Portland Oregon Events...
Fall/Winter 2006

Enjoy a sumptuous holiday feast with Ebenezer Scrooge, and support a local child in the process

PORTLAND, Ore. - Oct. 17, 2006 - Of all the good seasons of the year, none are finer than that of the holidays. So it is with great pleasure that BridgePort Brewing Co. presents the fourth annual "Evening with Ebenezer." The event will take place on Dec. 16 from 6 to 9 p.m. in the Heritage Room at the bridgeport brewpub + bakery, located at 1313 NW Marshall St. Tickets cost $50 per person, with proceeds benefiting the Franny Fund, a community trust that helps pay for the uninsured medical treatment costs for Franny Cabler, a local six-year-old with cerebral palsy.

"An Evening with Ebenezer" combines dinner and live theater in an intimate, convivial setting where sumptuous decorations abound, delivering attendees into the timeless magic of the season. The event features a three-course feast, with each course complemented by a handcrafted BridgePort ale. Throughout the meal, Ebenezer Scrooge of Charles Dickens' immortal tale "A Christmas Carol" delivers an authentic reading of the enduring holiday classic. Scrooge is portrayed by Joe Cronin, a well-regarded Portland actor who has played a variety of roles for the regional theater.

Doors for the event open at 6 p.m. The first course begins at 6:30 p.m. The event is limited to ages 21 and over. For reservations or additional information, call Christine Bradbury, 503-241-7179.

BridgePort Brewing Co. presents the event in appreciation of its award-winning winter seasonal BridgePort Ebenezer Ale, a rich, full-bodied ale that is deep mahogany in color, crowned with a creamy head and finished with a festive warmth. This ale is made with four kinds of roasted malts, local and imported hops and is naturally conditioned. The beer was named a silver medal winner at the 2002 prestigious Brewing Industry International Awards competition in London.

The Franny Fund currently pays for Cabler's therapy, but the goal is that it will grow to support more children, in the hope that every child with a disability will have the same opportunities as any person in our community. In the last year, Franny Fund monies went directly to Neurotheraputics, Forward Stride, Therasuit, Theratog, Nada chair, and TES. By supporting the companies that provide these therapies and products, it ensures these services and products remain in demand, making them less expensive and more available to everyone, while putting pressure on insurance companies to cover alternative therapies. For more information, visit www.frannyfund.org.

As Oregon's oldest craft brewery, BridgePort is celebrating its 22nd anniversary this year. The brewery has reached this milestone by evolving from a microbrewery to a regional leader in the craft brewing market, while remaining faithful to its commitment to producing high-quality, innovative craft ales that are true to their heritage. BridgePort's ales are distributed in Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Georgia, Idaho, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, New Mexico, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Oregon, Tennessee, Texas, and Washington. The brewery is located at 1313 N.W. Marshall St. in Portland. To learn more, visit www.bridgeportbrew.com or call 503.241.7179.

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Deck the Halls with mugs of beer at the Holiday Ale Festival, the most prestigious winter beer sampling opportunity on the West Coast.

PORTLAND, Ore. - Sept. 24, 2006 - The Holiday Ale Festival is a joyous tradition among beer lovers who treasure the big beers of winter. The event, which is the only beer festival in the Northwest to be held outdoors in the dark, cold and often wet month of Dec., will pour more than three-dozen robust winter craft brews this year, creating the most prestigious winter beer sampling opportunity on the West Coast.

The 11th annual Holiday Ale Festival will begin on Thursday, Nov. 30, and continue through Sunday, Dec. 3 at Pioneer Courthouse Square, located at 701 SW Sixth Ave at the intersection of SW Broadway and Yamhill streets. Hours for the event are 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Thursday through Saturday, and Noon to 6 p.m. on Sunday. Admission into the venue is free. A one-time purchase of a 2006 souvenir mug, required for tasting beer, costs $4. Patrons pay $4 for each full mug of beer or $1 for a taste.

Despite chilly temperatures and often-inclement weather outside, attendees stay warm and dry under a large clear tent that covers the venue while allowing for views of the city lights. Gas heaters create a cozy ambience under the boughs of one of the region's largest decorated Christmas trees.

In addition to beer tasting, the Holiday Ale Festival also features on-site food, craft vendors selling unique handmade gifts, beer merchandise, complimentary sodas for minors and designated drivers, mead sampling, and seasonal background music.

Returning to the event is the third annual Brewers Brunch, taking place on Dec. 3 from 10 a.m. to Noon on the upper level of Pioneer Courthouse Square. The auxiliary event features breakfast and an assortment of local and imported winter beers not available at the festival itself. Tickets cost $30 and are available at www.holidayale.com.

The roots of brewing special winter and holiday beers trace back to the mythologies of Greece and Rome. The pagan celebrations of the winter solstice marked the return of light to the world, and triumphant ale was brewed to mark the occasion.

Today, these "winter warmers" ward off the chill of winter and warm both the palate and soul. Complex in aroma and flavor, these heavier beers are big in body and high in alcohol. Thanks to an extra dose of malt, most of these beers are rich and bold, with chocolate, caramel or coffee flavors; others benefit from the addition of herbs, spices, and fruit. In keeping with the flavors of the season, there are often hints of nutmeg, cinnamon, and clove in the brew.

The beer names are clever, and often as enjoyable as the quaffs: past offerings have included Auld Nutcracker, Ebenezer, Santa's Little Helper, Tannen Bomb, Blitzen, Sled Crasher, Wreck the Halls, Blizzard of Oz, and Rudolph's Wild Oats.

The event is immediately on the MAX Light Rail Line. Minors are allowed when accompanied by a parent, but must leave the premises by 7 p.m. Animals are not allowed (except ADA). For more information about the Holiday Ale Festival or the Brewers Brunch, visit www.holidayale.com or call 503-252-9899.

Media Contact: Chris Crabb, Crabbsoup Public Relations, 503-314-7583, crabbsoup@comcast.net