Here’s a good way to start the year: with Deschutes Brewery’s Barrel Aged Beer Tasting, coming up on Friday, January 11, taking place at the Brewery’s downtown Pub in the new “Tap Room” space upstairs. It runs from 6 to 9pm and costs $45 per person, which is a good deal considering all that you get:

Cherry BBQ Glazed Suckling Pig
paired with The Stoic

Black Butte Porter Braised Lamb Shank with Shaved Podhopper on Challah Toast
paired with the never released Black Butte XXII

White Bean Calabrese Sausage and Elk Chili with Tillamook White Cheddar
paired with Super Jubel 2012

Caramelized Red Onion and Rogue Creamery Blue Cheese
paired with Cassis Abbey Ale

Spiced Roasted Butternut Squash, Ginger and Brie Strudel
paired with Peche Abbey Ale

Nut Crusted Chocolate Dipped Abyss Cheesecake Lollipops
paired with The Abyss 2011

Normally this is an event which takes place in June, so I’m not sure what prompted a January version. At any rate, tickets are still available online here, and as of this writing there are still plenty (115) left. This is one of the signature Deschutes events so it’s not one to miss if you can help it!