TGIF! Who’s ready for the weekend? Here’s the Oregon beer news for the weekend of December 11, hopefully you’ll find plenty of beery things to do! As usual, I’ll be periodically updating this post throughout the day with the latest news, so check back often. If you have news to share, please contact me and I can get that posted as well.

Occidental Brewing (Portland) has their annual Humbug Lager Fest this Saturday, December 12, starting at noon and going all day: “It’s time to celebrate cold weather and lager beers, Occidental Brewing Co. style. 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. Urban German will also be on site serving up his traditional German fare. The soundtrack will be provided by attending Brewer DJs. The event will take place indoors in our taproom and adjoining spaces. Attendance is free.”

The 3rd annual Central Oregon Winter Beer Festival is taking place Saturday the 12th, at GoodLife Brewing in Bend and featuring 19 local breweries pouring their winter beers from 1 to 9pm. “We are happy to announce Bigfoot Beverages as our Title Sponsor for 2015. COWBF is a showcase for seasonal and specialty beers brewed in celebration of the holiday season. 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.”

Migration Brewing (Portland): Today is the release of their Happy Pils, kicking off at 4pm (Friday the 11th): “It only happens about once a year so you have to enjoy it while you can, Migration’s Happy Pilz 2015. After you enjoy all those amazing holiday ales stop by the pub for a nice crisp Pilsner.”

The Bier Stein (Eugene) has Heretic Brewing in the house tonight (Friday the 11th) for a meet the brewer event from 5pm on: “Homebrewers have known the name for a long time, and were not surprised when the award winning homebrewer, author of Brewing Classic Styles, and voice on Brewing Network podcasts decided to open his own brewery. Just earlier this year we got access to Heretic’s beers, both in bottles and on draught. We’ll have 6 of his beers on tap, including some real specialties.”

And tomorrow, Saturday the 12th, The Bier Stein will have Eugene’s WildCraft Cider in for a tapping of their Krampus cider from 6 to 8pm: “Hide your children… ’cause they can’t legally drink this stuff anyhow! WildCraft reminds us to beware the evil holiday elf with Krampus, a cranberry spruce cider. It’s not all that scary, actually. Come on down and have a taste of our local Ciderhouse’s latest flavor!”

Ecliptic Brewing (Portland): Tomorrow, the 12th, they are releasing Orange Giant Barleywine Ale: “On Saturday, Dec. 12, we will release our Orange Giant Barleywine Ale and our Batch No. 2 Barrel-Aged Orange Giant Barleywine Ale with a celebratory tapping and limited bottle release at the pub. These two beers received medals from the 2015 Best Of Craft Beer Awards. Ecliptic Brewing’s Barrel-Aged Orange Giant Barleywine Ale was awarded silver in the “Wood-Aged Beer” category, and the Orange Giant Barleywine Ale collected the bronze “Barleywine” medal.”

Claim 52 Brewing (Eugene): They are holding their 2nd annual Winter Ale Fest tomorrow, 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. Admission is free and kids are welcome.”

Breakside Brewery (Portland): Saturday the 12th is the release of their new Vienna Coffee Beer, at Velo Cult Bike Shop in Portland: “Breakside Brewery is introducing a new draft only winter seasonal called Vienna Coffee Beer in two different versions while celebrating with a Bicycle Pub Crawl, free Donuts, Pints and Live Music this Saturday, December 12th from 10am – 3pm at Velo Cult in Portland. 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.”

Culmination Brewing (Portland): Saturday is their first bottle release! “We are bottling for the first time ever! This Saturday December 12th from 2 PM – 8 PM, you are invited to celebrate with us! We will have both EuPhoric Brett IPA, and 4 & 20 Imperial Black IPA on tap and in bottles!”

Uptown Market (Portland) is celebrating their 4th anniversary on Saturday! They’ll be offering tastings from a wide number of breweries throughout the day, along with live music, $4 food cart specials, and the release of their Winter Warmer, “Beeracle off 92nd St.” Make sure to swing by and help them celebrate!

Three Mugs Brewing (Hillsboro) has a holiday beer release tomorrow (Saturday), featuring Oma’s Pfeffernüsse Ale: “Join us as we release our limited edition holiday beer, an awesomely tasty brew based on a traditional German holiday cookie, the Pfeffernüsse, literally “pepper nut”. This brew follows the cookie’s tradition. It’s a dark ale, layered with flavors of malt, biscuit, toffee and molasses, lightly spiced with traditional German holiday spices, including wisps of ginger, all spice, cinnamon. anise & a touch of Haselnuss (Hazlenut). My Oma would be proud to call this brew her own. Our brew is a modest 6.5% ABV with 22 IBUs, but full of awesome flavor. Prost!”

Plank Town Brewing (Springfield) is hosting a barrel-aged beer fest Saturday, their From the Woods Fest from noon to 9pm: “Join us for a barrel-aged extravaganza! Featuring extra special barrel-aged brews from: Plank Town Brewing Company, Agrarian Ales, Oregon Trail Brewery, Vagabond Brewing, Nectar Creek Mead, Oakshire Brewing, Stickmen Brewing Company, Santiam Brewing Co., Hop Valley Brewing Co., Viking Braggot Company, and WildCraft Cider Works. $10 to join the fun, which comes with a specialty glass, 3 pour tickets, and a coupon for discounted food. Additional tickets will be available for purchase.” Sounds awesome!