The 9th annual Winter Beer Fest @ Anderson School

Winter beer is the silver lining to enduring the season. Even better? A festival spotlighting winter brews where you can sample expensive taps and new flavors in a warm, convivial atmosphere — almost like a cozy pub on a cold day. You’re in luck this month, because McMenamins Anderson School is holding its 9th annual Winter Beer Fest at the end of February.

Held in the venue’s largest space, Haynes’ Hall, the event will highlight over 30 winter beers and ciders, plus delectable food specials to nibble, and even cocktails, wine and non-alcoholic options for those who aren’t beer drinkers.

Some of the brews you can look forward to include:

🍺 Great Uncle Jim Barrel Aged Stout, a February staple that is inspired by Irish coffee and is blended with McMenamins Roasters Coffee aged in a McMenamins’ Hogshead Whiskey barrel.

🍺 The Class of 2025, a vanilla cream imperial stout, which premiered for Anderson School’s birthday back in October.

🍺 The Manhattan Project, a brand-new beer inspired by the Manhattan cocktail comprising a blend of cherries with barleywine aged in a McMenamins Billy Wheat Whiskey barrel.

🍺 Fracture Distilled Lord of Misrule, a barrel-aged milk stout with a dessert inspiration every December — the latest of which is banana split. The milk stout was put through a fractional distillation process for a richer, smoother beer that’s a little stronger to boot.

In addition to beer tasting, purchasers of the Brewfest Package can join an onsite brewery tour at 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. Live music will be provided by The Oh Wells, a modern take on classic ‘60s and ‘70s American folk rock, and A Flock of ‘80s, performing new wave ‘80s hits.

So warm up, grab a beer and a bite and find a seat with your fellow beer connoisseurs on the 28th. Prost!