Here is the news in Oregon beer for this final Wednesday of 2016, also the fourth day of Christmas, the third day of Kwanzaa, and the fifth evening of Hanukkah. 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.

McMenamins Cornelius Pass Roadhouse (Hillsboro): Their monthly beer tasting event tonight is featuring Cellar Favorites with seven beers on tap that you’ll be able to sample from: Fresh A IPA, Philosopher’s Stone, Edelweiss Hellesbock, Whiskey Barrel-Aged Dark Star, Barrel-Aged Irish Stout, Whiskey Peach IPA, and Barrel-Aged Cherry Ale. That’s a mini brewfest lineup right there! It takes place from 6 to 9pm tonight.

Ground Breaker Brewing (Portland) is celebrating their fifth anniversary today from 4 to 9pm. “We will have a brewery open house, a taplist heavy on seasonals and taproom exclusives, free samples of every available bottled beer, and double case discounts.” Brewpublic has an in-depth write-up with some retrospective and additional details on beers being tapped. Congrats on five years! Being a dedicated gluten-free brewery can’t be the easiest model in the beer industry but Ground Breaker definitely owns it.

Fat Head’s Brewery (Portland) has a beer release today that is a collaboration with Wayfinder Beer: Hookah Juice Imperial India Pale Lager. “8% 67 IBU. Our IIPL brewed with out friends at Wayfinder Brewing. Light crisp body from German Pilsner malt backed with flavors of citrus, pomegranate, and dank, diesel finish from Galaxy, Simcoe and Citra hops.” With a name like “Hookah Juice” you can expect a fairly dank beer I would expect.

McMenamins on Broadway (Portland) has their “The Tasting Technique” beer tasting today from 5 to 8pm, featuring Terminoir: “What happens when one cross-pollinates Terminator Stout and Edgefield Winery’s 2012 Pinot Noir? Terminoir! First, American Oak spirals were soaked in fine Pinot for over a year. Next, the oak was placed in a special keg of Terminator, and left to infuse. Finally, the reader may indulge in the end product.”

Vanguard Brewing (Wilsonville) has a kegged version of one of their popular beer blends available: “Coconut LPR (aka the Lynn). 8.5% ABV, 29 IBU. This special release is blend #1. We took LPR (imperial oatmeal stout) and blended in Lee’s Coconut Snowballs (American strong ale with toasted coconut). This new beer makes two great beers even tastier by softening the roast flavor and adding a subtle toasted coconut finish. We think you’ll love the result as much as we do in this smooth and delicious toasted coconut stout.”

The Green Dragon (Portland): Tonight’s Green Dragon Brew Crew release is featuring CDA of the Damned: “The perfect beer to say goodbye to 2016 – bitter, black, and strong enough to help you forget about everything that has made this a year we’re all eager to finish. Aggressively hopped with Magnum, Phoenix, and Columbus, then finished with Cascade for a classic Northwest aroma, offset by the deep black malts used to give its characteristic color.” The kegs are tapped at 5pm and the story behind the beer starts at 6.

Wolf Tree Brewery (Seal Rock): They will be at 16 Tons in Eugene this evening for a beer tasting from 5 to 7pm: “Meet Chad from Wolf Tree and sample a few of their new beers including a unique Spruce Tip Ale and Oud Bruin sour ale!”

Hood River’s PFriem Family Brewers will be in Portland at Bridge City Taproom tonight for a beer release starting at 5pm: “We’re taking over the taps at Bridge City Taproom for the release of our new Juicy IPA and Citrus Zest IPA! Wit, Winter Ale and more will also be on tap. Come hang out and win some swag!”