THE BEER NUT: Night Shift, Widowmaker breweries host parties this weekend

Night Shift Brewing of Everett and Widowmaker Brewing Company of Braintree host two different types of celebrations Saturday. And, Wormtown Brewery in Worcester will host the release of a very special beer next month.

There are two great events this week for you beer lovers – you can choose to get your ooompah on or help celebrate a brewery's first birthday.

First, Widowmaker Brewing Company of Braintree is turning 1, and they're hosting a party at the 220 Wood Road taproom Saturday from noon to 10 p.m.

The event will feature some of Widowmaker’s favorites, such as Blue Comet IPA, Donut Shop Coffee Stout and Martin & Lewis Milkshake IPA.

Widowmaker will also have five special releases for the party: Bourbon-barrel aged com-RAD Russian Imperial Stout, 100 Year Storm (triple IPA), Old Oaken Farmhouse Saison, DDH (double dry-hopped), Ecstasy of Gold with Galaxy IPA and Martin & Cherry Lewis Milkshake (being tapped at 3 p.m.).

Unrelated to these beers, I recently had an opportunity to try several Widowmaker beers, and they were all fantastic.

Along with the beer, Sarcastic Swine BBQ will be there all day providing food.

The first 50 people to make a purchase at the party will receive a complimentary Widowmaker 1st birthday stemmed beer glass.

Also on Saturday, Night Shift Brewing of Everett will be hosting its Oktoberfest from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. at its 87 Santilli Highway taproom.

Special beers being tapped include Steinbier (Marzen-style lager), Lounge Act (smoked lager) Storm & Drive (black lager) and Pfaffenheck (pilsner).

The TubaFrau Hofbrau Band, a traditional German-style group of musicians, will perform during the event.

There will also be several food trucks all day including Gastros401, Daddy’s Bonetown Burgers, Caldwell Confections and Speakeasy Donuts.

Beers will be served in Oktoberfest steins, which will also be available for purchase.

And now, here’s a little info about one of the most wonderful beer days of the year, the annual Norm Day at Wormtown Brewery.

Full-disclosure, if you don’t know, Norm the beer is named after yours truly. Long story about why, but I do not get paid to attend the event (other than a few free bottles of the beer) or for them to use my image on the label.

Anyhow, Norm Day will be held at the Wormtown Brewery, 72 Shrewsbury St., Worcester, on Oct. 13.

Doors to the taproom open at noon for Norm on tap and bottle sales, but the party begins at 2 p.m. in the back area of Wormtown.

For those who haven’t had Norm, it’s a chocolate-coconut oatmeal stout that is released once a year. To celebrate its release, there will be an all-day Luau party.

Along with Norm beer, Wormtown will break out some rare beers from the basement. There will also be Norm Day merchandise for sale, live music from SPF4 and other bands and a cornhole game. Food will also be available.

Come and hang out with me. If you’re lucky, I’ll let you hug me. The party ends at 9 p.m.

Norman Miller can be reached at 508-626-3823 or nmiller@wickedlocal.com. For beer news and info, follow Norman Miller on Twitter and Instagram @RealBeerNut or on Facebook at facebook.com/NormanMillerBeerNut.