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The weather might suck, but with it comes a plethora of delicious new and returning seasonal brews. With dark ales, in particular, hitting taps in a big way this week.
Big, dark, annual ales like Crux's Tough Love, and Feckin's delicious Top O' The Feckin Mornin' meet new brews like the Collaborator series' Sullivan Stout and an interesting new blueberry lavender sour ale from Culmination, in a week of tap turnover in Portland.
But fans of the light side still have a few things to write home about, including a new place to sample German-influenced brews: The Zoiglhaus. Founded by Pints head brewer Alan Taylor, a little birdie tells us the crispy and light Kölsch is just as delicious as it is in the Fatherland, and pairs perfectly with the sausage platter.
But the belle of this week's beer ball is certainly Cherry Festivus, a celebration of the red pitted fruit that includes 25 plus beers and ciders from around the world, and a cherry stew to boot. This beer event will quickly have you forgetting about the weather—and more concerned about how the heck you are going to get home.
Button up, and try some new brews this week — it's just about winter in Beervana.
Thursday, November 19
Saraveza Meet Clark! Party
The fine folks at Portland's favorite Midwest-themed beer bar celebrate the hiring of their new beer buyer and events coordinator Clark with a beer festival. Featuring special brews from Upright, De Garde, Finnriver and more, it promises to be one heck of a welcome party. PH. Saraveza, 1004 N Killingsworth. 6-9 pm. Free.
Zoiglhaus Grand Opening
A brewery grows in Lents. Discounts on great German-influenced beers from Pints brewer Alan Taylor at a huge new brewhouse, plus balloons, live music and hourly giveaways. MATTHEW KORFHAGE. Zoiglhaus, 5716 SE 92nd Ave. 5 pm. Free.
Widmer Collaborator Sullivan Stout Release Party
Award-winning homebrewer Max Tieger and Widmer Brothers Brewing celebrate a pro/am release, with the first commercially available version of Tieger's Sullivan Stout. A 6% ABV brew with hints of coffee and vanilla, the beer beat out dozens of entries to be selected for the honor, so it should be an impressive pour. PH. Uptown Market. 6620 SW Scholls Ferry Rd. 5-7 pm. Free.
New Belgium Invades Hop & Vine
Colorado's finest large brewery brings a few rare kegs to The Hop and Vine tonight, including a spiced porter with cinnamon, cocoa, and chiles, and a salted caramel brownie brown ale made with Ben and Jerry's ice cream, among other awesome selections. The big guys still do great small things. PH. The Hop & Vine, 1914 N Killingsworth St. 1 pm. Free
Meet The Brewer: Sunriver Brewing Company
The latest brewery to bring brewers and their creations to the Green Dragon for an evening is Sunriver Brewing Company, who come all the way from central Oregon with four beers to try. A seasonal strong ale, Nelson IPA, chocolate milk stout, and Northwest pale ale will be pouring strong, and head brewer Brett Thomas will be on hand to talk about his latest brews. PH. PDX Green Dragon, 928 SE 9th Ave. 5 pm. Free.
Friday, November 20
Top O' the Feckin Mornin' Bottle Release Party
The best brewery in Oregon City releases their world-class imperial milk espresso porter, available for the first time in 22oz bottles. One of the best dark beers in the state, Top O' the Feckin Mornin' is a brew to look for on shelves if you can't make it south of town for an evening. And if you do make it, make sure you have someone to drive you home…this bad boy is 8.5%, but that hides behind a delicious, easy-drinking, facade. PH. Feckin Irish Brewing Co, 415 S McLoughlin Blvd, Oregon City. 5 pm. Free.
Crux Tough Love Release Party
Crux bring out their seasonal big guns up from Bend tonight, offering the first pours of Tough Love, which is a lightly-smoked imperial stout that has been aged in bourbon barrels for nine months. Thick and delicious, the brew is heavy on oak and vanilla, making it a good first pour after a long, hard, week at the office. PH. The Beermongers, 1125 SE Division St. 5 pm. Free.
McPolanders/Culmination Blueberry Lavender Sour Ale Release
Culmination beer taps the first kegs of a collaboration brew made with the McPolanders, Portland's homebrewing sweethearts. A lavender sour ale brewed with hand-picked blueberries, the brew should be fruity and aromatic, the perfect fall zig to the seasonal dark beer zag. PH. Culmination Brewing Company, 2117 NE Oregon St. 6-9 pm. Free.
Saturday, November 21
Cherry Festivus
A celebration of cherry beer that includes rare and artisanal beer and cider from around the world, the Cherry Festivus is a spectacular way to spend a Saturday. With selections from Deschutes, Breakside, The Commons, and Upright, ranging from pink to dark, dark, red, as long as you like cherries, you will be in good hands. Just make sure to save room for some cherry Flemish stew somewhere in the middle of all the tasters. PH. Bazi Bierbrasserie, 1522 SE 32nd Ave. 12-11 pm. $20.
Sunday, November 22
Widmer Brothers Big Chill
The Brothers Widmer release their annual winter brew, Brrr, with much pomp and circumstance, including a snowboard auction, live DJs, and a silent auction that benefits a local non-profit for snowboarding youth. With free admission and free Widmer glassware while supplies last, this the perfect place to grab a brew, and do a little good, on a Sunday. PH. Grand Central Restaurant and Bowling Lounge, 808 SE Morrison St. 9 pm-1 am. Free.
Wednesday, November 25
The Night Before Thanksgiving with Hopworks and New Belgium
Frequent collaborators New Belgium and Hopworks share some special brews in a seasonal show of beer-based gratitude to Portland drinkers. Featuring delicious selections like sour brown ale La Folie, and a bourbon barrel-aged version of Hopworks' already-tasty Abominable winter ale, they sure know how to spread the love. PH. Imperial Bottle Shop and Taproom, 3090 SE Division. 7-11 pm. Free.
Willamette Week