Here’s the news in Oregon beer for Thursday, the 18th of April. As usual, I’ll be periodically updating this post throughout the day, so check back often for the latest news. If you have news to share, please contact me and I can get that posted as well.

BridgePort Brewing (Portland): Today is the release party for this year’s version of Stumptown Tart, taking place at their pub from 5:30 to 8pm and it’s sounding like quiet a party: “We’re hosting a Stumptown Tart release party Thursday, April 18 from 5:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. at the BridgePort Brewpub in Portland. Be among the first to sample this new beer while supplies last. As guests are enjoying their first taste, bottle model Bernie Dexter will be puckering up at the Stumptown Tart kissing booth. For $1, guests can snag a smooch from the Stumptown Tart herself and have their bottle signed by the well-known pin-up model. All Donations will go to The American Cancer Society.”  This year’s Stumptown Tart includes the addition of blueberries for the first time.

Belmont Station (Portland): Tonight they are featuring a tasting and meet the brewer with Carlton’s Fire Mountain Brewery from 5 to 8pm: “Taste the brand new version of Tan Line, an IPA created specially for spring and summer days. Plus, try the Steam Fired Stout, Oregon Pale Ale, Bad Henry IPA, and Bogart IPA. And swap a few stories with the always fun Henry Gorgas, your brewmaster/host for this fine tasting!”

The Green Dragon (Portland) is hosting a meet the brewer and tasting tonight with Widmer Brothers Brewing tonight starting at 5pm (with the meet the brewer portion starting at 6). Widmer will be bringing “ALT, Smoked Dark Hefe, Marionberry Hibiscus Gose, and Kill Devil ’13” which is a great lineup to try.

McMenamins Kennedy School (Portland): They have a limited-edition beer tasting today starting at 5pm, featuring Vanilla Stout. “A blend of roasted malts and the addition of a Madagascan vanilla bean create a rich dessert like experience.” It’s 6.45% abv, and accompanied by some food specials (onion rings, poached beer brat) and when it’s gone, it’s gone.

Breakside Brewing (Portland): They’re debuting their new Kellerbier at the Hawthorne Hophouse tonight from 5 to midnight, with pints of Breakside beers only $3. They’ll also have their Salted Caramel Stout pouring. The new Kellerbier is described as, “German amber ale inspired by beers that our brewmaster tasted in Bavaria and Dusseldorf while studying brewing in Germany. Beautiful balance between bready Munich malts and spicy European hops. 5.5%”