Bend, OR Local Craft Beer Guide
Your Ultimate Brewery Itinerary
Nestled in the high desert of Central Oregon, Bend has become a sanctuary for craft beer enthusiasts. Boasting crystal clear water sources and a thriving agricultural scene, this city offers an ideal brewing landscape. With over thirty years of brewing history, Bend has matured into a craft beer haven, characterized by a strong community of world-class brewers and dedicated beer lovers. This city's robust beer culture is not just a product of its natural resources but also the result of a community that values quality craftsmanship and innovative brewing techniques.
Bend's breweries range from pioneering establishments that have anchored the city's beer scene for decades, to newer upstarts that bring fresh perspectives and bold flavors. Among these, Bend Brewing Company stands out as a local favorite, providing a welcoming atmosphere with live music on the weekends and dog-friendly outdoor seating. Similarly, Deschutes Brewery Bend Public House is acclaimed for its significant role in shaping both local and national craft beer movements, celebrating over thirty years of beer crafting excellence.
As the craft beer landscape in Bend continues to evolve, small-batch innovators like Bridge 99 Brewing demonstrate the community's passion for pushing the boundaries of beer production. What began as a modest two-barrel brewing system has rapidly grown into a full-fledged 15-barrel operation, showcasing a commitment to growth and creativity. Whether it's a fireside pint at 10 Barrel's cozy patio or a taste of the innovative spirits on tap at the many Bend breweries, visitors and locals alike are sure to find a brew that captivates their palate among the region's extensive offerings.
History of Craft Beer in Bend
Bend, Oregon's craft beer scene is rooted in a rich tradition, marked by a blend of innovation and community influence. The region's exceptional natural resources have been instrumental in defining its unique brewing identity.
Pioneers of the Local Brewery Scene
Deschutes Brewery stands as a cornerstone of Bend's craft beer narrative since its establishment in 1988. Recognized as a trailblazer, it paved the way for a burgeoning brewery scene in Central Oregon. Today, beer enthusiasts visiting Bend often pay homage to this pioneering institution, acknowledging its significant role in fostering the area's craft brewing culture.
Evolution of Brewing Techniques
The area's breweries, including the widely celebrated Deschutes Brewery, consistently implement advanced brewing techniques. Utilizing Bend's pristine water sources, brewers create a diverse array of craft beers. Fertile agricultural surroundings provide quality hops and grains, enabling breweries to expand their repertoire and refine their craft over time.
Impact on Bend's Culture
Bend's craft breweries are more than beverage production sites; they're cultural hubs that have integrated into the city's social fabric. The local economy has benefited immensely from the craft brewing industry, with a vibrant community of beer aficionados supporting establishments across the city.
Guide to Bend's Top Breweries
Bend, Oregon is celebrated for its vibrant brewery scene, boasting an eclectic range of craft breweries that contribute to the renowned Bend Ale Trail. This brewery-rich city in Central Oregon offers locals and visitors alike an opportunity to taste some of the region's signature beers, each with its own unique character and story.
Deschutes Brewery
Established: 1988
Signature Beers: Black Butte Porter, Mirror Pond Pale Ale
Location: 1044 NW Bond St, Bend, OR 97703
Note: Pioneering the craft beer movement in Central Oregon, Deschutes Brewery is renowned for its innovative brews and seasonal offerings.
Crux Fermentation Project
Signature Beers: Crux Pilz, Half Hitch
Feature: Experimental brews, with a tasting room featuring panoramic views of the Cascade Mountains.
10 Barrel Brewing Co
Signature Beers: Apocalypse IPA, Pub Beer Lager
Highlight: Known for its adventurous outdoor spirit mirrored in its flavor-rich, daring beer selections.
Boneyard Beer
Signature Beers: RPM IPA, Bone-A-Fide Pale Ale
Unique Quality: Started in a garage, Boneyard Beer capitalizes on repurposed equipment to craft their bold beers.
Sunriver Brewing
Signature Beers: Vicious Mosquito IPA, Rippin Northwest Ale
Locations: Offers locations with varying features, including kid-friendly spaces and community-oriented environments.
Worthy Brewing
Signature Beers: Worthy IPA, Lights Out Stout
Innovation: Features an observatory for stargazing, paralleling their innovative approach to brewing.
Goodlife Brewing Co
Signature Beers: Descender IPA, Sweet As Pacific Ale
Tidbit: Embraces the good life by providing a varied selection, perfect for reflecting Bend's lifestyle.
Bend Brewing Co
Address: 1019 NW Brooks St, Bend, OR 97701
Atmosphere: A staple among locals for its convivial setting and live music on weekends.
The Ale Apothecary
Craft Approach: Truly artisan with hand-crafted, oak barrel-aged beers, exemplifying the unique Bend brewing ethos.
Bevel Craft Brewing
Focus: Born from a love for disc golf, their lineup aims to showcase hop-forward, West Coast-style ales.
Monkless Belgian Ales
Dedication: Committed to traditional Belgian-style brewing, offering a different palate experience with weekend food trucks.
Boss Rambler Beer Club
Vibe: Presents a fresh take on the brewery experience with a laid-back atmosphere and style-forward beer options.
Immersion Brewing
Feature: Offers a 'brew-it-yourself' experience alongside their own standout craft selections.
Silver Moon Brewing
Note: This third-oldest brewery in Bend proffers a wide array of craft beers with a firm grasp on traditional brewing techniques.
Bend Brewing Company
Atmosphere: Dog-friendly outdoor seating and a charming venue for a quick drink, popular with the local crowd.
Spider City Brewing
Specialty: Small-batch brews in a cozy location, focusing on quality and community connection.
Bridge 99 Brewery
Flavor Profile: Known for their innovative beer that captures the essence of Central Oregon's outdoor lifestyle.
Oblivion Brewing Company
Quality: Delivers a personal touch with small-batch ales, consistently highlighting handcrafted excellence.
Craft Kitchen and Brewery
Pairing: Boasts a robust menu expertly paired with their house-made beers, enhancing the overall dining experience.
Kobold Brewing
Engagement: Provides a welcoming taproom experience, where the beer is matched by the friendly and informative staff.
Silver Moon Brewery
Reputation: Not only one of Bend's earliest breweries but also a pillar in the community with reliable and enjoyable brews.
The Craft of Beer Making
In Bend, Oregon, the craft of beer making is characterized by innovative brewing styles, a focus on high-quality ingredients, and a commitment to sustainable practices. This section explores the distinct elements that define Bend's craft beer scene.
Unique Brewing Styles and Techniques
Bend's brewers are known for their creative flair, employing a variety of techniques to produce a wide range of craft beers. They craft traditional ales and lagers, as well as explore the boundaries with IPAs, sours, and stouts. Each brewery's approach reflects their dedication to the craft, often infusing regional character into their unique concoctions. For instance, Belgian-style ales are renowned for their fruitiness and complexity, and they are just one example of the diverse styles perfected by local brewers.
Ingredients and Water Quality
The quality of craft beer hinges on two main components: ingredients and water. Brewers in Bend take pride in their ingredient selection, often choosing local hops and grains to support the regional agricultural community. Table 1 below highlights the key ingredients found in Bend's craft beers.
Ingredient Characteristic Common Beer Styles
Hops Bitterness, Aroma IPAs, Pale Ales
Barley/Malts Sweetness, Body Stouts, Lagers
Yeast Fermentation, Flavor Ales, Sours
Water Purity, Profile All Beer Styles
Crucially, Bend's pristine water sources are fundamental to its beer making, providing a clean and neutral foundation that allows the flavors of hops and malts to shine through.
Open Fermentation and Sustainability
An increasing number of Bend breweries are embracing open fermentation, a traditional technique that exposes the beer to natural microflora, resulting in unique flavor profiles. Open fermentation is a method where yeast ferments the beer in open vessels, allowing for ambient yeasts and bacteria to contribute to the beer's characteristics, often seen in the production of sours and farmhouse ales.
Sustainability is also a key priority for Bend's brewing industry. Many local breweries implement eco-friendly practices, emphasizing waste reduction, energy efficiency, and resource conservation. These sustainable approaches not only reflect the community's environmental ethos but also often enhance the overall quality and flavor of the beer—a win-win for both beer enthusiasts and the planet.
The Brewing Experience
Visitors to Bend's breweries can expect a varied and immersive craft beer journey, from interactive tours to the sampling of seasonal brews specific to the Central Oregon region.
Tasting Rooms and Tours
Bend's beer culture is deeply enriched by tasting rooms and taprooms where beer aficionados can explore the local craft beer landscape. Many breweries, including those with accolades like Bend Brewing Company, offer tours that provide an inside look into the brewing process and an education in craft beer making. Patrons can enjoy flights of award-winning beers and interact with knowledgeable staff who bring the stories behind the beers to life.
Seasonal Offerings and Exclusive Tastings
The breweries in Bend boast a range of seasonal beers that reflect the region's diverse agricultural bounty. These establishments frequently organize exclusive tastings where guests can sample limited-edition brews. Sunriver Brewing Company, known for its award-winning craft beers, offers an array of seasonal options that highlight the innovative spirit of Bend's breweries.
Events and Live Music at Breweries
Events and live music are a staple at Bend breweries, further enhancing the beer tasting experience. Bend Brewing Company, for instance, is a popular spot with an outdoor seating area that welcomes dogs and patrons alike to enjoy live music during the weekends. These events provide a vibrant backdrop for enjoying a cold beer and mingling with locals.
Awards and Recognition
Competing on both a national and international level, breweries in Bend have garnered numerous awards for their exceptional beers. Sunriver Brewing Company's brew-master, Brett Thomas, has led the team to win multiple recognitions, solidifying Bend's reputation in the craft beer world. These awards are a testament to the quality and creativity inherent in Bend's local craft beers.
Pairing Food with Craft Beers
Craft beer enthusiasts visiting Bend, Oregon, can expect an indulgent experience pairing local brews with a variety of culinary delights. Each style of beer offers the perfect complement to certain dishes, enhancing flavors and providing a more complete dining experience.
Local Pub Fare
Bend Brewing Company is known for its friendly atmosphere and a variety of craft beers well-suited to classic pub fare. Customers often enjoy a crisp pale ale with their fish and chips (What wine goes well with fish and chips?), allowing the beer's mild bitterness to accentuate the dish's savory batter. A robust porter or stout, on the other hand, is excellent with a hearty beef pie as it complements the rich flavors.
Recommended Pairing:
Fish and Chips: Crisp Pale Ale
Beef Pie: Robust Porter or Stout
Gourmet Burgers and Sandwiches
Pubs such as Deschutes Brewery Bend Public House elevate the traditional burger with their gourmet offerings. A juicy burger topped with gourmet ingredients like blue cheese or applewood smoked bacon pairs wonderfully with a hoppy IPA, which contrasts the richness with its bitterness and aromatic profile.
Recommended Pairing:
Blue Cheese Burger: Hoppy IPA
Bacon Burger: Amber Ale
Beer-Inspired Dishes
Chefs in Bend have harnessed the complexity of craft beers to create beer-inspired dishes. For example, a salad dressed in a vinaigrette made with a fruity and spicy beer unites the dish's fresh elements with a playful kick. These dishes are best enjoyed with a beer that shares similar flavor notes, creating harmony between sip and bite.
Recommended Pairing:
Spicy Beer Vinaigrette Salad: Fruity and Spicy Ale
Beer-Braised Pork: Malt-Forward Brown Ale
With the variety of expertly crafted beers and meticulously developed menus, Bend's restaurants and pubs provide a playground for the taste buds of craft beer enthusiasts. Each pairing aims to elevate both the dish and the beer, creating a memorable culinary experience.
Exploring the Bend Ale Trail
The Bend Ale Trail invites beer lovers to embark on a self-guided tour through the heart of Central Oregon, a region recognized for its craft beer excellence. A key feature of the trail is obtaining stamps in a passport from at least 10 of the 18 participating breweries, rewarding visitors with unique prizes.
Passport Access:
Physical passports available at the Bend Visitor Center.
Digital trekking via a free web app.
Trail Highlights:
Variety of Brews: From hoppy IPAs to fruity Belgian-style ales, enthusiasts can sample a wide array of beers.
Scenic Views: Many breweries offer outdoor seating with views of the Cascade Mountains and the Deschutes River.
Transportation Options:
Bicycling: An eco-friendly option, biking allows visitors to enjoy the scenic beauty surrounding Bend.
Walking: Some breweries are conveniently located for a pleasant walking experience.
Here is a breakdown of what to expect:
Trail Experience Description
Breweries 18 stops with a rich variety of beers
Nature Views of Cascade Mountains and Deschutes River
Outdoor Seating Available at select breweries
Transport Bike-friendly routes, walkable areas
Visitors should ensure they drink responsibly and consider transportation options that suit their needs and safety. The Bend Ale Trail not only offers a taste of the local brews but also a glimpse into the outdoor culture that thrives in Bend, Oregon.
Craft Beer and Community
In Bend, Oregon, the local craft beer scene is much more than a collection of breweries—it's a vital part of the community. This thriving sector not only enhances the economy but also draws tourists, educates beer enthusiasts, and bolsters the city’s culture.
Economic Impact on Local Business
The proliferation of craft breweries in Bend stimulates local businesses. Bend Brewing Company, recognized for its lively atmosphere and dog-friendly outdoor seating, exemplifies a business that both supports and is supported by the local economy. Breweries often source ingredients from regional farms and vendors, creating a beneficial cycle that strengthens community ties and economic growth.
Craft Beer's Role in Tourism
Craft beer tourism has become an essential facet of Bend's appeal, attracting visitors eager to experience its renowned breweries firsthand. Central Oregon's reputation for quality craft beers, built on the back of institutions like Deschutes Brewery—a pioneer of the Oregon craft beer movement—extends across the country. Tourism not only brings new patrons to local pubs and breweries but also supports the hospitality industry at large, including hotels and restaurants.
Educational Aspects and Beer Enthusiast Culture
Education is an integral part of Bend's craft beer scene. Many breweries offer brewery tours and tasting events that serve as forums for sharing information and updates on beer crafting techniques and styles. These interactions foster a community of knowledgeable beer enthusiasts who appreciate the intricacies of craft beer production. Additionally, this culture of education and appreciation promotes ongoing dialogue between brewers and patrons, enriching the craft beer community.
Additional Amenities and Experiences
Bend’s craft breweries not only offer exceptional beers but also a variety of amenities and experiences that cater to different preferences and lifestyles. From dining options to pet-friendly patios, the breweries in Bend have something to enhance every visitor's experience.
Breweries with Restaurants and Outdoor Seating
Many Bend breweries boast fresh, locally-sourced menus and ample outdoor seating where patrons can enjoy their craft beer selections. For instance, a visit to Bend Brewing Company comes highly recommended, with an address at 1019 NW Brooks St, Bend, OR 97701. They offer a comfortable atmosphere to savor a quick drink paired with live music on the weekends. Additionally, some of the region's breweries, like Deschutes Brewery Bend Public House, located at 1044 NW Bond St, Bend, OR 97703, integrate open fermentation practices, adding a unique touch to their already distinguished beer profiles.
Family-Friendly Breweries and Pet-Friendly Options
Visitors with children or furry friends will find Bend breweries welcoming and accommodating. The breweries prioritize a family-friendly environment, allowing the whole family to enjoy the laidback Bend brewery culture. Pet-friendly outdoor seating is common, with areas specifically designed to host visitors and their pets. These establishments often feature bierhall-style seating to foster a community feel where families and friends gather.
Combining Craft Beer with Local Wines
For those looking to diversify their palette, a number of Bend's breweries and pubs offer a selection of local wines, showcasing Central Oregon's burgeoning wine scene alongside their craft beer offerings. This fusion of local crafts allows for a comprehensive tasting experience of what Bend's artisans have to offer. Some establishments may feature menus tailored to pair these beverages with suitable culinary options, enhancing the flavors of both the drinks and the dishes.
