Happy Monday! We’re a week away from Christmas and this will be the last week of daily beer news for the year, after which I’m “off” for the holidays. Get your Christmas shopping done! As for today’s news, as usual I’ll be updating this post throughout the day so check back often for the latest news and happenings.

Deschutes Brewery (Bend): The Bend Pub is hosting its annual debut of Santa and Red Chair NWPA from 5 to 8pm: “Mark your calendars and get your Christmas lists ready because Santa is coming back to the pub Monday December 17th. This year Santa will be bringing along with him one of our favorite winter treats… RED CHAIR NWPA! This release celebration will be held upstairs in the Taproom at the Pub. Come get your annual family photo with Santa and the gang. Bring your own camera or phone and Santa’s helpers would be happy to take your photos. We will have the cookies and beer you just bring your Christmas cheer!”

Belmont Station (Portland) is welcoming Washington’s Finnriver Cider for the release of its new Brandywine tonight from 5 to 8pm: “We are joined by the wonderful, festive folks of Finnriver Farm & Cidery for the release of their new Chico Chia Brandywine. About the brandywine in their words: We debut a new addition of our select line of 18.5% abv cordial style brandywines with organic chai spices from Chico Chai and custom distilled apple brandy, crafted from organic heirloom Washington apples. Sample the new Chico Chai Brandywine, alongside Pommeau (a cold weather favorite) and all the other beautiful ciders that Finnriver offers.”

Imperial Bottle Shop (Portland): Starting today, both Imperial locations will be holding a Cellar Sale for Shawn, which will run through Wednesday: “Shawn, my wife and Imperial’s co-owner/manager, has been out of work fighting a rare and aggressive form of cancer all year. Subsequently, our finances have been tight. So we’re selling off some of our cellar to help generate a little extra cash flow to offset her lost wages.” Check out the bottle list posted on the page and be sure to stop in to pick up some special bottles for the holidays and help Shawn out.

The Bier Stein (Eugene) is hosting Sisters’ Three Creeks Brewing for a barrel aged tasting tonight from 5 to 7pm. Among the barrel aged offerings Three Creeks has right now, you might find some Rye Whiskey Barrel-Aged Frontier Justice Coffee Stout and Red Wine Barrel-Aged Sisters Country Saison.

Dirt Road Brewing (Corvallis) has new beer available at a couple of locations around Corvallis: “You can now find our newest IPA, North by NWIPA at Suds & Suds in Corvallis and Meet n Place Tavern in Philomath. This beer is a West Coast IPA with a soft and creamy mouthfeel and fluffy head due to additions of oats, with a tropical aroma featuring Ekuanot, Mosaic and Amarillo hops with a balancing bitter finish.”

Vanguard Brewing (Wilsonville) has new beer on tap as well: Parakeet Racer an American IPA. “Most of us didn’t make it to the race, but you too can now say, “I’ve heard of the 2nd 6th Annual Wilsonville Parakeet Race”. Parakeet Racer IPA is named after a “crackpot Reddit event” held on September 15, 2018 in the defunct Albertson’s parking lot in Wilsonville, OR. It was a “wildly stupid and poorly promoted event in animal athletics” where the victory went by default to the parakeet “dressed or at least pumped up to look like a chicken”. Parakeet Racer IPA, it’s a flight of fancy and with just one taste and you will come flying back for more!”

Fort George Brewery (Astoria) has a new Field of Greens dropping this Saturday, named Henry: “Look for this batch at the brewery starting Saturday, December 22nd, around the Pacific Northwest soon after. Fields of Green is an evolving series where every batch is unique. Henry features Hallertau Blanc, Meridian, Citra, and experimental X09236 hops. Available on tap and in 16-ounce four-packs to-go. There are no limits on can sales at the brewery. Case discounts apply.”

Old Town Brewing (Portland) is releasing a new brut IPA: “NEW BEER RELEASE: la Brut Sparkling IPA – canned up and ready for the early bird seekers this morning. Available now at the brewery, everywhere else soon! Stay tuned!”

Coin Toss Brewing (Oregon City) has its Caught in a Pickle Lager coming out this week, just in time for Christmas: “The Christmas pickle is a Christmas tradition for some Americans. A decoration in the shape of a pickle is hidden on a Christmas tree, with the finder receiving either a reward or good fortune for the following year. Why are we posting this? Let’s just say you’ll be able to find a reward and receive good fortune by visiting our taproom later this week…”