Here is the Oregon beer news for the weekend of Friday the 4th of December. I am actually heading to Portland to the Holiday Ale Festival today and will be at the beer writers table to hopefully sell some books! As such, I won’t be able to update this periodically as I normally would, but there are a slew of events and happenings taking place.

Friday, 12/4

Migration Brewing (Portland): They have a holiday beer release starting at 4pm, featuring Frankie Claus Belgian Chocolate Stout: “We are so happy to announce Frankie Claus will be back for your 2015 holidays. This 11.8% Belgian Choclate Stout is an amazing beer to enjoy this year, as well as in years to come with the limited 144 bottles we will be selling. We hope you can stop by and join us for a pint at the pub, and don’t forget to take a bottle or two home.”

Montavilla Brew Works (Portland) has a beer release as well at 5pm, featuring DeGeorger EnForcer Imperial Stout: “FIVE MALT and FIVE HOP ADDITIONS make this big fella tastefully balanced, suitably warming and eminently drinkable despite its formidable strength. Hop aroma is subtly spicy with citrusy/herbal overtones that pair beautifully with the bittersweet chocolate roast profile. DeGeorger EnForcer asks for a pledge of commitment! Are you ready?”

The Bier Stein (Eugene) is hosting Eugene’s Claim 52 Brewing for a tasting of their Olivia 9 from 4 to 6pm: “Come try a sample (and a glass!) of this year’s Olivia 9 release from Claim 52. Originally brewed three years ago as a tribute to founder Trevor Ross’s daughter, this Belgian-style dark strong ale is aged in Bourbon barrels, which contributes a layer of woody complexity to the already robust beer. We featured the beer paired with a chocolate torte with sour cherries at our second beer dinner back in 2013; needless to say, it was wonderful. Trevor will be here sampling out this year’s model, and we’ll have it on tap so you can try it, then take a bottle home for a special occasion. We have just a few bottles of the 2014 left on the shelf, and it’s tasting great!”

Baerlic Brewing (Portland): They are releasing bottles of their WoodWorker Iniquitous Bourbon Barrel Aged Stout starting at 2pm: “The Woodworker Iniquitous Imperial Stout weighs in at 8.5% ABV. This devilishly drinkable imperial stout bursts at the seams with bitter chocolate, bourbon spice and vanilla and finishes rich, roasty and dry. A taproom bottle release party will be on Friday, December 4th starting at 2 p.m. This party will include a special tapping of the WoodWorker Iniquitous at Baerlic’s Southeast Portland Taproom is located at 2235 SE 11th Ave.”

Saturday, 12/5

Three Creeks Brewing (Sisters) has their fifth annual Rudolph’s Imperial Red vertical tasting: “The holidays are quickly approaching. What does that mean? That’s right! Our Rudolph’s Imperial Red Vertical Tasting is back! We are so excited to be celebrating our 5th year of this memorable event. Four vintages complete with four delicious appetizers. Chef Mark and Brewer Jordan will be tableside talking you through each course. Seating is limited. Reservations required. $25/person (gratuity included). Call 541.549.1963.”

The Bier Stein has Goose Island’s Bourbon County Stout in the house! Starting at 11am: “Join us for our yearly dispersal of the renowned Bourbon County Stout! We will have it on tap (with 3 other GI beers: Lolita, IPA, and Festivity) as well as in bottles, 1 per person limit. PLUS: Bourbon County Rare, aged in Heaven Hill Bourbon barrels over 30 years old! 16.9oz. bottles come individually packed in a small wooden crate. These bottles are, you guessed it, RARE. Only a few cases came to Oregon, so if you are a fan, you know what to do.”

Portland’s EastBurn is hosting their second annual Ciderfest starting at 4pm: “EastBurn’s Ciderfest promotes the amazing ciders being produced in the Pacific Northwest and benefits Toys For Tots. Entry fee is $10, which gives you 5 tasting tokens. Patrons will also receive an Eastburn Ciderfest glass. Additional tokens will also be available for purchase at the door. Patron’s who bring in an unwrapped childs toy will receive 5 EXTRA TOKENS. We will have live music upstairs in the dining room and a DJ in the Tap Room.”

McMenamins Sherwood Pub (Sherwood) is celebrating its 20th anniversary all day starting at 11am: “The Sherwood McMenamins will have been open for 20 years on December 5th, so we want to celebrate! Come out to help us celebrate with cake, beer and food specials all day! And try out Horny Toad Red Ale, made just for our birthday $4 pint, $8 growler fill.”

Sunday, 12/6

Yachats Brewing (Yachats) has a Brewers Dinner taking place at the Yachats Farm Store from 4 to 7pm: “Experience a true culinary event with our FIRST brewers’ dinner. Five course local farm menu paired with our craft beer. It will be truly a feast! Seating is limited so please purchase your tickets in advance – $75 at the Farmstore or email info@yachatsfarmstore.com”

Zoiglhaus Brewing (Portland): They are celebrating St. Nikolaus Day with a special beer release: “To celebrate St Nikolaus Day we are releasing our Nikolaus Beer on December 6th. Do you really think St. Nick wants to eat chocolate chip cookies and drink milk after busting his ass all night? Hell, no! He wants to pound lagers and eat gingerbread. With that image in mind, we thought we would save him some trouble and just put the two things together: German Pilsner, Wheat, Munich, Caramel, Carapils, and Carafa malts were selected to work their magic with a secret blend of gingerbread spices and a splash of German Magnum and Hallertauer hops. Nikolaus is spicy, delicate, nuanced and plain fun. We will be serving a slice of gingerbread along side this wonderful beer. And we are putting it in a boot, to boot! Sunday only, for $10 you get the beer, a slice of gingerbread, and a boot to take home! Come and celebrate Old St. Nik!”