There’s a bit more chill in the air and (at least here in Central Oregon) snow might be on the horizon—happy Monday! We’ve got a number of festive events taking place this week, so let’s get right into the Oregon beer news for this Monday the 9th and onward. 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.

Three Creeks Brewing (Sisters): Their release rollout of the collaboration beers they brewed with Idaho’s Payette Brewing continues today, with a tasting event at Bend’s Broken Top Bottle Shop from 5 to 8pm. “Together, our brewers crafted two spectacular limited release, specialty brews that capture the uniqueness of our States. The “Juniper Rising”, a Rye Saison brewed with real Oregon Juniper berries was brewed here at the TCBC Brewpub and the “Yam! It feels Good to be a Thankster”, a Sweet Potato Brown featuring muscovado sugar, marshmallows and yams was brewed at Payette Brewing in Boise.”

Belmont Station (Portland): Today they are hosting a tasting and “Very Special Firkin” with San Diego’s Ballast Point Brewing: “We will host a tasting of a wide variety of Ballast Point beers, including this year’s releases of Victory at Sea and Piper Down, plus we will have a very special firkin that we will be tapping: uber fresh, cask-conditioned Sculpin conditioned in the firkin with blood oranges!” It runs from 5 to 7pm. And man, I’d love to taste some of that firkin Sculpin!

This weekend, the 4th annual McKenzie Cider and Craft Beer Festival is taking place at the Willamalane Center in Springfield, Friday the 13th from 5 to 11pm and Saturday the 14th from noon to 11pm. (Facebook event page here.) “Enjoy fine cider craft beer from over 75 breweries at this 4th annual event that includes live entertainment, TVs for sports viewing, food, and family time between 12noon – 5 p.m. on Saturday. This year, beneficiaries include Bags of Love, the Willamalane Foundation, and other local Rotary projects.” Cost is $15 which you can pay at the door or online here. This is one to make sure to visit if you’re in the Eugene/Springfield area this weekend!

McMenamins‘ 3rd Annual Boone’s Ferry Autumn Ale Fest is taking place at their Old Church Pub in Wilsonville this Saturday the 14th, all day long starting at 11am: “We’re back with more than a dozen big, hearty beers that are perfect for the season. Vote for your favorites; Boone’s Best (a.k.a. the oar winner) will be decided by those at the fest! We’ll have McMenamins beers and beers brought to us by McMenamins’ alumni brewers from the breweries they now call home. Some of these brewers will be on hand to chat during the fest.” They have a stellar lineup of beers and guest breweries, and pricing/ticketing is handled in a way that I like: via punchcards, so no more tickets or tokens to fumble around with. Individual four ounce tastes are $1.50, and you can buy a 12-taste punchcard for $16 (plus don’t forget you’ll need to buy the glass as well).

Deschutes Brewery (Bend): They have a couple of big ones this week. First up, the special release of The Dissident is imminent—taking place this Thursday the 12th, all day at both pubs: “An Oud Bruin, a distinctive Flanders-style sour brown ale, with a heavenly aroma and flavors returns. We will have a tasting bar open all day, snifters available with paired culinary specials, plus EXTREMELY limited availability of waxed-dipped 22oz bottles. Come visit us and try this elusive sour that continues to break hearts year after year.” At the Portland Pub they will also be offering vintage flights of the 2010, 2012, 2014 and 2015 editions available for $16. (It’s possible these will be in Bend as well, though it was not mentioned on the event page.)

And then on Friday the 13th, Deschutes’ annual over-the-top Chocolate Beer Dinner is taking place at their Mountain Room in Bend. “Join us Friday, November 13th, in the Mountain Room for a five course, Chocolate Beer Dinner. Enjoy a decadent night and delicious chocolate dishes while sipping on some of our finest barrel-aged beers including Not the Stoic, Trees of Doom Dunkel (rye whiskey barrel-aged), Mirror Mirror, Black Butte XXVII & Black Butte XXIV.” The course menu is mouth-watering and it’ll cost $65 to attend (register directly on the event page). This is one not to miss if you can help it!