Visiting Bend/Sunriver (Spring 2016 Update)

An update reflecting changes to Central Oregon's beer landscape in the last year. Suggestions and corrections welcome.

(Almost) Universally Recommended "Must-Hit" Breweries & Brew Pubs
Bend Brewing
Crux
Deschutes
Silver Moon
Sunriver Brewing (Bend/Sunriver)


Other Recommended Breweries & Brew Pubs
10 Barrel
Ale Apothecary (by appt)
Boneyard (small tasting room only)
GoodLife
McMenamins Old St. Francis (check out the soaking pool and O’Kanes in back)
Wild Ride (Redmond)
Worthy

Beer Bars / Bottle Shops
Brew Shop / Platypus Pub
Broken Top Bottle Shop
Crow's Feet Commons
Growler Guys Eastside / Westside
Growler Phil’s
Jersey Boys Pizzeria (Redmond)
Redmond Craft Brewing Supply (Redmond)
The Beer Stop (Redmond)
The Mountain Jug (Sunriver)
The Wine Shop
WhiteWater Taphouse

Recent Activity
Kobold debuted
Sunriver Brewing opened a 2nd location in Bend
Crux, Silver Moon, Sunriver have begun distributing in cans
Crux and Silver Moon built production breweries
Rat Hole moved from Bend to Sunriver
Below Grade Brewing goes on hiatus

Brewery breakdown by town
Bend 19
Redmond 4
Prineville 1
Sisters 1
Sunriver 2

 

I forgot to add a "Things That Should Happen Soon, But Have No Firm Date" section:
- Boneyard's bar should open soon (also heard rumors they're scouting a spot in Mexico to open a brewery, and there's this)
- Immersion looks like it's getting close to opening

 

The location isn't bad, but I don't think they'll be giving Sunriver Brewing a run for their money anytime soon. The brewing equipment is not yet functional in the new location even after a few months of transition time. I don't think the beer quality has improved noticeably since inception (in my sporadic sampling). I wish them success, but don't think I could ever recommend somebody thirsty going there over Sunriver Brewing or The Mountain Jug.

 

Just came across this: http://www.bendbulletin.com/entertainment/4205779-151/good-pub-food-in-sunriver?referrer=fpblob#

 

I've been through about 3 or 4 cycles of saying to myself, "I think it's been long enough since I heard something bad about one of their beers, maybe it's time to give them a shot," and before I actually get a chance to go, somebody tells me about an unpleasant beer or experience there. I haven't had any bad first-hand experience, but there's just too many other good places in town to go instead of wanting to roll the dice there.

 

Friday is Bend Brewing's 21st Anniversary shindig: live music, closing down the street, additional taps with old favorites and specialties, etc.

 

Market of Choice opened a Bend outpost and brought some new-to-this-market offerings via their Portland distribution center, both from OR (Ex Novo, Plough Monday, Sam Bond, 1st time seeing a HotD "from the wood" on a shelf) and beyond (Heretic, Sixpoint, Off Color). They also have a draft counter with 8 or 10 taps and a crowler machine.

Whole Foods completed a remodel which added some tap lines, and must have been watching MofC as they recently brought in Ex Novo and Sixpoint right after.

Finally visited both Immersion and Craft Kitchen, both were fine but I couldn't imagine choosing either over a Crux visit when in that part of town.

During Beer Week, BTBS had a keg of Deschutes Breakfast in Bruges. It's a pseudo lambic with mixed-culture (house lacto, Brett B and Brett L, etc.) aged in wine barrels with blood orange puree for two years, and one of the best Brett beers or Deschutes beers I've had. I got to have it over multiple days, and it was spectacular every time. If you see it on a menu, order it without hesitation. Someone told me they may pour it at Little Woody this year, and IMO is worth the price of admission alone, so maybe you should consider an early September visit to Bend, yeah?

 

Bend Brewing just completed a remodel of their front dining room to include a roll-up window bar facing Brooks street.

Also, they announced the purchase of the adjacent lot (between BBC and The Pine Tavern) which sat empty for 10+ years. The announcement was vague on details, but it sounds more like a beer garden/music venue than an expansion of any brewing capacity. The lot extends down to Mirror Pond itself for more intimate contemplation of that Ching Ching or Lovely, @beertunes.

 

No change in the beer from what I can tell. The few times I've seen Ian and Packie (one of the new owners) sample and converse about the beer, Packie doesn't seem to be giving notes or otherwise trying to influence how Ian brews. It probably doesn't hurt that BBC has picked up another 10 or so medals since the sale at the beginning of the year, but my take is that the new owners trust the Brewers' skills.

I haven't noticed any changes in the brewhouse (there's no room for additional tanks or equipment), and the updates to the front room, rebranding, etc. seem to be improvements without radically changing anything. The land acquisition tells me ownership didn't blow their whole wad buying the brewery, so I wouldn't expect cost-cutting pressures or other factors that could change how they brew. If anything, it seems like ownership is looking to expand BBC's presence in town and through distribution.

 

Paul's spot on the Westside is "open," but it's still by appt. only. It's more accurate to say it's a barrel facility that can be used to host private tastings or events than it is a regular retail establishment. I'd be surprised if Paul weren't around town for Little Woody, so getting to see the space is likely an option for you if you contact him.