Beer Hall: Fire and Brimstone, Belgian Fest, and the Bodhizafa Victory Lap

Portland Beer Events for the Week of November 11, 2016.

Let's face facts.

With all that's going on, everyone in this city could use a beer. Or several.

For that, you're in luck. GABF-winning hoppy ales appear, as does a healthy dose of self-loathing brews, in the form of a massive number of smoked and chili beers. But if you just want something strong, head one down to Beliganfest, where high-alcohol ales are sure to boost your spirits, at least until the morning.

Friday, November 11

Bodhizafa Victory Lap

Georgetown Brewing's Great American Beer Festival-topping IPA hits the taps at NWIPA this weekend, along side other wonderful Seattle-made ales and lagers tapped just in time to drown the sorrows of the work week (and election season). Get there early, given the circumstances, we expect the good stuff to go soon. N.W.I.P.A., 6350 SE Foster Rd. 6-9 pm. Free.

Saturday, November 12

Fire and Brimstone

Saraveza's annual celebration of smokey and spicey beers may be sans Hop & Vine this year, due to the closure of the fellow Killingsworth beer spot, but it emerges from the ashes with some fantastic rare options. Beers like Bell's Smoked Stout coalesce with jalepeno cream ales and a spicy hot tepache from Reverend Nat's, filling the Packers bar with more sweat than the average Sunday game time. Saraveza, 1004 N Killingsworth St. 11 am-12 am, November 12. Free.

Belgianfest VII

The seventh year of Bailey's Belgian-inspired celebration includes several new innovations. This year, the beer bar uses the event to launch the first of its Hausbier releases, a year-round series which begins with a Belgian lager from The Commons. They also start a special "fest withing a fest" at The Upper Lip, showcasing six of the finest American sour cherry ales they could get their hands on. With the typically amazing taplist also blessing the downstairs, there's a heck of a lot to drown your sorrows with this Saturday. Bailey's Taproom, 213 SW Broadway. 12-11:55 pm.

Cider Riot! Grand Opening

The Cider Riot! pub has been open quietly for a while, but they've decided it's time to be open loudly. They'll be throwing down verticals of the so-good-it-makes-life-seem-sad-somehow 1763 West Country-style cider, plus a potent cocktail of drinking cultures: tequila-barrel-aged Irish cider and six drafts. Cider Riot!, 807 NE Couch St. 12-9 pm. Free.

McMenamins 23rd Avenue Bottle Shop Anniversary

Limited-edition taster trays, prizes, and big discounts hit 23rd Ave's best bottle shop this weekend, in celebration of a solid year in business. That makes this your go-to, to-go option. McMenamins 23rd Avenue Bottle Shop, 2290 NW Thurman St. 11 am-10 pm. Free.

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