Happy Friday, I hope the weekend is looking promising for you! This will likely be the last Oregon Beer News post for the rest of the year, as I think it’s time to take a break for the holidays. I’ll still be blogging and may have a stray OBN post here and there, otherwise I will resume after the first of the year. As usual, I’ll be periodically updating this post throughout the day with the latest news, so check back often. And if you have news to share, please let me know and I can get that updated as well.

The Holiday Ale Festival that took place in Portland at the beginning of this month raised a phenomenal $20,000 to donate to the Children’s Cancer Association, thanks to all the winter beer drinkers that came out! From the press release: “All the proceeds brought in from the on-site coat/bag check, the Crater Lake Root Beer Garden, a raffle, and sales of the festival’s classic pin up girl posters were earmarked for the non-profit. Organizers rounded up the proceeds to the nearest $1,000 and then quadrupled the amount; the $20,000 check was presented to the CCA earlier this week.” I’m proud to say a portion of the books I sold at HAF at our author’s table was donated, as well. Congrats to all who contributed!

10 Barrel Brewing (Bend) has released a new cider, named Bubbly, brewed by Tonya Cornett. It was officially release at their Bend and Portland pubs yesterday. From the PR: “Bubbly is the creation of 10 Barrel brewer Tonya Cornett, who handpicked Pink Lady and Granny Smith apples from a small farm in Yakima, Washington, to create a perfect blend of juice. She then fermented it out with a wine yeast to create strong champagne characteristics. Hence the name Bubbly.” I don’t know how long it will remain on tap or how limited it is, so if you’re interested in trying this out header over sooner rather than later.

Migration Brewing (Portland): Today is the release of their Black Hearted IPA, started at 4pm: “For the third and final installment of December beer releases Migration brings you Black Hearted. This CDA is approachable yet amazingly hoppy with a slight roast on the back end of your pallet. Bring mom dad and grandpa to join us for a pint of this seasonal IPA.”

The Bier Stein (Eugene) today has Corvallis’ Flat Tail Brewing in from 6 to 9pm for a tasting of a number of their beers: “It’s dark out. You can’t beat it, so join us to taste some recent releases on the dark side from Corvallis’s Flat Tail Brewing. Our rep Dave will be tasting out some beers, and we will have Dam Wild Marionberry Wild Ale, 6am Stout, “Wake Me Up Before You Cocoa” Abbey-style ale with cocoa, and Nobody Likes Sorghum Stout, a 11% wheat stout!”

Starting today and running through the weekend, the Fifth Annual St. Johns Winter Beer Fest is taking place at Plew’s Brews in PortlandBrewpublic has details: “This year’s St. Johns Winter Beer Fest will begin each day at Noon and will feature several barrel and wood aged stouts, barleywines, sours, porters, and more! Ciders and a special one-off wood aged Stung Fermented Mead will also be available. Entry to the St. Johns Winter Beer Fest is $10 for a commemorative glass. Drink tickets are $1 each and beers will range from one ticket to multiple tickets based on the individual beer. The fest will also feature the “Sunday Ticket” that is included in every drink package over $15 for a free 4 oz. taste only on Sunday.”

Worthy Brewing (Bend): Tomorrow, Saturday the 19th, Worthy releases this year’s edition of their Dark Muse Imperial Stout. “Join us for the release of this year’s vintage of Dark Muse, our monster Imperial Stout, coming in at 10.1%. It’s smooth and dark with a rich body, roasty character and velvety brown head. Notes of anise, extra dark chocolate and coffee finish warm, but not boozy. A touch of bitterness rounds out the 60 IBUs with a supremely rich mouthfeel. Food pairings plus a vertical with a very limited amount of 2014 Muse on tap, as well. 22-ounce bottles to go.”