Happy Monday, and I hope you had a great weekend! If you attended the Holiday Ale Festival in Portland over the weekend and picked up my book or a card, and are visiting this site for the first time, welcome! Here’s the Oregon beer news for December 7th; 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.

Bailey’s Taproom (Portland) is hosting a tap takeover at their Upper Lip today starting at 4pm, featuring The Commons Brewery and Perennial Artisan Ales: “St. Louis’ Perennial Artisan Ales has joined forces with Portland’s own The Commons to brew a one-of-a-kind brew that we’re excited to debut at The Upper Lip: Meriwether is a classic saison with a blend of house yeast strains from both breweries and hopped with German Hallertauers to infuse lemony, herbal flavors and aromas. Our remaining five taps will be a mix of rare Perennial brews and special one-offs from The Commons. The full list will be revealed closer to the night of the event. There is no admission fee for this event.”

Portland’s Breakside Brewery announced today that they are releasing a new draft-only winter seasonal, Vienna Coffee Beer, and it will be in two different versions. From the press release: “Breakside is releasing two versions of Vienna Coffee Beer simultaneously, each with a different cold brew concentrate from Stumptown. Both versions will be draft-only and be available through December. Each has it’s own distinct coffee flavor and it’s encouraged to try them side-by-side. The two versions are Vienna Coffee Beer with: Ethiopian Nano Challa Coffee… [and] OG Cold Brew.” To celebrate they will be hosting a release party this Saturday, December 12.

Beergarden in Eugene is launching their inaugural Winter Brew Festival celebration today, which runs through this Sunday the 13th. Each day they are welcoming a brewery (or cidery) and pairing up a special food cart plate with the beer/cider. Today they have Reverend Nat’s Hard Cider from 5 to 7pm: “We will tap their Winter Abbey and Revival Cider. Each cart is preparing a special plate made with Reverend Nat’s Revival Cider.”

Other fests to look forward to this weekend include:

• Occidental Brewing‘s Humbug Lager Fest, taking place all day Saturday the 12th at Occidental in Portland: “Our yearly Humbug Lager Fest will be stocked with terrific lagers from Occidental and great breweries from Portland and beyond. There will be a wide range of beers, light to dark, easy drinking to strong and bold.”
• The Central Oregon Winter Beer Festival taking place at GoodLife Brewing in Bend on Saturday from 1 to 9pm: “Admission to COWBF will be $10.00 and attendees will receive a commemorative COWBF glass, as well as 4 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.”
• Claim 52 Brewing (Eugene) has their own Winter Ale Fest lined up for Saturday from 3 to 9pm: “Eleven Winter Ale specialties from local breweries and 1 special guest from Portland will be highlighted at the Fest. Eugene Ballet will be on hand for a pop-up Nutcracker performance at 4pm. Navarro’s Latin Creole Kitchen Food Truck will be on hand. Addmission is free and kids are welcome.”

Yachats Brewing (Yachats) has a winter seasonal on tap now: “Our Winter Saison with Juniper Berries is now on tap! It is the perfect compliment to the holiday season.”