Who’s ready for the weekend? Start by celebrating with National Pizza Day on this Friday, February 9, a perfect food and beer pairing day! Here’s the news for this Pizza Day and the rest of the weekend; as usual, I’ll be periodically updating this post throughout the day with the latest news, so check back often. If you have news to share, please contact me and I can get that posted too.

The 2018 KLCC Brewfest kicks off on Friday, February 9, and runs through Saturday in Eugene! This long-running festival is a benefit for NPR station KLCC 89.7 FM, and this year features 80 breweries and cidermakers pouring over 200 beers and ciders at the Lane Events Center. In addition to those beers, the Eugene-area breweries collaborate every year on a themed beer brewed just for the fest. This year’s theme is “Tour of the World” and they have a wide variety of styles among the 8 different collaboration beers. Times are 5 to 11pm on Friday, and 1 to 11pm on Saturday; online ticket sales are now closed, but at the door they cost $20 for a single day and $25 for both days.

Friday, Feb. 9

Crux Fermentation Project (Bend): Friday the 9th marks the release of Crux’s Freakcake, their fruit-infused, barrel-aged Oud Bruin ale: “It’s time…Freakcake is finally in the bottle and ready to be enjoyed. Being a “brett” fermented, barrel-aged oud bruin, Freakcake is one of those beers that tells you when it’s ready. And there’s no rushing greatness so we waited patiently. The result is always worth the wait, though, so we hope you’ll celebrate with us on Friday, February 9th.” The beer will be available in bottles and on draft all day.

Look Long Brewing in Portland is holding their grand opening party Friday evening from 6 to 9pm! “After an eternity of preparation, perspiration, and fermentation, Look Long Brewing Company is opening for business! We’ve got our first batch of beers kegged and ready to pour. Come on in and grab a pint or two and party with us as we celebrate the opening of the biggest, newest, hottest brewery on the corner of N Interstate Ave and N Liberty St. If you’d like to be a Helpful Kind Of Person, bring in a clothing item or nonperishable food item as a donation and you’ll get some discounted beer. Remember, LLBC is right on the Yellow Max Line, so public transportation is a great option when considering our limited parking lot.”

McMenamins is releasing their latest specialty from the Edgefield Brewery, Blackest Heart Barrel-Aged Cherry Chocolate Coffee Imperial Stout, in bottles this Friday the 9th with release parties at both the Edgefield and the 23rd Avenue Bottle Shop. I tried this at the Old St. Francis School’s High Gravity Fest last month, and it’s a stunningly great beer that is perfect for Valentine’s Day! Here’s the description: “Blackest Heart is a beer made for the grim souls protesting the holiday that celebrates infatuation and tenderness. This particular revolt is a Barrel-Aged Imperial Stout, woefully born from a blend of two unique beers from three different barrels. After the initial blending, this black brew was enhanced with sweet cherries, chocolate and McMenamins cold brew coffee, then aged for over a year in Hogshead Whiskey barrels. It’s dark, indulgent, and hard to resist…so don’t even try.” The Edgefield event takes place from 4 to 7pm, and the Bottle Shop’s is from 6 to 8pm.

Saturday, Feb. 10

Three Creeks Brewing (Sisters): Their annual Beer & Dessert Pairing event takes place on Saturday at 3pm: “Just around the corner from Valentine’s Day, grab a date or a friend, or go stag and treat yourself! Join us, Saturday, February 10th at 3pm for the 6th Annual Beer & Dessert Pairing! We will be featuring some of our absolute favorite dessert beers, with delectable appetizers by head chef, Mark Perry. Gratuity is included with your $25 ticket. Reservations are required. Please call 541.549.1963 for reservations and details.”

Saraveza (Portland) is hosting Corvallis’ Block 15 Brewery for the brewery’s Bourbon Month release on Saturday: “February is Bourbon Month! We’re thrilled to have Block 15 in house for the release of their Bourbon Month beers from 12-5 PM. We’ll have the Super Nebula, Super Nebula Breakfast with Woodford, Super Nebula Double Chocolate with Black Cherry, Kriek a Two Summers Cuvee, Dab Lab Juice Joint and Sticky Hands on tap from 12-5 PM and folks from Block 15 in house. We’ll have a very limited amount of the three bourbon barrel Super Nebulas and Kriek available in bottles to-go as well as plenty of DAB Lab, Sticky Hands, and Gloria! Bottle sales will begin at 3 to not overwhelm our staff and to give everyone a shot at getting one. There is a 1 bottle per person limit on the Super Nebula variants and Kriek. We’ll have a bottle of Woodford Reserve Kentucky straight bourbon whiskey on hand to pair with the Super Nebula and a handful of other specialty whiskies to offer as pairings. We’ll be offering a small food pairing menu and flights of the Nebulas and Kriek.”

Bend’s Broken Top Bottle Shop is celebrating its 6th anniversary this Saturday! Starting at 6pm: “It’s our 6 year anniversary! We couldn’t have done it without all of you and we want to throw a huge party to celebrate. 🎉 We’ll have LIVE MUSIC 🎵 by Laurel Brauns Music from 6-7pm and Eric Leadbetter Music from 7-9pm, food and drink specials, and lots of fun stuff!” Congratulations!!

McMenamins 23rd Avenue Bottle Shop (Portland) is hosting a Rogue Ale beer tasting on Saturday from 2 to 4pm: “Rogue is coming to pour samples of some of their finest ales. A ‘Double Chocolate Stout Straight Outta Newport’ is in your future”

Sunday, Feb. 11

Great Notion Brewing (Portland): They are hosting a Beer & Beignet Breakfast Sunday morning starting at 11am: “Come celebrate #mardigras PDX style with us next Sunday! Starting at 11 am we will be tapping a couple of special brews from our friends at #courtyardbrewery and serving #freshbeignets with beer pairings!”