Here’s the news in Oregon beer for this snow day, Thursday, December 8. As usual, I’ll be periodically updating this post throughout the day, so check back often. And if you have news to share, please contact me and I can get that updated as well.

McMenamins Edgefield (Troutdale) has their Meet Your Maker beer tasting today Friday, featuring Lord Snow Imperial Stout, from 5 to 8pm: “As black as a crow, this strong, dark beer was brewed with fresh and dried spearmint and peppermint candies to provide a hint of the chill of winter, but its massive, thick body and warming strength help to ward that chill off. A huge supporting cast of dark malts, including a hundred and fifty pounds of Rolled Oats to add a smooth mouthfeel, provide a great depth and complexity of flavor accentuated by the herbal, faintly sweet undertones of spearmint. Grab a pint and bundle up. Winter is coming…” I’m always a bit wary of mint-infused beers, but it sounds pretty interesting.

Breakside Brewery (Portland) is releasing six new bottled beers this Saturday the 10th at their Milwaukie brewery and tasting room. From the press release: “Three of these beers make up part two in the breweries new B-Sides series of blended vintage barrel-aged sour and wild beers, many 3+ years in the making. In addition to three new B-Sides, the brewery will also be releasing “Consummation” a sour pinot barrel-aged beer in 750ml bottles for $15 each, “Fourth Wave” a coffee beer aged in Heaven Hill bourbon barrels for $12 a 22oz bottle and finaly “Mid Centruy Modern” an Abbey-style Dark Ale in 750ml bottles for $11.” No set hours for the release, the bottles will be available all day long. Definitely some interesting beers here!

The Bier Stein (Eugene) is hosting Sisters’ Three Creeks Brewing today for their Hoodoo Brew-Ski event from 5 to 8pm: “It’s that time of year, where we tip our glasses to the snow gods in hopes of some sweet powder for the next few months. Three Creeks brewery from Sisters is bringing their beer as an offering, and some sweet prizes from Hoodoo Ski Resort to boot! They will be raffling off 2 day passes, 2 Autobahn passes, one season pass, and some smaller items and brewery swag– if you like to hit the slopes you won’t want to miss this! We’ll be pouring Hoodoo Voodoo IPA, Tree Hunter Winter IPA, 7 Pine Chocolate Porter, and Frontier Justice Coffee Imperial Stout.”

Belmont Station (Portland) has Finnriver Cider in the house for a tasting and some holiday gift ideas this evening from 5 to 7pm: “The Finnriver crew have really out done themselves to create a nice array of festive ciders for this tasting. They also put together some beautiful gift baskets which will surely be at the top of any cider lover’s holiday gift list. Seven different gift baskets including Finnriver logo glasses, a variety of very special ciders/brandy wines, and a “cocktail, cooking, tips and pairing” book. Supplies are limited so make sure to get here early for best selection.”

Ordnance Brewing (Boardman) will be in Bend tonight at The Brown Owl for a beer tasting from 6 to 8pm: “Come by The Brown Owl in Bend for an Ordnance Brewing Promo this Thursday December 8th (6pm to 8pm). 4 Tasty Ordnance brews will be on the board.”

Culmination Brewing (Portland) and Loyal Legion did a collaboration beer together and tonight is the release and tap takeover kickoff at Loyal Legion: “”Loyal To A Fault” A barrel aged sour blend made with nectarines and Raspberries release party will be all weekend, Dec. 8th to the 11th. We will also have 6+ other beers on from Culmination to help keep the party going!” Yes, it will run all weekend.

Don’t forget Cascade Brewing‘s 18th anniversary celebration continues today (and through the weekend)! Special beers on tap and limited bottles for sale! And today: “A little snow won’t stop our anniversary celebration! Today at open at the Barrel House, we will have the 2011 Manhattan on tap to add to our anniversary line up. Cheers!”

Also don’t forget about Boneyard Beer‘s pop-up pub tap takeover at Lardo in Portland continues through Saturday as well! 13 Boneyard beers on tap!

Labrewatory (Portland) just tapped two beers to check out: “MemberBerries – This experimental grape sour is blended with a no-boil berlinerweise. A huge amount of lemon, citrus, and spicy pear taste and a hint of sour in every sip. (ABV 6%). Brett Wabi-Sabi – A pale ale brewed with green tea, brettanomyces, and Wasabi. Sounds weird… tastes amazing. (ABV 6.4%)”

Old 99 Brewing (Roseburg) is supporting a good fundraising cause today and tomorrow: “Come in today or tomorrow 4-close to purchase a commemorative glass ($5 per) and help support low income family’s in Douglas County. If you purchase a glass we will donate $1 per pint to Local 2091 Firefighters so they can help out our community members in need this Holiday season.” Go purchase a bunch of glasses for Christmas gifts and help out!