Here’s the news in Oregon beer for Monday, December 16—just over a week away from Christmas! As usual, I’ll be periodically updating this post throughout the day with the latest news as I find it, so check back often. And if you have news to share, please contact me and I can get that posted as well.

Ninkasi Brewing (Eugene) announced on Thursday of last week their plans to start bottling their Single Hop series of beers for 2014: “[Ninkasi’s] Single Hop Series is a project to help its brewers and consumers experience the unique characteristics of select and newly-developed hops. The series, which kicked-off with the release of Smells Like Purple brewed with Meridian hops in the summer of 2012, uses a standard malt base to showcase each individual hop. Now, each beer in the series is named for the hop in use and lends itself to a deeper understanding of the featured varietal. In 2014, hop-heads can expect to see three beers released to the Single Hop Series, starting with Mosaic on-draft and in 22-ounce bottles found in Ninkasi’s Spring Variety 4-Pack January through April.”

Belmont Station (Portland) is hosting California’s Speakeasy Brewing tonight for a special release and tasting of the brewery’s first new Syndicate series beer: “The Bay Area’s Speakeasy Brewing is launching Syndicate, a new series of blended strong beers that have been aged in American spirits barrels for no less than nine months. These bottles will age gracefully for years in your cellar, revealing new flavors over time. Syndicate #01 is a Barrel-Aged Vintage Ale of 10.5% ABV. The base of the blend is our Old Godfather Barleywine (51%) which was aged in bourbon barrels for over 2 years. Two different Imperial Stouts, Black Hand Volume I (15%) and Two Minutes to Midnight (14%) introduce rich, dark chocolate notes and a creamy mouthfeel. Final additions of barrel-aged Betrayal Imperial Red (11%) adds notes of dark fruit and toffee malt, Double Daddy (5%) imparts a bright, fruit-forward hop spice and Payback Porter (3%) introduces subtle notes of bitter cocoa. Come taste this very special beer that’s delicious now and promises to develop over time.”

GoodLife Brewing (Bend) released their newest beer and first-ever winter seasonal this weekend: Yukon Cornelius Festive Winter Beer, debuted this past Saturday at the Central Oregon Winter Beer Festival. From the press release: “This brown porter is 5.7% ABV and 30 IBU’s, and is brewed with 6 malts and 2 hops, then dry hopped with cinnamon. Head Brewer/Owner, Curt Plants, said, “This is the first time we have brewed a big batch with spices, and I didn’t want them to be too dominant of flavors.” Yukon Cornelius was “hop burst” with cinnamon and nutmeg, instead of the large amount of hops normally used.”

McMenamins Crystal Ballroom (Portland) has a special beer release in conjunction with their Great Northwest Music Tour even tonight, featuring Belgian Zitting Ale kicking off at 7pm. “This light and easy going Belgian session ale has all the traditional yeast characteristics you would expect. It pours clear golden with an effervescent spirit and thick white lacing foam, while pepper, spice and bubble-gum greet you on the nose. The flavor is tied together well by the earthy mint characteristics of Brewers Gold hops and the creamy biscuit notes of Vienna to back it up.” At 4% it’s a true session beer and should be a tasty tipple.

Three Creeks Brewing (Sisters) has another holiday seasonal going on tap today: “Reindeer Games IRA hit the taps this afternoon as an additional Winter Warmer for the season. All our favorite hop varieties were invited to play in this strong, piney India Red Ale that boasts 8.6 abv 70 ibu’s”