Welcome to Monday and a new week! Here’s the Oregon beer news for the new week starting today the 11th. 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.

Deschutes Brewery (Bend): This Thursday, November 14, is the official release date for the 2013 edition of The Abyss with celebrations taking place at the Bend Pub and Portland Pub: “Grab a bottle, a snifter, or a vertical flight with previous year’s versions at our Bend and Portland Pubs beginning at 11am on Thursday, November 14th. We’ll also have a special food menu that will pair perfectly with this dark, delicious beer!” You won’t want to miss the chance to try the vertical Abyss flight that day; if they do the same as in past years, you’ll be treated to 2013, 2012. 2011, 2010, and 2009 (five tasters) plus a chocolate truffle. Be there!

McMenamins Crystal Ballroom (Portland) has a limited-edition beer tasting accompanying their Great Northwest Music Tour show tonight, featuring Wee Heavy: “This strong Scotch ale is a malt lover’s dream. It was made as traditional as possible using all European base malts and fermented at a cooler temperature. Doing this discourages the production of unwanted esters while encourages the sweetness you look for in a strong Scotch ale. Hints of smoked and peated malt were added to bring out the robust character of this ale. It is dark burnt orange in color with an off-white lacey head and has a bready caramel nose with hints of smoke, dark fruit and a chewy sweetness on the palate.” The tasting starts at 7pm and in addition to beer samples, there will be free appetizers and an interview with the band live onstage.

Swing Tree Brewing (Ashland): This Thursday the 14th is Swing Tree’s official opening date! Among their current plans for the new Taphouse will be to be open from 3 to 8pm Thursday through Sunday, they will maintain as many of their own taps as they have capacity to brew for and offer up a number of guest taps primarily from other Southern Oregon breweries, and unfortunately won’t be offering food at first which also means no minors: “While it is still on the forefront of our plans, we will not immediately be offering food at the Taphouse. We do not however, want hungry people, so please feel free to bring in your own food. We will also have a few delivery menus on hand and will be working with Food-to-You delivery service to make sure you are properly nourished while enjoying Swing Tree libations.” Still opening this week is pretty exciting! Be sure to swing by and check them out if you’re in the area.

Coalition Brewing (Portland) is readying a beer release for this Saturday I think people should watch for: “Bring Out the Imp! The imperial stout, that is…come check out our brand new offering, an 8.5% delicious imperial stout, to be released this coming Saturday!”

Beers Made by Walking is coming to Eugene’s Sixteen Tons beer bar this Thursday the 14th: these are beers inspired by various indigenous plants found while hiking around Oregon. A number of breweries brewed a beer using these various plants and if you missed out the Beers Made by Walking night at Belmont Station in Portland recently, this is another chance to try them out. The event runs from 5 to 9pm.