With a name like “The Little Woody“, you have to wonder exactly what it is I’m writing about. It’s a Barrel Aged Brew Festival that’s coming to Bend on Saturday, September 12.

This festival will feature hand crafted, wood aged beer as well as one specialty brew from all of Central Oregon’s seven breweries. The Little Woody will be the place to be September 12, 2009. Festival goers will enjoy live music, great food, a wood carving exhibition and beer tastings throughout the day and into the night.

The Little Woody will take place in downtown Bend on the lawn of the Des Chutes Historical Museum located on the corner of Wall Street and Idaho. Event hours are Saturday September 12th from 12pm-10pm. Admission to the event is just $6 and includes a commemorative glass. A tasting package is available for $15 and includes a commemorative glass and tasting tickets. A portion of the event proceeds will benefit the Deschutes Historical Society.

Background: This year’s Bend Brew Fest (which normally happens in mid-August) was canceled for “restructuring” (not the least of which was caused by a conflict with the OLCC), so The Little Woody was initiated in its place. (Actually, I have no idea if TLW was specifically dreamed up to fill in the lack of Fest gap, or if it was already in the works.)

All of Central Oregon’s microbreweries are participating: Deschutes Brewing, Bend Brewing, Cascade Lakes Brewing, Silver Moon Brewing, McMenamins Old St. Francis School, 10 Barrel Brewing, and Three Creeks Brewing.

Of them all, Deschutes is obviously the old hand at barrel-aging beers, but I’m curious and excited to see what the others (particularly Bend Brewing) come up with.

The venue might be a bit worrisome, though; the Historical Museum lawn is decent-sized but a big turnout might be crazy. And the parking will be awful—don’t plan on parking anywhere within three blocks.

Other than that, it should be fun.