We’re halfway through the week and I hope it’s going well for you. Here is the Oregon beer news for hump day, Wednesday the 15th. 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.

McMenamins Cedar Hills (Beaverton) has a limited-edition beer tasting today starting at 6pm, celebrating the new year with El Padre Noël, a 7.5% abv winter warmer: “Feliz Navidad and Happy New Year! The El Padre Noël is a fun, south of the boarder twist on our famous Kris Kringle winter seasonal ale. Infused with the perfect amount of serrano and jalapeño peppers, this beer is the perfect winter warmer.”

Uptown Market (Beaverton): Brewpublic reports that Uptown Market is finally brewing and serving their own beer, expanding on their bottleshop presence—and becoming the only actual brewery in Beaverton in the process. “Led by Head Brewy, Jason Rowley, Uptown Market currently has three of their house beers on tap. These three include Stop Work Stout (Dry Stout), Uptown Session Ale (India Session Ale) and Otis Reddin’ (Imperial Oatmeal Red).  Their next release will be an extra special bitter ale (ESB). Then their goal by mid-summer is to release two additional beers to bring their grand total to 6 beers.” There are of course pub options in Beaverton—McMenamins Cedar Hills which I just highlighted above, and Golden Valley Brewery’s Beaverton location—but it’s always cool to see another option.

Worthy Brewing (Bend): Their first Imperial Stout, Dark Muse, is being released on tap and in bottles: “Introducing Worthy’s Dark Muse, our hearty, creamy and voluptuous Imperial Stout.  This is a beer for the thinker. The ponderer. It’s made to be sipped, cradled and inhaled, slowly, methodically, and deliberately. It’s meant to satisfy that yearning for answers, for cutting through the clutter, for breaking things down, and for connecting the dots.” It’s a monstrous 10.1% abv, keep an eye out for bottles to land soon.

Cascade Brewing (Portland) has a limited winter warmer on tap now: “Defroster now on tap at the Barrel House! This seasonal one-off is a fiery orange hued citrus spiced winter warmer. Aromas of spicy marmalade and candied fruit dance in the nose. Brewers Gold and Fuggle hops impart earthy spice and fruity notes on the palate. The finish is of malts, with ample bitterness from the spicy Golding hops and orange peel. 6.9%, $5.5 Imperial Pint”

The Platypus Pub (Bend) is hosting a beer tasting tonight with Ashland’s Caldera Brewing from 6 to 8pm: “Caldera Brewing will be coming to Platypus Pub on Wednesday January 15th to do a tasting from 6 to 8. Ray will be sampling a few of their beers from the Ashland Brewery. We will be pouring three of your favorites, Dry Hop Orange, Chocolate Coconut Porter and Mogli Imperial Chocolate Porter off our taps.”