Here’s the news in Oregon beer for Thursday, the 13th of December. 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 updated as well.

The Green Dragon (Portland) has their 2nd annual Hanukkah Hoedown Throwdown going on today start at 5pm, featuring beers from Portland’s own Lompoc and Schmaltz Brewing: “Celebrate Hanukkah this year at the Green Dragon. We will be having our 2nd Annual Hanukkah Hoedown Throwdown with Shmaltz Brewing and Lompac Brewing each bringing five of their rare holiday ales. Join us at 5pm on Thursday, Decemeber 13th to meet the Lompac brewers Bryan Keilty, Irena Bierzynski, and Josh Merrick as they talk about their unique brews. Come and join us for a pint!”

Belmont Station (Portland) is featuring a tasting today with Anderson Valley Brewing from 5 to 7:30pm: “Taste their ever-popular Winter Solstice, Brother David’s Tripel and Dubbel, Boont Amber, and Barney Flats Oatmeal Stout in the store, and grab a glass of Winter Solstice or the very limited Wild Turkey bourbon Barrel Stout and Rosy Barl Sour Ale (Mowkeef Saison aged in Chardonnay barrels for a year and half, with Fresh Raspberries added in the last 6 months) on tap in the Biercafe.”

Pfriem Family Brewers (Hood River) is releasing a brand new beer, a Cascadian Dark Ale, at their brewery tonight: “Fresh cut Douglas Fir, Roast & Black Currents…come get your 1st taste of pFriem CDA this Thursday, Dec 13th @ 5:30 pm. Release party with FREE appetizer pairing, see you there!”

McMenamins Edgefield (Troutdale) has a limited-edition beer tasting today starting at 5pm, featuring The Recluse, a “Blackberry & Rum Barrel-Aged Black Widow”. “This dark, tart and slightly fruity beer has been lurking in one of Edgefield Distillery’s Three Rocks Rum barrels for months now. What was once Black Widow Porter has been transformed by an addition of blackberry purée and infused with complex flavors of dark, sour fruit, faint whisps of molasses, vanilla, and deep, tucked-away hints of American oak. In comparison to the Widow, the Recluse is lighter bodied and lighter colored, but this arachnid packs an intoxicating bite that will surely have your tastebuds ensnared.” This sounds absolutely delicious, one I’m sorry to not be local enough to the Edgefield to be able to go.

The Platypus Pub (Bend) is hosting a tasting with Washington’s Hale’s Ales this evening, from 6 to 8pm: “Please join us Thursday, December 13th at 6:00 as we welcome in Kelsey from Hale’s Ales for a tasting. We will have four of their beers on tap that they will be sampling. Those beers will be The Troll Porter on nitro, Wee Heavy, Super Goose Imperial IPA and a special Bourbon Barrel Aged Super Goose.”