Today is National Cookie Day! And perfect for the season—pair some Christmas cookies with a Winter Warmer or perhaps a milk stout tonight. Or settle in with cookies and beer while you review the Oregon beer news for this Monday, December 4. 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 let me know and I can get that updated as well.

Little Beast Brewing (Portland) is teaming up with Little Bird Bistro in Portland for a beer dinner that takes place tonight from 5:30 to 8:30pm: “Hop Smoked Scallop w/ Purple Cauliflower Purée paired w/ Bes Tart Wheat sounds incredible! Come eat a four course meal paired with our beers at Little Bird Bistro. Two time slots available at 5:30 and 8:30. Charles will be there to talk about the beers and enjoy your company. Tickets available on Eventbrite only.”

Imperial Bottle Shop in Portland is holding a winter clothing drive for New Avenues for Youth this week, running today (Monday) through Friday the 8th. “For homeless youth, the holidays and winter can be difficult times. In an effort to share in the magic of the holiday season with those less fortunate than us, Imperial has partnered with 8 local breweries to coordinate a week-long clothing drive that benefits New Avenues for Youth. Throughout the week of Dec 4 – Dec 8, if you donate an article of cold-weather clothing from 5-8PM, in return you will get to choose between receiving either an article of new brewery apparel or a $1 pint from either of that night’s 2 feature breweries.” Tonight’s featured beers are from Ancestry Brewing and Oakshire Brewing.

Belmont Station is hosting Firestone Walker’s 21st anniversary release tonight from 5 to 8pm: “We are honored to help Firestone Walker turn 21! Join us for a flight of previous and current Anniversary ales: 16, 17, 20 & 21. Plus we will have 21 (XXI) for sale in bottles — along with some special Firestone Walker beers from our cellar!”

The 5th annual Central Oregon Winter Beer Festival is taking place this Saturday, December 9! Bend’s GoodLife Brewing is hosting the event, which takes place from 2 to 9pm and features the majority of the region’s breweries and cider makers. “COWBF is a showcase for seasonal and specialty beers brewed in celebration of the holiday season. Admission to COWBF will be $15.00 and attendees will receive a commemorative COWBF glass, as well as 5 drink tickets. Each additional ticket will cost $1.00. The festival will be in a heated tent, and there will be food carts available on-site!”

Portland’s Occidental Brewing has their annual Humbug Lager Fest returning this weekend as well, running both Saturday and Sunday the 9th and 10th. “It’s time to celebrate cold weather and lager beers, Occidental Brewing style. Our yearly Humbug Lager Fest will be stocked with lagers from Occidental and other great breweries from Portland and beyond. There will be a wide range of beers, light to dark, easy drinking to strong and bold. This year we have so many great breweries participating we had to make Humbug Lager Fest TWO DAYS. The event will take place indoors in our taproom and adjoining spaces which will be decorated with a tree and plenty of festive lights! Christmas classics will be playing and there will even be a photobooth so you can get plenty of pictures in those ugly sweaters. Admission: $10 gets you a logo taster glass along with six tokens for samples. Samples are 4oz each.”

Pelican Brewing (Pacific City): Today they are hosting a Dine Out fundraiser for Foster Youth at both their Tillamook and Pacific City pubs: “Dine out at Pelican Brewing Company in either the Tillamook or Pacific City locations for Dinner. 20% of the profits will benefit the Tillamook County Foster Youth. Bring a copy of your eventbrite ticket to make sure your meal counts for donation!”

The City of Madras wants a brewery—and they have put together a package of recruitment materials and incentives for anyone interested in opening a brewery or brewpub there. I’ll have a full blog post on this later (especially since this is in my Central Oregon backyard), but here’s a snip from the press release: “The incentive package and overall business opportunity is presented online at www.brewitmadras.com and on the City’s website at www.ci.madras.or.us. A PDF brochure is also available and can be requested by contacting City of Madras Community Development Director, Nick Snead. MRC is offering aid to a developer, owner, or operator as an incentive to open a brewery or brew pub in Madras. Per the recruitment materials, such assistance from MRC may be used in any one of the forms listed below [items such as Engineering Costs and Permit Fees], provided the location chosen is inside the Madras URD. Assistance is subject to approval by MRC.”

McMenamins is looking to rename their seasonal Sleepy Hollow Nut Brown and is soliciting votes on Facebook: “Our beloved seasonal Nut Brown is getting renovated & we need your help! This wintery brew’s new name will be one of the three below. Comment with your top pick by this Wednesday, December 6 & stay tuned for the results! Snowbound Nut Brown, Winter Hollow Nut Brown, or Bear’s Cave Nut Brown”