As I noted in my Beer Advent post, today is Saint Nicholas’ Day, one of the days on which St. Nick brings gifts (particularly in Eastern Europe). (See Zoiglhaus below.) It’s a good day to pair your beer news with a Santa-themed beer if you can! As usual, I’ll be periodically updating this post throughout the day with the latest news, so check back often for updates. If you have news to share, please contact me and I can get that updated as well.

Hopworks Urban Brewery (Portland) has the latest in their 13(!) holiday beer releases dropping today, which you’re going to want to check out: “Egg Noggin, Sugar Plum Fairies, That Holiday Cake Dough and Yule Only Live Once! Throughout the month of December we are releasing 13 highly limited beers. On December 6th we’re looking at an Imperial Dessert Beer Tap Takeover.” Egg Noggin is their Noggin Floggin aged in Spanish rum barrels and Heaven Hill bourbon barrels, and spiced with eggnog spices; That Holiday Cake Dough is a fruitcake-inspired dessert beer; and Yule Only Live Once is their 13% abv “Imperial Dessert Beer modeled after Panettone Italian Christmas cake” and brewed with lactose and dried fruits. Wish I was in Portland…

Deschutes Brewery (Bend): The second batch of Black Butte Whiskey is out today, which you’ll be able to buy (neat or on the rocks) at the Bend Pub and the Portland Pub, or if you want a bottle, at the Crater Lake Spirits/Bendistillery tasting room only, all starting at 4pm. Limit of 3 bottles per person at Bendistillery. “This collaboration is an American malt whiskey that is double distilled from the wash of Black Butte Porter and aged in new #4 char American oak barrels. The idea for this project began 20 years ago as a conversation between the founder of Bendistillery, Jim Bendis, and our founder, Gary Fish, and was brought to fruition for the first time last year. When you take a sip, you’ll notice the soft, sweet, whiskey flavor up front with a hint of chocolate and malts from the wash, on the back end.”

Portland’s Zoiglhaus Brewing has the release of their Nikolaus all day today: “Coming Wednesday, 12/6 to the the taproom…Nikolaus! It’s a luxurious winter lager with a strong malty backbone and a crisp hop bitterness to balance the gingerbread spices we added. In Germany they celebrate Saint Nicholas Day on December 6th – on the evening of the 5th the children put out a small boot for Sankt Nikolaus and the good kids get gifts and sweets and the naughty kids get twigs and coal. We’re pretty sure you’ve been good so let us fill up your boot with delicious beer and a gingerbread cookie on the side…Wednesday only, don’t miss it!”

Belmont Station is hosting Perennial Artisan Ales for the release of Abraxas from 5 to 8pm: “Come taste samples of this highly anticipated Imperial Stout brewed with ancho chili peppers, cacao nibs, vanilla beans, and cinnamon sticks — you will definitely want to take some home! Here’s the full lineup of Perennial beers being sampled this night: Abraxas — Imperial Stout with ancho chili peppers, cacao nibs, vanilla beans, and cinnamon sticks; Owen — Table strength saison kettle- and dry-hopped with Mosaic, and package conditioned with Brettanomyces Claussenii; 17 — Imperial Stout with cacao nibs and mint leaves; Funky Wit — Oak-aged Belgian-style wit bier; and Working Title — Belgian-style pale ale conditioned with Brettanomyces Bruxellensis”

McMenamins 23rd Avenue Bottle Shop (Portland) is kicking off Cosmic Tripster Days at the Bottle Shop, which will run through the 12th: “In celebration of the holiday season, we’re offering special discounts to McMenamins biggest fans! By showing their completed Passport/Tripster stamp or their Tripster keychain, Cosmic Tripsters get: 20% off McMenamins apparel and merchandise; 10% off bottles & cans of guest beer, wine and cider; and $3 off each Crowler fill.”

Imperial Bottle Shop in Portland has their winter coat drive continuing today: “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 breweries (cidery) are Deschutes Brewery (PDX) and Reverend Nat’s Hard Cider.

Crazy news about Fat Head’s Brewery in Portland came in last night: the Portland outpost of the Ohio-based company is closing in the first quarter of 2018! From the press release: “Fat Head’s and its partners in Portland have come to the consensus to terminate their business agreement, thereby closing the Pearl District brewpub in the first quarter of 2018. Of the decision, founder Glenn Benigni said, “Despite the best efforts from both sides, we were unable to agree upon a vision for the future. As a result, we’ve mutually decided to close the Fat Head’s Brewery location in Portland, pouring our last beer in early 2018. We’re extremely proud of our accomplishments and the success we’ve had here,” he continued, “including the the team that was put in place at its inception. We are forever grateful for their hard work and dedication to Fat Head’s.” All current employees will be given the opportunity to retain their positions within the new company that will occupy the space at 131 NW 13th Avenue. Fat Head’s wishes them success in their future endeavors.” According to the New School, a new brewpub will open in that space, Von Ebert Brewing.

GoodLife Brewing (Bend) announced the latest in their Secret Stash IPA series, #005: “The latest IPA in our Secret Stash IPA Series is an all Mosaic IPA that is 6.5% ABV and 45 IBU’s.  We dry hopped this beer with over 1 LB per barrel of Mosaic hops.  Secret Stash #005 is full of earthy tea-like aromas, backed by a huge pungent floral and fruitiness.  Ripe peach brings up the back end and balances the crisp Pilsner and American Pale base malt with Munich specialty malts. Secret Stash #005 is a light, refreshing Northwest Style IPA that’ll make even the biggest curmudgeon merry.”

Rogue Ales Eastside Pub in Portland has their Green Dragon Brew Crew release tonight, featuring Black Dragon Imperial Pumpkin Stout: “This autumn seasonal is big, black, and delicious! Subtle flavor from 11lbs of pumpkin in the mash and boil, combined with cinnamon and a generous amount of dark malt, make this a very special beer. Full-bodied and roasty, we think you’ll come back for more.” Taps at 5pm.

StormBreaker Brewing (Portland) has a beer release today for a beer named Mocabe Lo Sabe: “Join us for one of our most exciting beer releases to date! We joined forces with the amazing roasters at Groundwork Coffee Co. to combine one of their delicious single origin coffees with a brand new cream ale. The result is Mocabe Lo Sabe! It’s a seamless marriage of bittersweet coffee, creamy flaked oats, and light roasted coffee from Chiapas, Mexico. Meet the brewers and roasters and talk beer and coffee from 5-7p. We’ll have breakfast for dinner specials that pair perfectly with this new release! Cheers! And for every MOCABE Lo Sabe beer sold at Stormbreaker from December 6th to 13th, $1 will be donated to the Café Femenino Foundation, supporting female coffee farmers around the world!!!”

Three Mugs Brewing (Hillsboro) has the re-release of their Sinfully Yours Imperial Porter on tap today: “Go ahead, be bad…you deserve it. Indulge yourself with this huge, chewy, malty, chocolatey brew, with nice residual sweetness and a hint of roastiness and hops to balance. A perfect warming ale to warm your soul on those cold, rainy Oregon days & nights. Imperial Porter, 9.3% ABV, 38 IBU”