Bend Brewfest

Getting excited about my annual trip to Bend. I know the fest isn't great for trying a bunch of rare beers and what not. But I think it's a blast, and I get to try a bunch of stuff I never see in Northern CA.

Anyone else going? Cheers!

 

It's a really fun fest. The location is great, and it's really well run. Like I said, they aren't going to have any crazy rare beers, but it's a great place to try different stuff. They are having some ciders that look interesting too. We also are going to try to visit some breweries, I didn't make it to Crux last time, so that's on the list. And Boneyard is always must for me to grab a couple of growlers to take home. Plus last year Boneyard had a couple of barrel aged beers on tap I'm sure were in preparation for the Little Woody.

That's great you know someone who is doing the PCT, I wonder if he's made it through my neck of the woods yet? The PCT crosses through my part of the state in quite a few areas within an hour or so of town.

 

My friend did Ale Apothecary earlier this year. Said it was very cool, a tiny place with spendy and tasty beers.

I wonder if your friend made a pit stop at the Etna Brewery? I know quite a few thru hikers will stop there since it's very close to one of the trailheads. It's just a town about 35 miles west of Mt. Shasta.

 

I can't go until Friday myself because of work. In the past, it's not really a big deal which day you go. They do have something they call "x-taps", and they change from day to day. They are basically the more limited or special beers (like BA stuff), and I believe they require 2 tokens instead of one. The only benefit I can think of on Saturday is the hours are longer. We usually stop by for a bit on Friday night, but spend most of our time there on Saturday afternoon.

It's a lot of fun, and if you haven't been to Bend in years, you are going to be stunned.

 

Very cool! You'll have to ask him if he made it to Etna. It is one of the most out of the way breweries I've ever been too.

 

It would be cool to meet some PNW BeerAdvocates up there. I'll probably be making a quick stop there on Friday night, and then spending quite a few hours there on Saturday afternoon/early evening.

 

I'm pretty sure it is always right around the middle of August. And it is well worth your pennies.

 

That is why this will be my 3rd time at the brewfest.

Good beer, lots of choices, very nice venue, usually the weather is perfect, and it's really well run. Plus the people are very friendly, I've only seen a few idiots there.

If we get a spot nailed down we will let you know John. Might just meet up somewhere at the fest.