Visiting Bend/Sunriver (early 2017)

Discussion in 'Northwest' started by sharpski, Jan 30, 2017.

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  1. sharpski

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

    An update reflecting changes to Central Oregon's beer landscape in the last year or so. 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
    Bend Brewing switched from 22oz bottles to 500ml, label redesign
    Bend Brewing's Ian Larkin moving to 10 Barrel
    Boneyard's taproom expected to open in the Spring
    Kobold Brewing announced plans for taproom in Redmond
    2nd Prineville brewery, Crooked River Brewery, slated to open
    Terrebonne brewery on hop farm, Good Earth Brewing, expected to open in 2017

    Brewery breakdown by town
    Bend 19
    Redmond 4
    Prineville 1
    Sisters 1
    Sunriver 2
     
    #1 sharpski, Jan 30, 2017
    Last edited: Jan 30, 2017
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  2. sharpski

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

    A little commentary outside the top post:

    WhiteWater Taproom has become a new favorite spot, devoting consistent tap space to smaller/self-distributed breweries in Central Oregon and beyond. Best bet to find Kobold, Monkless, Tranquilo, etc. on tap.

    Rimrock Taphouse opened in Redmond with 50 taps. Only been once, and the 50 taps are dominated by IPAs and IIPAs, but it's a nice new space that complements Jersey Boys, Wild Ride, and the Beer Stop in Redmond.
     
    #2 sharpski, Jan 30, 2017
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  3. distantmantra

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

    What's the timeframe for the current Platypus Pub/Brew Shop building to be torn down?
     
    #3 distantmantra, Jan 30, 2017
  4. sharpski

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

    My last understanding was that their lease was up this March or April, but that was nearly a year ago. They don't bring up the topic themselves, and are pretty vague when asked. *shrug*
     
    #4 sharpski, Jan 30, 2017
  5. distantmantra

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

    I'm not headed to Bend until May, was hoping I might get to hang out in the old space one more time.
     
    #5 distantmantra, Jan 31, 2017
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  6. dphi

    dphi Zealot (534) Apr 14, 2013 Oregon

    #6 dphi, Jan 31, 2017
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  7. distantmantra

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

    #7 distantmantra, Jan 31, 2017
  8. BBThunderbolt

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

    #8 BBThunderbolt, Jan 31, 2017
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  9. vurt

    vurt Grand Pooh-Bah (4,504) Apr 11, 2004 Oregon
    Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    <design opinion>

    The old labels didn't have much consistency, and the artwork was generally not that great.

    These labels are an improvement, in that they show at least some consistency across the brand range. I agree with @dphi that the logo bears a strong resemblance to the linked initials on the Baerlic labels. It doesn't help that Bend Brewing Co. and Baerlic Brewing Co. share the same initials.

    Side note: Thin script type for the sour beers, and heavier/spur-serif type for all the others? Feels like a disconnect to me. Pick one or the other and be done with it. Include the words "Sour Ale" when you want people to know what they're getting if they don't understand beer styles.

    </design opinion>
     
    #9 vurt, Jan 31, 2017
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  10. sharpski

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

    That Ching Ching label was polarizing, but it's one of my favorites (if my avatar didn't clue you in) and I'm sorry to see it go. I'm not a fan of the new labels, but if the beer inside stays the same I'll have no problem continuing to pick them up. I've liked Josh's own recipes and have full confidence he will keep things tight after Ian departs.
     
    #10 sharpski, Feb 1, 2017
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  11. rails

    rails Initiate (0) Nov 8, 2012 California

    How is Boneyard not a must visit? They make the best IPas in Oregon.
     
    #11 rails, Feb 1, 2017
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  12. sharpski

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

    (small tasting room only)

    You can't get pints or sit down there, and their beer is readily available all over town. If somebody wants to visit "the source," it's likely for sentimental reasons rather than because it's the best way to experience their beer. Interested to see their new spot when it opens.
     
    #12 sharpski, Feb 1, 2017
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  13. Dil_thebeerdrinking_do

    Dil_thebeerdrinking_do Savant (1,192) Jan 21, 2014 Georgia
    Trader

    What size offerings do they provide
    ?
     
    #13 Dil_thebeerdrinking_do, Feb 1, 2017
  14. rrock44

    rrock44 Pooh-Bah (2,137) Oct 27, 2009 Washington
    Society Pooh-Bah

    I support this message.


    I believe a 2.5 taster glass is the serving size.
     
    #14 rrock44, Feb 1, 2017
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  15. Dil_thebeerdrinking_do

    Dil_thebeerdrinking_do Savant (1,192) Jan 21, 2014 Georgia
    Trader

    What are the laws like there in OR? I know in NC you cannot legally order another drink until the one you have is gone. Can I roll up there and order a "taster" of all the beers they have on at one time?
     
    #15 Dil_thebeerdrinking_do, Feb 1, 2017
  16. BBThunderbolt

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

    Boneyard is different than most NW breweries, in that they have a true "tasting" room, and not just a bar gussied up as a "tasting" room. It's been a fair bit since I've been, but Boneyard only has about 4 beers on tap, and you only get a 2-3 ounce sample of each. It's not a place to linger; you roll in, taste a couple things, get your growler filled, and hit the road. You're not going to be there 10 minutes.

    Most NW breweries do taster trays in their "Tap rooms", so folks can hang out.
     
    #16 BBThunderbolt, Feb 1, 2017
  17. distantmantra

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

    Like others have said, Boneyard's current public space is super tiny and not conducive to hanging out or doing flights. You go there to buy merchandise and get growler fills. The free taster (have to pay for anything after that) while you wait to buy stuff is just a bonus.
     
    #17 distantmantra, Feb 1, 2017
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  18. johnniehops

    johnniehops Crusader (497) Mar 25, 2015 Oregon
    Trader

    I visited Boneyard for the first time two weeks ago. What others have said regarding the size of the space is accurate. It is very small, standing room only, and no chairs. However, the staff is awesome and very approachable. They had nine beers on tap and we did a flight (1.5-2 oz tasters) of each for $7. They also have a crowler machine and fill growlers. The crowlers were some of the most affordable I've seen, especially considering the quality of their beer.
     
    #18 johnniehops, Feb 1, 2017
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  19. sharpski

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

    AFAIK, Boneyard's setup is self-chosen rather than due to legal requirements. The sample glasses are <4oz, with the first one free and $1/each after that. I think they have 9 taps now, but I suspect if you walked in and asked for a taster of everything they'd ask where you wanted to start and pour you 1 or 2 instead of all 9 at once. They don't have taster trays and counter space is limited, so 9 little glasses would be a hassle to manage if there's more than, say, 4 people in there at once.

    I'd recommend stopping by if you want crowlers or merch, but otherwise plan to do your Boneyard drinking at another venue.
     
    #19 sharpski, Feb 1, 2017
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  20. kingsleyr

    kingsleyr Initiate (0) Jun 20, 2005 Washington

    my experience was Boneyard poured one taster at a time per person
     
    #20 kingsleyr, Feb 1, 2017
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