Visiting Bend/Sunriver (2015 Update)

Discussion in 'Northwest' started by sharpski, Apr 20, 2015.

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  1. John_M

    John_M Grand High Pooh-Bah (6,849) Oct 25, 2003 Washington
    Mod Team Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    The only place I've ever camped at is La Pine State Park. That was some years ago, but my recollection is that it worked out fine. Weather was nice (can get cold at night), and the park was an easy drive into Bend. I would probably recommend making reservations well in advance if you plan on camping in August.

    My current GF is not into camping, and so we stay at the Shilo Inn. I've been happy the times I've stayed there. Amenities were fine, the rooms were clean and decent size, and prices were pretty reasonable (not as cheap as camping of course). My GF is a big fan of having ready access to running water, bathing facilities, and a clean, private loo. The Shilo Inn offers all those things.
     
    #21 John_M, Apr 28, 2015
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  2. blackcloud

    blackcloud Savant (1,243) Apr 28, 2012 Alaska
    Trader

    I got a great spot on Air B&B last year. was cheaper than a hotel, nicer room, full kitchen, etc.

    that said, depending on how far you wanna drive, bend could be a great spot to camp. usually super nice that time of year, hot during the days, cool to cold at night, perfect camping weather.
     
    #22 blackcloud, Apr 29, 2015
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  3. Reidrover

    Reidrover Grand Pooh-Bah (4,886) Jan 14, 2003 Oregon
    Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    Tumalo State Park is better..just North of Bend..easy taxi ride. if you need it
     
    #23 Reidrover, Apr 29, 2015
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  4. kevinscott

    kevinscott Zealot (619) Oct 21, 2008 Texas

    My wife and I are going to be in Bend for the Wilco show as well. I booked an Airbnb recently as hotel rooms and rentals were priced fairly high or booking quickly. We found a studio apt near the McMenamin's for under $100/night.

    @sharpski thanks for all the great info. We are looking forward to our first trip to Bend. Any recommendations on the best place to rent bikes for getting around town?
     
    #24 kevinscott, Apr 29, 2015
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  5. sharpski

    sharpski Grand Pooh-Bah (3,100) Oct 11, 2010 Oregon
    BA4LYFE Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    I don't have any personal experience with renting bikes, but previous threads have referenced Hutch's and Life Cycle. There are a lot of options, and I'm guessing the pricing is fairly standard, so it may come down to which place is easiest for you to pick up/drop off based on where you're staying.

    After you visit, I'd love to hear about your experiences beer- and bike-related. Please come back here with a trip report!
     
    #25 sharpski, Apr 29, 2015
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  6. Commanche

    Commanche Crusader (420) May 8, 2008 California

    #26 Commanche, May 4, 2015
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  7. BBThunderbolt

    BBThunderbolt Grand High Pooh-Bah (7,846) Sep 24, 2007 Kiribati
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    #27 BBThunderbolt, May 27, 2015
  8. cherche

    cherche Pooh-Bah (2,476) Mar 27, 2013 Washington
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    Thank you @beertunes ! I need all the help I can get.
     
    #28 cherche, May 27, 2015
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  9. therackman

    therackman Initiate (0) Jan 3, 2009 Oregon

    I'd suggest adding Brother John's to the list of beer bars to visit. I always make a stop at one of their 2 locations to find good local pours. Cheers!
     
    #29 therackman, May 28, 2015
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  10. distantmantra

    distantmantra Pooh-Bah (2,954) May 23, 2011 Washington
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    I like Galveston Brother Johns better for food, but the Bond street location has more beer options.
     
    #30 distantmantra, May 28, 2015
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  11. RedMedicine

    RedMedicine Initiate (0) Jun 3, 2005 Oregon

    I notice the Seattle thread no longer includes Elysian. Any thoughts on removing 10 Barrel from this list?
     
    #31 RedMedicine, May 28, 2015
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  12. sharpski

    sharpski Grand Pooh-Bah (3,100) Oct 11, 2010 Oregon
    BA4LYFE Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    I moved 10 Barrel to the second tier, but have no plans to remove them unless their beer suffers. Had a Raspberry Crush earlier in the week, tasted just las good as it did before the buyout.
     
    #32 sharpski, May 28, 2015
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  13. RedMedicine

    RedMedicine Initiate (0) Jun 3, 2005 Oregon

    For me it has nothing to do with how the beer tastes, but hey it's up to you since you created the thread.
     
    #33 RedMedicine, May 28, 2015
  14. sharpski

    sharpski Grand Pooh-Bah (3,100) Oct 11, 2010 Oregon
    BA4LYFE Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    I figure anyone who's made it this far (a list about a small Oregon town in a regional sub-forum of a niche interest website) probably already knows about the 10 Barrel buyout and can decide for themselves if it's a deal breaker or not. I'm under no illusion that my including or omitting them will have much sway. I still like their beer and the people making it, but I recognize that many would no longer recommend them.
     
    #34 sharpski, May 28, 2015
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  15. John_M

    John_M Grand High Pooh-Bah (6,849) Oct 25, 2003 Washington
    Mod Team Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    How's the brewpub doing since the buy-out? I was at some event recently, and someone from Bend told me that since the buy-out, business has really dropped off there.

    Have you found that to be the case?
     
    #35 John_M, May 28, 2015
  16. sharpski

    sharpski Grand Pooh-Bah (3,100) Oct 11, 2010 Oregon
    BA4LYFE Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    I haven't noticed much difference when driving by, but I haven't paid much attention or been inside in a while. Oblivion Brewing just opened a brewpub a block away so it'll be interesting to see if that changes their traffic too.
     
    #36 sharpski, May 28, 2015
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  17. sharpski

    sharpski Grand Pooh-Bah (3,100) Oct 11, 2010 Oregon
    BA4LYFE Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    In the course of Beer Week, I had the opportunity to retry beer from some local breweries who had not wowed me on first or second glance. While they're not rocketing to the top of the local scene or anything, I wanted to give shoutouts to RiverBend and Shade Tree for improvements over the last time I had their beer.

    Larry from Shade Tree brewed two batches of his SMaSH beer, one with local malt from Mecca Grade and one with a conventional malt. Cool experiment to try them both with as few variables as possible.
     
    #37 sharpski, Jun 2, 2015
    Last edited: Jun 2, 2015
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  18. cherche

    cherche Pooh-Bah (2,476) Mar 27, 2013 Washington
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    coming to town this Friday...cannot wait to visit Bend for the first time! Anything new since the last update? Any events going on this weekend?

    Anywhere we need to make reservations ahead of time besides the brewery tour at deschutes?

    oh, and can you turn down the heat a bit @sharpski ...100 degrees on Saturday when I have to run a race in Sun River? :slight_frown:
     
    #38 cherche, Jun 23, 2015
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  19. BBThunderbolt

    BBThunderbolt Grand High Pooh-Bah (7,846) Sep 24, 2007 Kiribati
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    I always suggest finding the time to sit on the patio at Bend Brewing Company and gaze out over Mirror Pond. If they have that fresh berry crumble with a scoop of ice cream on the menu, I suspect that would go well some Ching Ching. Also, if it's available, try BBCs Lovely Cherry Baltic Porter.
     
    #39 BBThunderbolt, Jun 23, 2015
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  20. derftron

    derftron Pooh-Bah (1,663) Feb 8, 2012 Oregon
    Pooh-Bah


    was just there a few weeks ago. I really like the little area that has 10 Barrel and then Growler Phils/Primal Cuts (meat market) right across the street. Basically gives you about 40 beer options between the two places 1 block from each other.

    I always bring a growler to fill up at Boneyard.

    If possible, send an email the Ale Apothecary and set a time to drop by. He is really cool

    Bend Brewing is also a must hit. Ching Ching goes perfect with hot weather
     
    #40 derftron, Jun 23, 2015
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