Here is the news in Oregon beer for this Wednesday, November 28 (the final Wednesday of the month already!). As always I will be 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 feel free to contact me any time.

The 23rd Annual Holiday Ale Festival begins today! Taking over Portland’s Pioneer Courthouse Square, the HAF runs today through Sunday, December 2. More than 50 specially-crafted winter and holiday themed beers will be on tap, many of which were brewed just for this event; and don’t forget the limited release beers which will go on tap at various times throughout the event. For instance, today at 11am, the first limited beer will be Moore Holiday Ale 2017, an aged imperial Bohemian pilsner from the Widmer/Collaborator project; and starting at 4pm, a slew of pFriem specialties will be tapped. Advance tickets are $40, and as long as you have your wristband and glass for the rest of the time, it’s subsequently free entry all weekend long afterward. Don’t miss out—this is one of Oregon’s premier beer festivals!

The Platypus Pub (Bend) is hosting a Ciders of Spain tasting this evening from 5 to 7pm: “Brand new on the market in Bend, Oregon, Ciders of Spain just got picked up by a local distro & a very knowledgeable rep will be in house tasting out samples & answering questions about these amazing Ciders. Please join us downstairs 5 to 7 for samples. Don’t assume that the Great PNW has the best ciders. Come try some old world bubbles.”

Sunriver Brewing kicks off a week-long pop-up pub tap takeover at Lardo West in Portland today: “Sunriver Brewing Company is partnering with Lardo restaurant in downtown Portland and doing a Pop Up Pub for an entire week! We will be taking over all of there tap lines for the week. They will continue to serve Lardo’s amazing regular menu items as well as some groovy specials with our beer!” It’s a great chance for Portlanders to check out and sample some beers they might not usually see, with a nice lineup. After you’ve hit HAF (or before), swing by and enjoy some Sunriver brews.

ColdFire Brewing (Eugene) is hosting a fundraiser for CASA of Lane County today starting at 4pm: “The giving continues this Wednesday at ColdFire! We partnered with Sweet Life Patisserie to raise money for CASA of Lane County (Court Appointed Special Advocates for Children). We’ll be donating $1 from each pint sold between open and close (4 and 9 p.m.), along with all of the proceeds from a selection of scrumptious Sweet Life bars and brownies ($4 each). Come on out and help us support a good cause!”

Bailey’s Taproom (Portland): The Upper Lip is hosting Dark Days 3: Rise of the Pastry Stout starting today and running through Saturday the 1st: “Join us during Holiday Ale Fest for our 3rd annual celebration of Imperial Stouts! With the ever-growing category of “pastry stout” we’ve decided to dedicate each day of Dark Days to a classic adjunct. Look out for beers featuring vanilla, coffee, baking spice, coconut, and more. We look forward to seeing you!” Today, they are featuring coffee with Fremont Dark Star: Coffee, Founders KBS, Lagaunitas High Westified, and Heretic Alternating Current.

Deception Brewing (Dundee) announced a major decision milestone today: “It is with bittersweet thoughts and feelings that Brian and Ben announce the sale of Deception Brewing Company to new ownership. It has been a rewarding ride these past 4 to 5 years serving the community of Dundee and we cherish all of the great people that we have come to know and share in some of this adventure with us. As Brian and Ben slowly transition out of the business, they will be assuring that the same great quality will continue. With new ownership under Marvin and Jane Mandel, the brewery will continue to produce the local favorite beers that you have all come to know and love and the tap room will continue to provide a great atmosphere for the community to gather. Keep following Deception Brewing Company as additional announcements will be made during this transition over the coming months. Cheers!”

Von Ebert Brewing (Portland) has a new beer on tap: “EN ZED IPA is a New Zealand IPA (N. Z. Get it?) with Wakatu and Motu hops. Hop forward with a refreshing finish. 6.5% ABV • 70 IBU”

Plank Town Brewing (Springfield) has a new beer on tap as well: “The Blazing Caber is a complex, malty Scottish wee heavy with hints of dried fruit, caramel and peat smokiness. Come in and try a pint!”