Here’s the Oregon beer news for this Wednesday, the 13th of December. As usual, I’ll be periodically updating this post throughout the day with the latest news, so check back often for updates. And if you have news to share, please contact me and I can get that updated as well.

The Bier Stein is hosting a beer dinner with pFriem Family Brewers this evening starting at 6pm: “We hope you will join us for this fantastic beer pairing dinner! Tickets available now, $65 includes gratuity; come in or call to purchase tickets. Limited seating! Menu subject to changes. Vegetarian option available, please alert the staff when you purchase your ticket.” It’s a seven-course menu paired with a wide variety of pFriem’s beers.

Portland’s Ex Novo Brewing is also hosting a winter beer dinner tonight from 6 to 9pm: “Come join us for a delectable and upscale 4-course dinner in our loft area, paired with rare and delicious Ex Novo beers. Tickets are $60 per person (includes gratuity), and we expect to sell out of them ahead of time so plan to join us! Courses presented by chef and head brewer, seating is first come first serve so please be on time to ensure your party can be seated together.” There are 4 courses to pair with Ex Novo’s brews.

McMenamins 23rd Avenue Bottle Shop (Portland) is hosting the release of A Beer Called Death, a coffee stout from the Thompson Brewery in Salem: “Come try an amazing Coffee Stout from McMenamins’ Thompson Brewery. Brewer Jen Kent will be at the Bottle Shop to pour samples and talk about the inspiration behind ‘A Beer Called Death’! There’s an interesting coalition between beer and people when collaborating on a recipe. You’re met with a subject and the spark of an idea. The mind starts running with an inspiration fueled fire that leads you to question how you can manifest this in a way that allows both the beer and the subject to meet. A Beer Called Death is the answer. Don’t let the name deter you. Punk fans will know instantly what the name represents. It’s Detroit in the mid-seventies. It’s punk before punk existed, stashed away in attics, only to be discovered some 30 years later. In honor of the band called Death, we present you with an Imperial Coffee Stout. A mild sweetness and an alcohol warmth lay over soft bitter notes of coffee and chocolate. The blend creates a beer worthy of time, but thankfully, it’s here for you to enjoy, here and now.” It takes place from 6 to 8pm.

Belmont Station is hosting A Festive Night with Sierra Nevada this evening from 5 to 8pm: “‘Tis the season for Celebration! And we will not only be pouring Sierra Nevada’s iconic holiday ale on draft, but also on CASK from our beer engine. A rare treat, indeed! Full Sierra Nevada Lineup: 20th Street Blend Pale Ale — A blend of the 20th Street ales with Citra and Comet hops grown in the Sierra Nevada field, 2015 Narwhal — Imperial Stout, Hopourtunist — Beer Camp IPA, Celebration Ale — Cask Winter IPA, and Celebration Ale — Draft Winter IPA”

Hopworks Urban Brewery has the latest holiday beers in their 13 releases out today: “Three more offerings from our 13 limited holiday beer releases arrive this Wednesday at noon! This trifecta includes…
– Bring Us Some Figgy Pudding: Barrel Aged Barleywine with figs, chocolate, molasses and spices.
– 2009 Barrel Aged Noggin Floggin: Needs no explanation.
– SeaRock: Imperial Pilsner brewed in collaboration with Pacific Seafood. Come to our Powell location for a special food pairing on Wednesday.”

Salem Ale Works is hosting Craft Beer 101: Grain to Glass tonight from 6:30 to 8:30pm: “Grain to Glass: Brewing Ingredients and Process. Join SAW’s beer professor and national award winning local homebrewer, Ryan Holt, for a hands on exploration of the ingredients that go into making craft beer. Learn how and why each ingredient is used, touch them, smell them, taste them and then join us for a tour of the brewery as we discuss the brewing process and how the ingredients are brought together. Limited to 20 participants. Ticket Price: $20, includes 1 pint of SAW beer.” You can buy tickets online here.

And Salem Ale Works is currently also hosting a Pajama Drive that you should get in on: “Pajama Drive! In partnership with United Way of Mid-Willamette Valley, help local foster children by donating a pair of new pajamas. Receive $1 off a pint for every pair of new pajamas donated (max $6) as well as be entered into a contest to win a $50 SAW gift card for every pair donated.” This runs through Friday the 15th.

Rogue Ales Eastside Pub (Portland) has their Green Dragon Brew Crew release today, featuring Oregon Trail Red Ale: “This American Red Ale was brewed to showcase our great fortune living in the Pacific Northwest. Brewed with American and Canadian malt, Northwest grown hops (including Willamette, Mt. Hood, and Cascade), and fermented with local yeast from Imperial Organic Yeast, this red ale is nicely balanced and aromatic.”

Wild Ride Brewing (Redmond): They are kicking off The 12 Wild Days of Christmas at their Tap Room today! Each day they are offering a daily special on beer and/or apparel so you’ll want to follow along and get in on the deals! Today’s first deal: “Come to the Tap Room today to get these red snapback or camo hats for only $8! Which will you choose?”

And Deschutes Brewery is on the second of their own 12 Days of Christmas fun at the Bend Tasting Room. They are sampling and selling a different vintaged barrel-aged beer each day. Today’s beer is Black Butte XXVI, a great one to grab a few bottles of!

ColdFire Brewing (Eugene) has a new beer on tap today: “Hop Romance Imperial IPA, at 8.3% and 87 IBU is on tap today! Coming up, we’ve got BINGO on tap this Thursday at 7pm, we’ll also be up in Milwaukie, OR with 6 of our brews & swag on Thursday @beerstoremilwaukie, and Breakers Yard will be jammin’ in the taproom Friday night at 6pm!”

Lompoc Brewing (Portland) has a special vintage flight available now: “Today through Friday, Sidebar has four different Old Tavern Rat Barleywine vintages on tap: 07 Bourbon Barrel Aged, 2013, 2016, and 2016 Port Barrel Aged. Get a taster tray with all 4 for $14!”