Planning an Oregon Beer-Cation. Thoughts?

Places to get bottles in Bend: Broken Top Bottle Shop, The Brew Shop, Whole Foods, Newport Market. Honorable mention to Crow's Feet Commons for a small selection that includes hard to find goodies. Keep in mind that PDX shops likely get everything Bend does and more regarding stuff distributed to OR.

If you have a specific reason for wanting to hit Riverbend, don't let me stop you; they are a decent brewpub, but I wouldn't call them a highlight yet. I'd suggest Worthy instead of Riverbend, but with a day-plus you'll have time for all the Bend breweries on your list and more if you choose.

 

It seems like you dont have a ton of style variety in your trip (which is fine, if you like sticking to classic english and american styles) - but you are missing out on some of the best Saisons, Sours, a German Beers in the world.

I made some changes to your list above and also pasted below - based on what I would do if I were you.

South of Portland
Caldera
Block 15
De Garde
Heater Allen

Portland
Cascade
Commons
Hair of the Dog
Upright
Laurelwood
Occidental

Hood River
Double Mountain (Im on the fence here, would probably put Pfriem here instead.)
Full Sail (for free pint glasses only)
Logsdon

Bend
Boneyard
10 Barrel
Crux
Goodlife


Bottleshops along the way:

Beermongers
Belmont Station
Crowsfeet Commons
Bier Stein

I would fill a a few growlers at Boneyard and also fill capped pint bottles at Imperial in Portland (depending on selection)


Also check online Portland tap lists at:

Imperial
Apex
Beermongers
Belmont Station


And all that would be my Dream beer-cation, if my life wasn't already one big beer-cation. Have Fun!!

 

This is true, but we also get a lot more traffic, which means the sought after things disappear in a flash here while lingering on the shelves in Bend (and Eugene, assuming the Double Barrel Jesus thread is any indication). Just off the top of my head, I'd would be very surprised if there was any Ale Apothecary bottles sitting around in Portland, but I would bet good money that you could find them in at least 1 or 2 places in Bend.

 

Unless things have changed since the last time I was there, you should know that there's not much in the way of anything to "visit" at Boneyard. It's pretty much a "fill up your growler and leave" sort of affair. I don't think there was even an option to get anything other than tasters to consume there.

I love de Garde, but it is way out of the way of the rest of your trip (and pretty limited hours). Maybe a game-time decision based on whether there's something really interesting available that day would be appropriate.

I'd skip Rogue.

I'd consider adding Commons, Cascade, and Breakside. And, since you're passing through Hood River, Logsdon.

 

Solid suggestions. OP, I'd suggest following De Garde on FB if possible, because they're pretty good about snapping pictures of the draft/bottle list every couple days so you can see in advance whether it's worth the trip (which it generally is).

Also, keep in mind that De Garde, Commons, Upright, and Logsdon's all have limited hours for their tasting rooms, so you might have to prioritze or skip things that don't line up with your schedule.

De Garde: Thurs/Fri 4-8, Sat 12-8
Commons: Thur/Fri 5-9, Sat 2-9, Sun 2-6
Upright: Thur/Fri 5-9, Sat 1-8, Sun 1-6
Logsdon's: Thurs-Sat: Noon-4

Last but not least, if you have the option I would suggest visting the Breakside production facility in Milwaukie rather than the pub in NE Portland (unless you're hungry). The pub only has 8-10 taps, while the tasting room has 20+ different offerings.

 

Has anyone had any good beer from Riverbend lately? Just sayin...

 

I like Oakshire as well, they usually have some good draft-only stuff on and it's a nice enough place. Agrarian is a cool spot, especially at night.

 

If you're in Bend, hit me up!
Good Life, Bend Brewing (very very very good that only bottles locally), 10 Barrel, Crux, Boneyard, Silver Moon, Worthy, Cascade Lakes, Deschutes (naturally), Hopworks, etc etc.

 

By the Bottle, definitely. Yes, Washington does get some things that Oregon doesn't, but it's been a while since I've gone shopping there. Others can help...

 

Vancouver gets Fremont Brewing, I think? We also get Almanac which Oregon doesn't.

WA and OR have the same laws regarding growlers, it doesn't have to be the brewery's own growler. I don't know about plastic nalgene containers, never heard of anyone filling those.

 

If your dead set on rogue (the one in newport) then if your looking for a place to stay I recommend the halmark inn. Great place and georgies is really good and has great clam chowder. If you were talking about the portland rogue place then dis-regard all I just said