Zwickelmania planned for February 2013; Beer Czar meet Beerzaar

The Beer Czar sends word that finally in 2013 Salem will have official Zwickelmania activities planned!

Timed to coincide with Oregon's birthday in February, the fifth anniversary edition offers tours and tasting at Oregon breweries. In years past Salem has been absent, but this year, the Czar reports on Facebook, tours will take place in town on

11am-4pm Saturday February 16th 2013. The whole event is anchored around a "beer bus" which stops about once an hour at each brewery bringing people from one brewery to the next....Participating breweries are Santiam Brewing, Gilgamesh, Big Horn, Thompson's McMenamins and Pale Horse.

Also coming in today is news about a holiday festival at the new Gilgamesh pub on December 2nd. There's two Beer Czars/Zaars now! We're not sure how many outside craft vendors there will be - but hey, it sounds like a great time. And the dueling names a sure sign the beer scene is growing and maturing.