Here’s the Oregon beer news for Thursday the 15th of November—halfway through the month already and only one week away from Thanksgiving! As usual, I’ll be periodically updating this post throughout the day, so check back often for the latest updates. And if you have news to share, please contact me and I can get that updated as well.

Deschutes Brewery (Bend): Today is the big release day for The Abyss at both the Bend and Portland Pubs! All day long this year’s vintage of The Abyss will be available on draft and in bottles ($14 per bottle, with a six bottle limit per person); there will also be (limited) vertical flight trays of Abyss from 2008 through 2012 available (though I’m not sure if those are all day, or start at 5pm). And of course special Abyss-themed dishes will be on the menu. This is the big day for one of the best Imperial Stouts around, don’t miss out!

Three Creeks Brewing (Sisters) is having their own tasting and release party at the Broken Top Bottle Shop in Bend today from 5 to 7pm for their new Raptor Rye IPA. Brewer Zach Beckwith will be on hand with bottles of the brewery’s Rudolph Imperial Red as well pouring samples.

Rock Bottom Brewery (Portland): They have a tapping party for their Winter Tartan Scottish Ale tonight from 5:30 to 6pm. “Free beer tasting and samples of our winter menu will be giving away. We will also be raising money for the ALS association at this event so come prepared to buy a few tickets for our great prize drawing & support this worthy cause.”

The Bier Stein (Eugene) is hosting Portland’s Alameda Brewing for a tasting from 6 to 9pm tonight: “Charlie Brown from Alameda Brewhouse will be here this Thursday night sampling their wares! We will have 3 tap offerings including: Barn Owl Imperial Brown ale, Yellow Wolf Imperial IPA and Alameda Black Lager! Samples are FREE and pints will be on special!”

Pelican Pub & Brewery (Pacific City): It’s a day of releases, as today is the release of Pelican’s 2012 Stormwatcher’s Winterfest, their annual barleywine. To accompany the beer, there are food specials created to pair with it starting today for the next week. Definitely would be a good time to visit Pacific City!