non-obvious recommendations for Bend/anything going on this wknd?

Discussion in 'Northwest' started by eatabagofbooger, Jun 19, 2013.

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  1. eatabagofbooger

    eatabagofbooger Initiate (0) Mar 27, 2009 Oregon

    I'm heading to Bend this weekend for the Deschutes Anniversary ride (freaking stoked!). I've been to Bend more than a few times. It's always been for riding/climbing, so I don't drink much while I'm there, but I've been to Deschutes, 10 Barrel, and Boneyard. I'll certainly hit up Boneyard again (I don't think I'll ever be able to justify passing through town without stopping in) as well as Crux. I'm not terribly enamored with 10 Barrel, (not bad, but not great). Anyways, I'm looking for places I may have overlooked in the past, especially stuff that doesn't make it to Portland. My schedule will have to stay flexible, so I can't make an appointment at Ale Apothecary. Any other breweries worth checking out? Anything special going on (special tappings/bottle releases/events/etc aside from the obvious Deschutes party?). What about bottle shops that might have stuff that the horders in Portland snatched up right away? Recommendations for good, healthy eats are welcome too.

    Oh, and in the off chance that anyone from Portland is reading this, is planning to go this weekend, has room for me and my bike, and wants beer and gas money, let me know (otherwise I'm renting a car).

    Thanks, and sorry for the rambling post!
     
    #1 eatabagofbooger, Jun 19, 2013
  2. distantmantra

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

    Broken Top and The Beer Shop both have stuff long gone in Portland. And Ale Apothecary bottles.
     
    #2 distantmantra, Jun 19, 2013
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  3. flexabull

    flexabull Initiate (0) Mar 9, 2006 California

    I enjoyed my visit to Good Life. Maybe check out one of the many growler fill shops there?
     
    #3 flexabull, Jun 19, 2013
  4. BBThunderbolt

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

    I've enjoyed my visits to Silver Moon.
     
    #4 BBThunderbolt, Jun 19, 2013
  5. distantmantra

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


    Silver Moon is an interesting place. Totally looks like they bought a dive bar and didn't bother updating anything. Pretty good beer, though!

    Get something to eat at Jackson's Corner (always have Boneyard on tap) and maybe splurge for a nice dinner at Blacksmith (Suge Knight!).
     
    #5 distantmantra, Jun 19, 2013
  6. BBThunderbolt

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

    I've had some pretty average beers there, and then BOOM!!! , something unexpectedly great shows up in the glass. Staff has pretty chill too.
     
    #6 BBThunderbolt, Jun 19, 2013
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  7. bifrost17

    bifrost17 Initiate (0) Dec 16, 2011 Washington

    [quote="
    Get something to eat at Jackson's Corner (always have Boneyard on tap) and maybe splurge for a nice dinner at Blacksmith (Suge Knight!).[/quote]

    I just looked this place up to see if the Suge Knite recommend was for real, and damn yes it is! I'm gonna be in Bend for my birthday in August, looks like Blacksmith will be the restaurant we go to for my birthday dinner. Suge Knite and a steak, yes!
     
    #7 bifrost17, Jun 19, 2013
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  8. sharpski

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

    The Fermentation Celebration is Thursday, but nothing planned for the weekend I'm aware of. The newly opened growler fill station across the street from Broken Top Bottle Shop has Boneyard Notorious on, but I don't know that it will last to the weekend. BTBS likely has some things you won't find in Portland, though, and they currently have Abyss on tap.

    Worthy just installed their canning line, and that place is worth a stop for a beer or two and a mini-tour.

    Grab a bottle of something from Below Grade at BTBS or the Newport Avenue Market. They're not poised to take the world by storm, but it's a cool nano that flies under the radar, and their Sour IPA is unique.
     
    #8 sharpski, Jun 19, 2013
  9. distantmantra

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

    I just looked this place up to see if the Suge Knite recommend was for real, and damn yes it is! I'm gonna be in Bend for my birthday in August, looks like Blacksmith will be the restaurant we go to for my birthday dinner. Suge Knite and a steak, yes![/quote]


    Why would I make it up? :wink:
     
    #9 distantmantra, Jun 19, 2013
  10. bifrost17

    bifrost17 Initiate (0) Dec 16, 2011 Washington


    Why would I make it up? :wink:[/quote]


    Hahaha come on I wasn't implying that. Just had to see it to believe it!
     
    #10 bifrost17, Jun 19, 2013
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  11. sharpski

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

    Still might want to check they have it on tap when you make your reservation in August. It's just not brewed that often, so unless they have a pretty close connection to the brewery, my guess is that the servers get a lot of practice saying, "I'm sorry, we're out of that one."
     
    #11 sharpski, Jun 20, 2013
  12. m4ttj0nes

    m4ttj0nes Zealot (611) Feb 21, 2012 Oregon
    Trader

    i really enjoyed the flight at bend brewing, they dont get the credit they deserve.
     
    #12 m4ttj0nes, Jun 20, 2013
  13. eatabagofbooger

    eatabagofbooger Initiate (0) Mar 27, 2009 Oregon

    Thanks for all the recommendations guys! I'll definitely hit up Broken Top, The Beer Shop, and Silver Moon (I like a divey atmosphere better than the yuppie-ish vibe I get at a lot of craft beer establishments). There's actually one place in Portland that carries Below Grade's bottles and it happens to be around the corner from my house. The folks from the brewery came up a couple of months ago to do a tasting, so I've had their stuff before and was quite impressed (especially with the sour IPA). Totally forgot they were based in Bend, though-I might have to check and see if I can find something there that the shop in PDX doesn't have.
     
    #13 eatabagofbooger, Jun 20, 2013
  14. distantmantra

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


    When I was there over Memorial Day weekend, the Suge was flowing. I asked our waitress if they always had it available and she actually knew her stuff and said it's one of their standard menu beers since new ownership took over.
     
    #14 distantmantra, Jun 20, 2013
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  15. GaryatDeschutes

    GaryatDeschutes Crusader (424) Jun 16, 2003 Oregon

    #15 GaryatDeschutes, Jun 21, 2013
  16. OregonHopmonster

    OregonHopmonster Initiate (0) Jan 15, 2011 Oregon

    I was just in Bend for a weekend a couple weeks ago. I was impressed with Broken Top, not just the quality beer selection on tap and bottle, but for the unique combination of ingredients in their dishes as well. For breakfast my whole group was impressed with both Chow and McKay Cottage, though my preference went to McKay. We also really enjoyed Worthy for their spot-on interpretations of classic styles, especially their Kolsch which we could have drank all day. And while I agree with your thoughts on 10 Barrel, if you missed the Fruit Beer Fest and they have Cucumber Crush or Apricot Crush on tap then you should definitely stop there! We were extremely disappointed with Good Life- extremely crowded and only two of their own on tap. I can find more beer from them on tap in Portland!
     
    #16 OregonHopmonster, Jun 21, 2013
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  17. John_M

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

    Am hoping to do a day trip up to Bend next weekend (can't do this weekend, as it's celebrate walla walla weekend), but after reading over this thread, I'm starting to feel overwhelmed. Even if I stay the night on Saturday, it' still starting to feel that at most I'll only be able to sample the tip of the iceberg there.
     
    #17 John_M, Jun 21, 2013
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  18. flexabull

    flexabull Initiate (0) Mar 9, 2006 California

    I feel the same way, I usually only make it to Bend once a year, and I always feel like I missed something when I am heading home.
     
    #18 flexabull, Jun 21, 2013
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