[Picture courtesy of Guest on Tap]

Bridgeport Brewing will release Raven Mad Imperial Porter on October 23. From the press release: “Aged in bourbon and pinot noir barrels, this brew conjures a unique blend of roasted malts, hints of vanilla and subtle oak flavors.” The 7.3%/50 IBU porter also has some funky stuff going on the label which happens to have some 3D artwork; the beer even comes with 3D glasses [ed: If you’re reading Coors, your ‘frost can liner’ doesn’t hold a candle to this!]. 1,300 cases will be released between Oregon and Washington state. The brewery will also once again release its winter seasonal, Ebenezer, later this month. And does Bridgeport have a new website? It may be the most impressive flash website that I have seen, complete with video describing each of the regular brands.

Fellow Portlanders at Widmer Brothers have their own winter seasonal coming up soon, too, the first new one they have put out in four years, according to the recent press release. Or is it? In snooping around, I realized that this brew was revealed back in April at a private press event, and according to The Beer Here’s John Foyston, “is actually a reprise of the W’06 Northwest Red Ale.” Beervana contributed his thoughts on the whole thing noting a lack of balance in the former version. It will be interesting to see if it is the exact same beer or a reformulation.

Anyway, “Brrr will be available on shelves and on tap in 17 select markets across the U.S. from the last week of October through the first week of January.” 7.15% ABV.

On a side note, Portlandbeer.org’s new regional Beer Finder shows a lot of potential.