Welcome to another Monday and the start of a new week! We’re just under two-and-a-half weeks until Christmas, and I’m planning on taking the week between Christmas and New Year’s off from the beer news—but in the meantime, here it is. 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 posted as well.

Full Sail Brewing (Hood River): Recently their Amber Ale (a long-time classic) and Session Lager won some big awards at the World Beer Awards: Amber was named “World’s Best” and Session Lager was named “America’s Best.” “Full Sail Amber Ale was awarded a gold medal and was named “The World’s Best” in the American brown ale-dark beer category. Session Premium Lager also earned a gold medal and was named “The Americas’ Best” in the helles lager category.” That’s a big honor! I haven’t had Full Sail’s Amber Ale for ages, I think it’s time to pick up and pop open a few bottles.

Pelican Pub & Brewery (Pacific City) announced last week their new Pelican Barrel Project, utilizing the extra space freed up by their Tillamook brewery expansion: “The initial release will launch in early January of 2014: “Tsunami on Wheat Whiskey”. We have brewed a batch of Tsunami Stout to age in Dry Fly Distilling’s Washington Wheat Whiskey barrels. The beer will spend an estimated 2.5 months inside the barrels to impart the new oak flavors that we are looking for. Tsunami on Wheat Whiskey will be an extremely limited draft-only item available at our oceanfront Brewpub in Pacific City, our Tap Room in Tillamook, and a select few bars in Oregon and Washington.” They will be aging and releasing various beers throughout 2014.

Belmont Station (Portland) is holding a tasting tonight with Corvallis’ Nectar Creek Honeywine meadery from 5 to 7pm: “Corvallis meadery Nectar Creek was created by two brothers with a contagious energy to redefine the world’s oldest fermented beverage as a new and artful libation. All of our mead is handcrafted in small batches using the best ingredients the Pacific Northwest has to offer, highlighting specific blends of Willamette Valley honey, water and yeast to produce a sensational pint. Look for samples of Nectar Creek’s Wildflower Session Mead, Ginger Session Mead and Raspberry Session Mead — all naturally gluten-free.”

Ecliptic Brewing (Portland) is releasing two bottled beers (already!), the first of I’m sure many to come: Filament Winter IPA, which is available starting today, and Illuminating the Path, a collaboration beer brewed with Cigar City Brewing available next week (released on the 16th). “In addition to the release of Filament, Harris has announced the upcoming availability of a collaboration beer with Cigar City Brewing. The unique, pinot noir barrel-aged strong ale is called Illuminating the Path, and was brewed with hibiscus and acai berries from Florida, as well as rose hips and marionberries from Oregon. Harris flew out to Tampa, Fla., in May of 2013 to visit Cigar City Brewmaster Wayne Wambles, where they concocted the concept for Illuminating the Path and brewed the beer collaboratively.” There are only 15 cases of the collaboration brew to sell, and both beers are (or will be) available at the brewpub.

There are a number of winter mini-fests taking place this weekend:

• Plew’s Brews (Portland) is holding their St. Johns Winter Beer Fest Friday through Sunday: “We’ll have over 20 different holiday themed beers. Glasses are $5 and tickets are $1. Most tastings will be 4 ounces for one ticket. Presented by the High Street Homebrew Club and Thurston Beervents.”
• Occidental Brewing (Portland) is holding their 2nd annual Humbug Lager Fest this Saturday the 14th: “This year we will have 15 beers pouring, including the debut of Occidental Rauchbier. To supply the rest of the beer, we’ve asked our friends for some help…Firestone Walker, Upright, The Commons, Breakside, Lompoc, Ayinger, Old Town, Southern Oregon, Heater Allen, Ninkasi, Hopworks, Rock Bottom and Oakshire will be in attendance.”
• Sixteen Tons (Eugene) has their 4th annual Strong Ale Fest taking place Friday and Saturday: “The 16 Tons crew will serve up more than 50 Craft Beers including: Belgian Strong Ales, Barrel Aged Ales, Spiced Ales, Barley Wines, Imperial Stouts, Imperial Browns, Strong Sour Ales, Traditional Old Ales, rare imports and Winter Style IPAs. 5pm-10pm each day, Free Entry, $1-$2 Tasters, Cash Only”
• GoodLife Brewing (Bend) is hosting the first-ever Central Oregon Winter Beer Festival this Saturday, featuring the lion’s share of Central Oregon’s breweries and is a benefit for the Central Oregon Brewers Guild.