Widmer and I go way back. It began innocently enough with Hefeweizen. Pretty ubiquitous around the west coast, it taught me many years ago that there was beer that was actually good. Drop Top was decent for parties, and then came Snow Plow. When I first moved up to Beervana, I wish just giddy for the thick and tasty Snow Plow during the winters.

But as time wore on, and I tried more and more beer, I began to notice the flaws in Widmer. The Hefe was just a touch too bland and overdone. The Drop Top was well, not so great for parties anymore, and the Snow Plow tasted like a burned tree. And so, like that girl in college who pasted a “I didn’t really want to break up, I just wanted to scare you into being more serious” note to my apartment door, Widmer and I were done.

And so it was with Brrr. I wanted to give the local boys another shot, after all, the bottle wrapper was excellent. I poured a glass and drank. At first, it was good. Crisp, a little bite, but tasty. But then I drank more, and the bite continued. With one last swig I tried ot give it a go, and it had just turned undrinkable. I can’t explain exactly what it was. It may as well pasted a note as well, cause I just wasn’t able to take it any more.

I know I can be a cranky drinker, but this one at least is coroberated by Chris of Ruby McGowan, who caught me in the hall to remark that he too had a quick break up … and that he has a winter ale brewing as we speak.

So the lesson to take away is this, no matter how fancy her wrapper is, she has to be smooth on the inside. No wait. No matter how fancy her wrapper is, the second time down she’ll start to bite. No wait thats worse…er…dont drink bad beer.

Deschutes Brewery’s Mirror Pond has become the default beer in my fridge lately. If I am stymied by the myriad of choices at my local New Seasons Mirror Pond is always there to fill in the blank. It is also featured on tap or in bottles Noodles & Co. to P.F. Chang’s making it a safe bet when out on the town (and dragged to a place without good beer).

While out doing ‘research’ with my design team in NW Portland we passed by the newly opened Deschutes Brew Pub on NW 11th and Davis. We were orginally planning on going to Everett Street Bistro for Mussels and Fries ,supposedly the best in Portland. I was game but unsure if this Belgian concoction was going to live up to the ‘hype’ (or as much hype you can give to mussels and fries). As it turned out, they don’t serve that anymore at Everett Street Bistro (sorry mussels and fries fans) so I talked the boys in to giving Deschutes a try.

I’ve happened past the historic location several times during the restoration and have always loved the building. The white brick and windows speak to a time before art galleries and hipster clothing stores. The machine shops and industrial supply stores near there are dissappearing fast but I can’t argue with progress. The Bearing Service Co up the street is still hanging on (I can remember getting the crank of my Skylark machined there) but I have to admit it kind of sticks out.

Deschutes did an amazing job of retaining the aethetic of the area’s past while creating a unique experience. It finds a niche between the refinement of Bridgeport (I liked it better before the remodel) and the roughness of Rogue’s brew pub. Handcarved wood, couch-like seating, plaid carpet, and eclectic artwork create a complex experience that is indicative of the Deschutes brand.

I wanted to try the Trip Hop but they didn’t have it on tap so my choice for beer was Fresh Hopped Mirror Pond. I figured it was appropriate since Mirror Pond is always my defacto choice in a pinch. The fresh hops added a green, hoppy hit to the beer as expected making a familiar favorite that much better. Along with crispy tortolini (which was tasty but more of an appetizer than a meal), my lunch at Deschutes was excellent.

It came with a gimmick. A 3D label with its very own glasses. When a beer feels the need to be so playful, you have to wonder if its hiding a dirty secret. In this case, the 3D glory of a raven pecking at the New Belgium brewers (ok I made that bit up) … had nothing to hide. This porter is awesome.

And with such great offerings as Haymaker, Stumptown Tart and Raven Mad, I officially declare Bridgeport to be the current holder of the coveted Frosty Goodness Awesomenessest Brewery Award. Congratulations to you and all of us who can drink your expert brews.

As for Raven Mad itself: it’s a strong tasty porter. Strong in the way porters can be, but then smooth and warm without any nasty sharp aftertaste. Plus, it’s oppresively dark, too dark to see through (which earns it bonus points for me).

This November 4th, vote Bridgeport. Because all these TV ads are making me ……… (wait for it) …….. Raven Mad.