McMenamins breweries may rely on vintage classic pubs with eccentric decor as the focus of their business model, but their brewers are not ones to sit with only old school staples, instead they are constantly mixing things up and trying new things. Now that we are deep into the fall season and approaching winter, McMenamins brewers have released a bunch of experimental new beers and have some returning dark and barrel-aged favorites to highlight.

Local McMenamins pubs and bottleshops are ripe with new brews, like crisp Ghost Rabbit Pilsner in 16oz cans, their first foray into non-alcoholic drinks with sparkling Ruby-infused Hop Water, or the lush Cheshire Orange Liqueur. And if in Washington, look for the Anderson Class of 2023 collaboration beer brewed with wine grapes.

Starting this weekend McMenamins 23rd Ave. Bottleshop is the place to go for special releases, gifts, and tasting flights for the holidays, and this Saturday, November 18th marks the NW Portland taprooms 8th Anniversary. These are some of the beers and events to look forward to in November and December, 2023.

Barrel-Aged Terminator Stout

Release Party: November 17th 4-6pm at McMenamins 23rd Ave Bottleshop

McMenamins classic Terminator Stout that was aged in their Hogshead Whiskey barrels for a delicious one-off. It is a very dark, ebony-colored stout with a thick, creamy, long lasting head - now with great barrel character. The flavor is a fantastic fusion of coffee-like roasted barley, semi-sweet chocolate and some whiskey spirit, oak and vanilla.

Special Techniques: Whiskey Barrel Aged
Malts: 2-Row, Munich, C-40, Black, Chocolate Malt
Hops: Chinook, Cascade
ABV: 8.5 IBU: 35

McMenamins 23rd Ave. Bottleshop 8th Anniversary

Saturday, November 18th 10am - 10pm
2290 NW Thurman St, Portland, OR, United States, Oregon

McMenamins bottleshop and taproom on NW 23rd is unique in the McMenamins empire as it is not a restaurant, and it features the great beers, wines, ciders, and gifts from outside of the company and around the country. The great beer bar and bottleshop is turning 8, and celebrating with special beer release: Bottle Shop Birthday Reserve No. 8: Barrel Aged Blonde Stout, available by the glass or in a “Birthday Taster Tray” featuring Birthday Reserve No. 8, Birthday Reserve No. 7 & a mini blondie bar $10. The shop will also celebrate with 20% off Bottle Shop logo merchandise.

About Bottle Shop Birthday Reserve No. 8
For this year's Bottle Shop Birthday Reserve we decided to celebrate with a blondie inspired Blonde Stout! Barrel Aged in a Hogshead Whiskey Barrel with rum soaked vanilla beans.
ABV: 8%

Longest Night of the Year

Event: Thursday, December 21st 5pm - 12am
McMenamins 23rd Ave. Bottleshop

Celebrate the winter solstice and the longest night of the year for a shopping and drinking event with some amazing specials You'll get Happy Hour drink pricing and progressive discounts throughout the evening. Plus, a special Longest Night of the Year Barleywine taster tray!

• 5 pm-Midnight: 20% off Bottle Shop logo merchandise

• 7 pm-Midnight: 20% off all apparel

• 9 pm- Midnight: 20% off all McMenamins logo merchandise

• 11 pm-Midnight: 20% all guest bottled beer and cider to go

• Just for fun Passport stamp with any purchase!

Longest Night Taster Tray
2022 Whiskey Longest Night, 2022 Port Longest Night, 2022 Rum Longest Night, 2023 Whiskey Longest Night, 2023 Port Longest Night & 2023 Rum Longest Night.

Ghost Rabbit Pilsner

Classic and crisp, Ghost Rabbit is a Bohemian-style Pilsner with bright golden colors, noble hop aromas and a bready malt character.

Malts: Pilsen, Munich, Chit Malt

Hops: Tettnanger, Sterling

ABV: 5.03% 

Anderson School Class Of 2023: Oenobeer

Class of 2023 is a an oenobeer- a beer brewed with wine grapes. This year's release is a blended golden ale augmented with 30% Alder Ridge, WA cabernet sauvignon grape juice, spontaneously fermented and aged six months in French oak. It's light red in color, tart with good structure, and a light tannic astringency lent from the grapes but balanced by a cereal, bready sweetness from its malty base.

Special Techniques: French Oak Barrel Aged

Fruit: Cabernet Sauvignon Grapes

ABV: 8.77%  

Cheshire Orange Liqueur

Orange liqueur was born from the bitter peels of Seville oranges grown on the island of Curaçao in the late 17th century. The spirit reached new heights when the French began using pot still Brandy to structure the liqueur 200 years later. Now, after many seasons of relentless experimentation, McMenamins is proud to offer our vision of this fine liqueur in Cheshire Orange. From the aged brandy distilled in our century old Charente Alembic pot still, to the select blend of Seville and sweet orange peels, to the ethereal spices and pure agave nectar that bind everything together, Cheshire Orange is crafted to be the richest and most elevating orange liqueur. Playful oranges dance atop an old cognac still, courting local brandy until all that remains is their grin.

ABV - 40% alcohol by volume, 80 proof

Non-Alcoholic Sparkling Ruby Citra Hop Infused Water

Citra hop oil dances with lemon and raspberry, bringing lush tropical fruit flavors to this refreshing sparkling water.

ABV – 0%