TGIF! Are you ready for the weekend? We are now halfway through the month of November and the holidays are fast approaching. For this weekend, here’s the news in Oregon beer. As usual, I’ll be periodically updating this post throughout the day, so check back often. And if you have news to share, please contact me and I can get that posted as well.

Claim 52 Brewing (Eugene) is one year old and they are celebrating their birthday today from 5 to 9pm: “Friday from 5PM-9PM COME CELEBRATE WITH US!!! We will be celebrating our first year in operation with LIVE MUSIC from Manouche Noir, Swag Raffles, Bacon Nation Food Truck, Beers on the $2 Tower, and a very special beer release.” Congrats on the first year! And if you’re in the Eugene area today swing by and show them some love.

Three Creeks Brewing (Sisters): Tonight is the release of their winter seasonal ale, Rudolph’s Imperial Red, their 8.5% abv hop-forward strong ale, which is kicking off at 6pm. A bit about this year’s vintage: “This 2013 vintage of our annual holiday release is brewed with 8 specialty malts. Bravo, Centennial, Crystal and Chinook hops in the kettle balance the candy-like malt sweetness while a dry hop blend with Amarillo hops adds a fruity aroma.” And, mark your calendars for Saturday, December 7th because that’s when Three Creeks’ 3rd annual Rudolph’s Imperial Red Vertical Tasting is taking place. It’s $25 per person and you get appetizers along with four years of Rudolph’s: 2013, 2012, 2011 and a barrel-aged 2010.

Bailey’s Taproom (Portland) is holding their 4th annual BelgianFest this Saturday—tomorrow!—starting at 2pm, and featuring “over 20 Belgian style beers brewed by Oregon breweries” (such a good taplist posted). There’s no entry fee or tokens required for the beer, but if you want to get in early they have a VIP deal available: “We have a limited number of VIP tickets for $25. These tickets include five 4oz pours but also allow entrance two hours earlier from 12-2 PM, providing a less frenzied experience as well as guaranteeing a seat somewhere in a far less crowded bar.” You can purchase those directly on their site.

Coalition Brewing (Portland) is releasing a winter Imperial Stout tomorrow named, aptly enough, Bring out the Imp. “This Saturday, November 16th, join Coalition Brewing for the release of “Bring Out the Imp”, Imperial stout! The newest large batch release from Coalition, this Imperial Stout is designed to keep you warm at night and a smile on your face all winter. A nose of cocoa, cherry, and a whisper of smoke prepares you for flavors of coffee, chocolate, and dark fruit. At 8.5% ABV and 70 IBU, this beer is displays incredible balance and drinkability. All in all the perfect winter treat!”

On Sunday out at the Portland Meadows horse racing track, they are holding their Oregon Craft Beer Fest from 11:30 to 4:30pm, with free admission. “In conjunction with Oregon Championship Day we will also host our Oregon Craft Beer Fest on Sunday November 17, 2013. The Oregon Craft Beer Fest will feature state-wide samples and delicious winter selections and will take place primarily inside the grandstand on the mainline. Additional beers will also be available in the outdoor Beer-B-Q tent.” Three ounce samples will be $1 each (in the form of tickets of course) with full 12-ounce pours costing $4. Beer and horse racing, should make for an interesting Sunday!

Today is the release day for McMenamins annual Christmas beer, Kris Kringle, and it’s pouring at all McMenamins locations from now until (at least) December 24. “This year’s version of Kris Kringle is a hearty and robust ale with a big and bold malt complexity as well as an intense and flavorful hop profile. This “winter warmer” highlights the rich, toasty, aromatic and chocolaty malt flavors as its very sturdy foundation. Generous amounts of four different hop varieties were added in five different additions that delivers a magnificent and massive hop assault. There’s still some ginger and cinnamon added into the batch but the spices are a little more subdued than in years’ past.” It’s 6.84% abv and as of today I have a growler of it waiting for me to taste, courtesy of McMenamins (more on that in another post).

Solstice Brewing (Prineville): They have their new seasonal ale going on tap that sounds pretty heavy duty: “Our new seasonal “Winterschnocker” will be on tap today. Starting gravity of 1.083 and a final gravity 1.017. That means 9.25% abv. Cheers!”