Friend Heading To Bend - Tips?

I was just there a couple weeks ago. My favorite stop was Ale Apothecary by far, Crux was a pretty clear second. Next for me was either Monkless (good Belgian stuff) or Bend Brewing (I would say mostly traditional but well done, from what I saw and tasted).

Deschutes is a classic. Boneyard, too.

Sunriver was more gimmicky/off-the-wall/BA stouts focused, and was pretty good(though I wasn't impressed with their multiple GABF gold-winning hef); next door to them was Boss Rambler, who I thought did a pretty good job with the hazy IPAs I tried.

We stopped at Wild Ride, which I would only recommend if you love weed-forward IPAs. Seriously smelling and tasting of pot. Worthy was fine but unimpressive. GoodLife was fine, but we didn't try much there and I remember liking some of their packaged stuff. I wasn't much impressed with Immersion, but only tried one beer there.

I would definitely recommend beer shopping at Market of Choice and Newport Avenue Market.

 

First of all, Bend sucks. Tell your friend not to visit. And definitely do not move there.

Seriously, I love Bend. In fact, if all goes according to plan, I will move there next year.

So I guess breweries and restaurants are open in Bend? Limited capacity?

Many great breweries. Crux is my favorite, and a must visit. They do many styles, and mostly do them well. As for bringing bottles home, their Freakcake and Tough Love are to die for. Especially the Freakcake, a world-class beer IMO.

I have huge respect for Ale Apothecary and what that do, yet I haven’t loved any of their beers. A very creative producer, and certainly worth a visit.

I’ve been to Boneyard’s newish pub once (plus their original location). Thumbs up. Silver Moon does some good stuff, especially their seasonal barrel-aged beers (might not be the season now though). Monkless is good, and I’m dying to visit their new bistro near the river. I think 10 Barrel pretty much sucks. But go for their great burgers and order a guest beer, lol.

I want to try Boss Rambler and Bevel Brewing. But what I’m most excited to try on my next visit is Porter Brewing. They specialize in cask conditioned English Ales, which I think is a very underserved niche. Porter is in Redmond, but they’re slated to open a taproom called The Cellar in downtown Bend in April.

I second the @snaotheus suggestions for MOC and Newport Market for bottle shopping. I would also add Broken Top Bottle Shop. 3rd St. Beverage seems good too, but I’ve never been there. But if you’re friend is flying, he/she probably can’t bring back too many bottles.

 

I'm also very interested in Prost. Does anyone know if they're open?

 

Bend Brewing. Get a seat on their patio overlooking Mirror Pond. Drink everything, but particularly their Ching Ching (hibiscus sour) and Lovely (cherry Baltic Porter).

 

Wow, so much to say...
(1) Yes, breweries and restaurants are open in bend. Yes, the capacity is somewhat limited. My wife and I generally had no problem getting into any place we wanted, although we did take out several times and we had to wait in line to get into Ale Apothecary.
(2) I felt the same way about Ale Apothecary until I visited. Partially, it's the environment, I'm sure, I love visiting wild/spontaneous places and I'm pretty sure that softens what's left of my fossilized heart. I was blown away, or nearly so, by El Cuatro with Sweet Dark Cherries.
(3) Monkless's place was really cool.
(4) I missed Silver Moon, and I don't think I even paid attention to Bevel or heard of Porter.
(5) I expect I'll go back to Bend again some time. I'll buy you a beer if you're living there by then.

 

If you go to MOC might as well check out Immersion. I've liked what I've sampled from them. I'll second recs for Bend Brewing and BTBS. If you hit Crux go for sunset on their patio. Deschutes tour is worth it, especially if Mtn Room is open. I've only been to the OG Boneyard location, so no comment on the new digs. If you hit Growler Guys, the East location has Pallet Jack on way more than the West location.

 

Well, if he’s a serious boy...

https://www.visitbend.com/bend-ale-trail/

 

even though they sold out to evil beer overlords, ive always enjoyed the 10 Barrel location that has the outdoor firepit and the outdoor order window. i never buy their beer in stores, but their pub only offerings are often quite good and sometimes excellent

 

Crux, Ale Apothecary, Sunriver and Boss Rambler. Sunriver and BR are right next to each other, and AA is a short walk away. Boneyard is definitely worth a visit if they’ve never been.

Grab dinner at Jackson’s Corner.

 

Just booked our hotel in the Orchard District. First time flying to RDM for a Bend visit. Not familiar with Bend and it’s surrounding area. Is the Orchard District a good place to make home for the weekend? We will have a car rental and driving from Redmond. Our plans is to do some hiking Saturday and time permitting on Sunday. We fly out that Sunday afternoon. In the evening plans are dinner and beer. Deschutes is a must. Old school. Boneyard would be another must stop. Otherwise looking for some good west coast IPA’s and some good hazy’s. Lagers and pils secondary. No sours.
Looking at a Friday and Saturday evening dinner/ beer run. 2 or 3 breweries/pub per night. Deschutes would be a quick stop in and try a flight of their stouts. Mainly there for the ambiance. @Dansac did your bud get back yet? Any place worth visiting?

 

My friends who live in the Orchard District walk to downtown all the time, even easier with a car. Pretty relaxed, quiet neighborhood, should be just fine. My IPA hit list would include Sunriver, Boss Rambler, and GoodLife in addition to Deschutes and Boneyard. Crux and Spider City too if you’re looking for more.

 

Saw on social media that Porter Brewing’s Bend location is now open, fine cask ale without the drive to Redmond.

 

Bend Brewing?
Deschuttes Tour....Public House or Tasting Room?
BTBS?

 

I LOVE Bend Brewing. Get a seat out on the patio.

I'm also a fan of the High Desert Museum: https://highdesertmuseum.org/

 

https://www.bendbrewingco.com/ Great location and solid brews

Deschutes production brewery (with tasting room and Mountain Room)

BTBS = Broken Top Bottle Shop & Ale Cafe https://btbsbend.com/

 

Is Silver Moons old place still open? I met more Bend folks there than any of the other brewpus.

 

Yes, they've expanded their back patio area considerably and taken over the adjacent building (no public occupancy in there, just offices, storage, and a service counter with a few taps that faces the back patio).