McMenamins breweries, taprooms, hotels, and music venues are settling in to the fall-winter season with a festive lineup of new beers and ciders, and a new holiday festival coming to downtown Portland. The Portland-founded brewpub empire now has 56 (!) locations across Oregon and Washington, with more than a dozen unique breweries, cideries, wineries, and a distillery among them, many producing exceptional and unique winter beverages in a bevvy of styles and flavors.
Fall/Winter Beer & Cider releases:
Black Widow Porter (available now)
Originally created at the McMenamins Thompson Brewery on October 15, 1991, Black Widow weaves a tangled web which now envelops all McMenamins. This dark, smooth ale is packed full of the robust notes afforded by generous amounts of roasted grains and further spirited with ethereal wisps of caramel and licorice.
Malts: Bairds Pale, Munich, Wheat, Bairds Dark Crystal, Flaked Barley, Black, Roast
Hops: Horizon, Palisade
Special Ingredients: Shaved Licorice Root
ABV: 7.10
Barrel-Aged Black Widow – (available now)
This one off version of our beloved Black Widow Porter has been aged in a Hogshead Whiskey barrel for four weeks and has developed some wonderful characteristics of oak and whiskey that melt together with the already complex flavors of Black Widow.
Malts: Pale, Wheat, Munich, Flaked Barley, Black, Roast, Dark Crystal
Hops: Chinook, Golding
ABV: 7.22
Class of 2026: Chocolate Chipotle Imperial Stout – (available now)
Brewed to celebrate Anderson School's anniversary, Class of 2026 is a robust and tasty Imperial stout that's strong, dark and made with chipotle peppers and liquid cocoa to give it an earthy, zesty decadence and just the barest hint of heat.
Special Ingredients: Chipotle Peppers, Capsicum Extract, Choliq
Malts: Golden Promise, Munich Type 2, Flaked Barley, Brown, Chocolate, Carafa
Hops: GR Blanc
ABV: 9%
Crangerine Dream Cider – (available now)
This seasonal offering is a bright garnet color with citrus and cranberry notes that pair perfectly with holiday meals and nights with friends.
ABV: 6.7%
Kris Kringle holiday ale – (Releases 11/13/2026)
In the spirit of the original jolly old elf and his nocturnal ramblings, McMenamins brewers have created a namesake beer, Kris Kringle. Toasty caramel and fig flavors evoke holiday delights, while two hop varieties, Simcoe and Mosaic, added in multiple stages deliver the gift of intense hop flavor and aroma. Happy Holidays!
Malts: Northwest Pale, Munich, Wheat, Caramel Steam, Crystal 150, Baird's Chocolate Malt
Hops: Simcoe, Mosaic
ABV: 6.84%
Longest Night Barrel Aged Barleywine – (Releases 11/13/2026)
Aged in Hogshead Whiskey barrels, it’s a true example of a classic, barrel-aged English Barleywine. Formidable and complex, it offers flavors of toffee, caramel, and a warming alcohol character that's been rounded and accentuated by notes of raisin, vanilla, and oak from its aging.
Imperial Cuvee – (Releases 11/14/2026)
This sensational co-ferment, made from 60% PNW apple cider and 40% Muscat from Owl Ranch Vineyard in Willamette Valley, will have you questioning what really is in your glass. With notes of jasmine, honeysuckle, and lychee, this dry concoction is tart and refreshing with a crisp finish.
Special Techniques: Co-Ferment
ABV: 9%
Barrel-Aged Terminator – (Releases 11/19/2026)
This ebony-colored ale pours with a thick, creamy, long-lasting head and great barrel character. The flavor is a fantastic fusion of coffee-like roasted barley and semi-sweet chocolate accented by whiskey spirit, oak and vanilla.
Rubinator – (Releases 11/19/2026)
Rubinator is a frequently seen combination of our classic Terminator Stout and Ruby, our standard Raspberry Ale. This concoction is usually mixed at the tap, but for this special batch, we infused these two in the keg. Enjoy the sweet interplay of the roasted malt yin and raspberry sweet yang: balance in a glass.
Malts: 2-Row, Munich, Crystal 40, Black, Chocolate Malt, Rolled Oats
Hops: Chinook, Cascade
ABV: 5.29%
Pomegranate Cider – (Releases 12/14/2026)
Crafted with those unexpectedly gorgeous winter sunny days and the warming weather in mind. The tartness of the pomegranate is balanced with the crispness and sweetness of the apple, making for a refreshing quaff rain or shine.
ABV: 6.5%
5th Floor IPA – (Releases 12/28/2026)
Named for the peculiar, diminutive fifth floor of the Tacoma Elks Temple, this IPA is shrouded in mysticism. Your experience will begin with aromas of grapefruit, orange and bright pine. Vibrant citrus flavors abound with earthy undertones and spice, providing noticeable balance. Let 5th Floor IPA be your guide as you hunt for this hidden level, and through any other quest your heart desires.
Malts: Superior Pilsen, Crystal 15
Hops: Chinook, Simcoe, Amarillo, Cascade
ABV: 6.45%
Holiday Bazaar Brewfest
McMenamins Crystal, 1332 W Burnside, Portland, OR 97209
Inaugural Holiday Bazaar Brewfest is coming to the Crystal Ballroom in downtown Portland, taking over the venue, as well as Lola’s bar and Ringlers West pubs from 1pm to 7pm on Saturday, November 28th.
This 21+ only event is part brewfest and part holiday market.
Shop while you sip on beer, cider, cocktails, wine and more! We will have 40+ products to sample and 30+ local artisan vendors for shopping. Holiday music will set the vibe and Santa will be there! Wear your ugliest holiday sweater and celebrate with four floors of fun.
Tickets include 10 tokens and a festival glass
For a limited time, Cosmic Tripsters can get a bonus with their Holiday Bazaar Brewfest tickets. Just select the Cosmic Tripster ticket type and you’ll get two additional tasting tokens when you show your completed Passport at brewfest check-in. Tripster tickets will only be available until October 9, so get your tickets now!
Music by Baz Moto, Josh Cole Band, and The Lauries
Advanced tickets available here