It’s Holiday Ale Festival time again, your chance to get sauced downtown in Pioneer Courthouse Square (hang on, says here they won’t be serving anyone visibly intoxicated. Scratch that). For five days 50-plus winter beers will be there for the tasting, including 16 limited releases; generally, these will be big, robust ales ranging in style from Belgians to stouts—PBR aficionados should probably stay away.

Also happening is the Sunday Beer Brunch, which offers Belgian-style beers not available at the regular festival, and the hosts will be cracking open some large-format vintage bottles. The brunch is European style featuring croissants, cheeses, eggs, salamis and pastries. Be warned the beers, from Brasserie Dubuisson, St Feullien and Dogfish, are strong, between 8.5% and 13%. Note, this is separate from the main event and tickets are needed for both. Pioneer Courthouse Square, 701 SW 6th, December 3–7, 11 am–10 pm (Sunday til 5 pm), $35 (tickets available here in advance, cash only at the door), includes mug and 12 beer tickets; $80 VIP entry (available in advance only), includes 30 beer tickets and access to express lines. Wristbands for both good for all five days. Sunday Beer Brunch, December 7, 11 am–1 pm, $70