Riffle/Burnside's Urchin Ale; New Thai Downtown

PEARL DISTRICT—Today in stunt beers: NE's Burnside Brewery has teamed with Pearl District seafood spot Riffle NW to create a one-off Riffle Urchin Ale, inspired by the restaurant's signature uni "shooter" (featuring sea urchin, tomato water, and a quail egg). The beer itself is brewed with heirloom tomato water and smoked Jacobsen Sea Salt; an official launch party is scheduled for tonight, with the public welcome to stop by the Riffle bar for samples. Moving forward, the beer will be available on-tap at Riffle and Burnside. [EaterWire]

DOWNTOWN—Over at PortlandFood.org, word of a new Thai restaurant, Bamboo Thai, now open on SW Pine. [PF.org]

AUSTIN—That other Keep/Weird town — Austin, Texas — will hold a mini-food festival called "Indie Chefs Week" in January, during which chefs will converge at Foreign & Domestic for a four-day feast. Among the participants: Portland's Gregory Gourdet (Departure) and Tamer Riad (Boke Bowl). Eater Austin has the details. [EATX]

Image of Riffle NW by Avila/EPDX