Here’s the news in Oregon beer for this Tuesday, December 13. As usual, I’ll be periodically updating this post throughout the day, so check back often for the latest news. If you have news to share, please contact me and I can get that updated as well.

McMenamins Old Church (Wilsonville) has their “Blissful Brews at the Old Church” beer tasting today from 5 to 8pm, featuring Santa’s Sack Holiday Ale: “Have you been good this year? Well then, Santa’s got something special in his sack for you. It’s our ever-popular Kris Kringle Ale that’s been infused with spiced rum soaked oak, a few orange peels, some freshly grated ginger and a dash of cinnamon. Feel the warm glow of the holidays wash over you as hops, malt, and holiday spices all mingle on your palate. But like just like Santa, this beer only comes once a year. So enjoy it while you can!”

Thunder Island Brewing (Cascade Locks): Today they are hosting an ugly Christmas sweater beer release party from 5 to 7pm: “Join us to celebrate the Holidays at our December Beer Release!
We will be serving Four Limited Release Holiday Beers: Imperial Vanilla Porter, Alanna’s Vienna Lager, Bourbon Barrell Stout, and Cranbozen Brown Ale. Wear your Ugliest Christmas Sweater for a chance at a White Elephant Prize!” Fun in the Gorge!

Portland Brewing is celebrating the release party for Tim’s Holiday IPA tonight from 5:30 to 8:30pm: “We will launch our final collaboration with Oregon Brew Crew for the year – Tim’s Holiday IPA. Featuring brown and dark wheat malts from the US, England and Germany, this is a special beer for a special time of year. Oregon Brew Crew’s Time Brinson crafted the original recipe and brewed the beer with Portland Brewing’s head brewer, Ryan Pappe. This release marks the finale of the 2016 Home Brewer’s Series. In the spirit of giving, we will donate a portion of the proceeeds from Tim’s Holiday IPA to the Oregon Food Bank. Get to the beer’s creator and the rest of the Portland Brewing team at Portland Brewing this Tuesday, December 13th at 5:30pm.”

Portland’s Fat Head’s Brewery is releasing a specialty beer today: Gin Barrel Aged Head Shrinker. “Our Gin Barrel Aged Head Shrinker (Double IPA) will be tapped! Come get some before this super limited release runs dry!” This takes place all day from when they open at 11:30am.

Lompoc Brewing (Portland): Their 20th anniversary Zwanzig Fest kicks off today, and runs through the week! “To commemorate the 20th Anniversary of Lompoc Brewing, the brewers have brewed Zwanzig, a bitter Märzen ale in a nod to Lompoc’s very first brew, Erst Ale. Pale orange in color, its full, malty body and eight hop additions will make you reminisce tipping back a few pints on the New Old Lompoc patio. 7.0% ABV. Every day at 4pm during Zwanzig Fest, a different Lompoc pub will tap the beer; everyone who orders a Zwanzig or that day’s featured taster tray will receive a raffle ticket for a chance to win a variety of Lompoc swag.” Today’s tapping are at both the Sidebar and the Fifth Quadrant, and additionally will be featuring a vertical tasting of Monster Mash Imperial Porter.

Crux Fermentation Project (Bend): The latest Beer’ducation series tasting takes place today, featuring a comparison taste-off between “two hop-forward beers, 1 Nitrogenated and 1 Carbonated,” their On the Fence Nitro versus Off Lease Session IPA (regular CO₂).

Standing Stone Brewing (Ashland) has their Pints for a Purpose fundraiser today starting at 5pm, benefiting the Maslow Project: “Please join us at Standing Stone Brewing Co. December 13th from 5-10pm as we raise proceeds for the Maslow Project. During the event we will donate $2 from every pint of beer and $1 from every pint of Root Beer sold to the group. We will also be hosting a Donation Drive to help supply homeless youth with neccessites and supplies during this winter season.” View the event page for details on the type of donated items they need.

Deschutes Brewery (Bend): Tuesdays are their Community Pint days, donating $1 of every pint sold all day to a selected non-profit. “Did you know every Tuesday in the month of December we donate $1 of every pint sold to Deschutes County Search and Rescue Foundation? Come enjoy a pint of Nitro Red Chair NWPA with us. Cheers!”

Cascade Brewing (Portland): Their Tap It Tuesday at the Barrel House tonight is featuring Sang du Chêne, “a preview of our newest project, meaning “blood of the oak.” Set to be released in early 2017, this blend showcases sour strong blond and triple ales aged in three large format oak vessels: foudres, puncheons and hogsheads. Oak influences are the highlight of the Sang du Chêne, providing flavors of toasted sugars, vanilla and spice complemented by the bright acidity and fruity character of the beer (8.3% ABV).” It gets tapped at 6pm.

Cascade also has a new beer releasing today: “Today at 12:30pm, we’re releasing Happy Holidates, our seasonal blend featuring imperial reds and spiced quads aged in bourbon barrels with rum-soaked dates and mulling spices. Decadent flavors of rum, dried dates, caramel malts and spices provide plenty of warmth through the cold holiday season.”

Ninkasi Brewing (Eugene): Believer Double Red Ale is back! The press release went out today: “Back by popular demand, independent Oregon craft brewer Ninkasi Brewing Company announces the return of Believer Double Red Ale to its Seasonal Release Series available Dec. 2016 through April 2017. In partnership with the brewery’s Beer is Love donations program, a portion of all Believer sales will go to three national non-profits: Conscious Alliance, Team River Runner and Women Who Code.” Check out the full details.

The BeerMongers (Portland) is hosting a Goose Island Bourbon County Fun Night this evening from 5 to 8pm, which sounds like they will have a variety of BCBS beers on hand.