Counting down until Christmas, we’re only five days away! And there’s only two days of the Oregon beer news left, as I’m taking next week off from news blogging for the holiday. In the meantime, here’s the news for Thursday the 20th; as usual I’ll be periodically updating this post with the latest news and info as I find it, so check back often. If you have news to share, please contact me and I can get that updated as well.

Full Sail Brewing (Hood River) has their December Brewmaster Dinner today starting at 5pm at their Pub: a four-course dinner inspired by a “traditional holiday feast” and paired with Full Sail’s holiday seasonal beers (Wreck the Halls, Session Fest, Wassail, and LTD 06). It’s only $35 and I believe it’s first-come, first-served (no reservations necessary, but the earlier the better obviously).

Lompoc Brewing (Portland) has a meet the brewers event tonight at their Oaks Bottom location from 5 to 7pm: “On Thursday, Dec. 20th from 5 to 7pm, join us for Meet the Brewers Night at Oaks Bottom Public House (1621 SE Bybee). Join Bryan, Josh & Irena as they release Prime Directive IPA, the first in our Sci-Fi IPA series. Plus, Irena will be on the patio with vintage bottle tastings of Braggot, Bourbon BBL Aged C-sons Greetings & Bourbon BBL Aged Tavern Rat. We’ll also have bottles of vintage Braggot for sale.” Note the bit about “Sci-Fi IPA series”—look for more of these on the way.

Alameda Brewing (Portland): Tonight is Alamenda’s Phat Santa Party starting at 6pm at the brewery: “Join us for an awesome night of Beer & Cheese indulgence! We’ll be serving beer & cheese flights, with special thanks to the official Cheese Monger, Steve Jones and his Cheese Bar on SE Belmont. You’ll be rolling out of here a Phat Santa for sure.” They’ve got a nice selection of beers to pair with an equally good selection of cheese, worth checking out if you can.

Pelican Pub & Brewery (Pacific City) is holding their “Mother of all beer tastings” event today at the brewery starting at 6pm—I know it’s last minute but they have an amazing taplist starting with Stormwatcher’s Winterfest 2006! “Join the Pelican brewers to taste some of the most rare and unique ales from the Pelican cellar. See how these wonderful beers have aged in the bottle over the years. Appetizers and beer pairings will be served in a festive cocktail party fashion.” It’s $65 and you can purchase here; if you can make it over there in time for this, definitely do so!

McMenamins Old St. Francis School (Bend): They have a special taster beer flight tomorrow, Friday the 21st which sounds good: “Tomorrow (12/21) in the Main Pub from 11:00 a.m. to closing, come by and sample our Wonderland Taster Beer Flight. You’ll get (3) 8 oz, beers, including Winter-Spiced Terminator Stout, Kris Kringle, and Parson Brown for $6. We’ll also feature recommended food pairings.”

The Bier Stein (Eugene) has a mead tasting going on tonight with Nectar Creek Honeywine from 7 to 9pm: “Free tasting and shwag give away with Nectar Creek Honeywine at the Bier Stein on Thursday, Dec 20th from 7-9pm! Nectar Creek is redefining mead by making delicious craft session meads. Founded by two brothers in Corvallis with a background in beekeeping and fermentation, Nectar Creek sources all of their honey from the bees they used to manage and are happy to use 100% pure Willamette Valley Honey. Come by for free samples or pick up a pint on draft!” A good chance to get some good tastes of mead if you’re not overly familiar.

Oakshire Brewing (Eugene) has a new beer just released in their tap room: “New beer release in our Tasting Room! Oraz Burton {Russian Imperial Stout} on Nitro. YUM. open Friday 3-7 & Saturday 12-5.” Sounds perfect for the cold weather we’ve been having!