Happy Monday! It’s the start of a new week and a fun one at that because Halloween is on Wednesday—have you been drinking pumpkin or other appropriately-themed beer? Here’s the Oregon beer news in the meantime (I’ll try to post themed news as well); as usual I’ll be periodically updating this post throughout the day, so check back often for the latest. And if you have news to share please contact me and I can get that updated.

Worthy Brewing (Bend) is looking to be on track for completion by the end of this year (with beer flowing by January); I posted a construction update (2 photos) this weekend, and if you follow their Facebook page you’ll see a slew of progress on the posted photos. With everything thus far on track, Worthy beer is only a couple of months away!

While not directly related to beer, there are Halloween parties this week (of course!); here are some:

• Double Mountain Brewery (Hood River): Starting at 8:30pm and featuring live music from the Quick and Easy Boys.
• Brewers Union Local 180 (Oakridge): Wear a costume, win a prize, enjoy live music from “Oakridge’s own Kelly Thibodeaux and Norm Coyer” all starting at 7pm.
• Pints Urban Taproom (Portland): They have a pirate-themed party with the release of Black Pearl Cascadian Dark Ale for $3/pint and at 9pm a best costume drawing.

This weekend, Friday and Saturday November 2nd and 3rd, is the first-ever McKenzie Cider & Craft Beer Festival taking place in Springfield at the Willamalane Center. It’s being presented by the McKenzie After 5 Rotary Club and the Springfield Rotary Club: “Proceeds raised will go to Belly-Full, a Rotary project that, in conjunction with Food For Lane County, will help to feed hungry children and their families in Springfield.” Time are 5 to 11pm on Friday, and noon to 11pm on Saturday, with a cost of $15 which gets you the commemorative glass and four tasting tickets. There will of course be food and entertainment, and a good-looking list of breweries and cideries on hand pouring their wares, and some new faces as well. Sounds like a go-to event for the weekend if you’re around Eugene/Springfield.

Double Mountain Brewery (Hood River), in addition to their Halloween party (above) this week, is having an open house this Saturday the 3rd from noon to 3pm. “Join the brewers for a tour of the new expansion, including our brand-new bottling and keg-filling lines.” That would definitely be worth a look—plus there’s always great beer on tap!

Hopworks Urban Brewery (Portland) is releasing a version of their pumpkin ale brewed for last week’s Killer Pumpkin Fest today: “Tonight is the release of Hopworks’ El Gourdo 2: Electric Boogaloo pumpkin ale at both brewpubs. Twenty pounds of organic sugar pumpkins were roasted and added to the mash tun. A subtle spicing of allspice, cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger finish off this memorable harvest ale.”

Belmont Station (Portland): Wednesday, Halloween, they are tapping an appropriate beer for the holiday: Dogfish Head Bitches Brew. “OK, we’re not your Halloween Party Central, AND we’re a bit too laid back here to be spooky, but we thought we’d tap our only keg of this tasty Dogfish Head brew just for those of you who want a little treat without all the trappings.”

McMenamins Old St. Francis School (Bend): On Halloween Wednesday, the limited-edition tasting Curly’s Firkin is featuring Cask-conditioned Black Widow Porter, McMenamins’ Halloween beer. This is a tasty beer—I reviewed it here—so if you can try it on cask, do so! It’s tapped at 5pm and when it’s gone, it’s gone.