly three months of apple collecting from the backyards of Portland neighbors as part of Portland Cider Co.’s annual PDX Apple Recycling program. One hundred percent of net proceeds from the sales of the cider will be donated to Oregon Wild, a 501(c)3 non-profit organization with a mission to protect Oregon’s wildlands, wildlife and waters for future generations. Oregon Wild will be available exclusively on tap in draft kegs, served at both Portland Cider Co. taprooms (Clackamas Pub & Portland Cider House on Hawthorne), as well as a handful of select retailers in the Portland Metro area. Oregon Wild will be on tap throughout the months of December and January at The Civic Taproom & Bottleshop, a fellow Oregon Brewshed Alliance member.”

1188 Brewing (John Day) will be closed starting on the weekend for several days, for expansion: “Almost ready! We will be CLOSED Dec 2 – 6 to finish up the details on our long awaited expansion. We will open for business again on December 7 and would love to see all of you come in and check out the updated digs.”

Mia & Pia’s Brewery (Klamath Falls) has their winter seasonal on tap now: “Yuuuummmm, the 2017 Batch of Winter Ale is here! Dark amber with a rich flavor and spicy notes from the unique combination of hops used in the dry hopping stage! 6.7% abv”