Here’s the news in Oregon beer for Thurdsay, November 21st—one week away from Thanksgiving! As usual, I’ll be periodically updating this post throughout the day with the latest news as I find it, so check back often. If you have news to share, please contact me and I can get that updated as well.

Interested in checking out some cider? Portland’s Bushwacker Cider today is holding a winter showcase of ciders from Washington’s Finnriver Farm & Cidery today from 5 to 9pm: “Finnriver has a more diverse lineup than just about any other cidery and for one night you can indulge in a glorious assortment of beverages for cider and fruit lovers as well as take bottles and chocolates home for yourself or as gifts. Finnriver’s lovely Jana Daisy-Ensign will be at Bushwhacker and able to answer any question about Finnriver’s extroardinary lineup while offering free samples from the bottles of their rare Artisan champagne style cider, port-style apple wine and apple brandy fruit wines. Meanwhile at the bar, Bushwhacker will have all 8 taps taken over by their ciders. These include the popular sparkling ciders from their regular lineup, limited releases and seasonal releases from their botanically infused line.” This sounds like a great time and one I’d definitely like to check out (if only I were in Portland!)—don’t miss it if you can.

Golden Valley Brewery (McMinnville): Today is the release of their new Subduction Zone CDA, with release parties I believe at both the McMinnville and Beaverton locations. Subduction Zone is 6.6% abv and 66 IBUs, and describe as: “Cascadia is a region blessed with verdant hills and valleys, yet beneath the surface lurks a sea of molten rock, waiting for its next opportunity to burst forth and blacken the landscape.   Similarly, our Cascadian Dark Ale is topped with a bright, lush hop aroma, reminiscent of citrus and pine, while below lies a dark, roasty body issuing forth notes of coffee, chocolate, and toast.  Apollo, Bravo, and Columbus hops meet roasted barley, wheat, and chocolate malt.  In the middle, it’s the Subduction Zone.” For the release, the beer will be tapped at 3pm (I think at both locations) and there will be $2 pints until the first keg blows.

McMenamins Kennedy School (Portland) has a special beer release tonight in their Boiler Room Bar starting at 5pm featuring Double Helix DIPA (Double IPA). No specific details on the beer but there will be food specials to go along with it, a Bratwurst and Weinkraut plate and Mai Thai Fries.

Belmont Station (Portland) has a tasting and meet the brewer tonight with Washington’s Fish Brewing from 5 to 8pm: “Meet Fish head brewer Paul Pearson in the bier cafe and learn more about Fish’s new non-organic lineup. We will be pouring Monkfish Belgian-Style Sour aged on whiskey barrels, the new Ice Breaker Winter Ale and Starfish India Red Ale in the bier cafe. We also be tasting some of the bottled Fish beers in the bottle shop: Fish’s new pale ale, Beyond the Pale, the new winter seasonal, Ice Breaker, and 10 Squared Highly Hopped Barley Wine plus Leavenworth’s Hodgson’s  IPA and Spire Mountain Dark & Dry Cider.”

BridgePort Brewing (Portland) is hosting a benefit for Brewpublic’s Angelo De Ieso tonight, from 5 to 10pm, and I encourage everyone in Portland to turn out and support Angelo. “Join us this Thursday, November 21 to Drink for De Ieso! Our buddy and resident beer blogger, Angelo De Ieso of BREWPUBLIC needs our help with his mounting hospital bills and what better way to help then to tip back a cold one! All proceeds from sales of our new IRI beer will go straight to De Ieso along with 20% of food purchases made by customers that mention Angelo that night.”

Barley Brown’s (Baker City) (aka Baker City Brewing) is holding a Red Solo Cup party tonight, which sounds like a good time: “Come drink delicious beer at a special price and or every cup you buy Barley’s will donate $3 to Baker County CASA. You can enjoy some live music by Add Collard and his band starting 7:30 on the big stage at the Taphouse. Party on folks!”

Santiam Brewing (Salem) is getting set to release their new “Twig and Berries” this Saturday the 23rd: “This glowing beauty is and an 8.3% ABV 25 IBU Belgian style Farmhouse Ale aged in Rogue gin barrels. As always all mid-month releases will be $1 off pints on release day. Available just in time for your Thanksgiving table, this beer is a perfect compliment to Turkey and Cranberry.”

Fort George Brewery (Astoria): Looking for session beer? Fort George has you covered: “Cool and crisp in Astoria today, much like the Beta IPA 4.0 releasing at 5pm in the Fort George pub. This Beta is a session-style at 3.9% ABV.”

Pelican Pub & Brewery (Pacific City): Up until now Pelican has only bottled their beers in 22-ounce bombers (and 750-ml champagne bottles for special releases), or on draft. Not just bombers anymore—a press release issued today announces that Pelican’s Kiwanda Cream Ale (one of their best and most popular) and Silverspot IPA will be available in 12-ounce bottles in six packs, starting mid-November. Since it’s now slightly later than “mid” November, I would expect to see these on the shelves soon (if not already).