With a population of just under 80,000, Bend is certainly not a large city. However, as the hub to at least 26 breweries in the Central Oregon region, Bend towers over many major metropolises in the world of craft beer.

Bend straddles the Deschutes River and is located on the eastern edge of the Cascade Mountain Range. The town started as a crossing point at a “bend” in the river. Today, Bend is identified as a gateway for many outdoor sports, including mountain biking, fishing, hiking, camping, rock climbing, white-water rafting, skiing, paragliding and golf.

The best source for craft beer information for Bend and the Central Oregon region is The Brew Site, written by Jon Abernathy. The Brew Site is an essential information source for planning any craft beer enjoyment in the Bend area.  I met Jon when attending the Beer Blogger’s Conference in August and he graciously offered to help guide my visit to Bend. Thanks Jon!

I didn’t have the time to visit all the breweries in the area, but I did manage a good sampling start.

10 Barrel Brewing

Started in 2006, 10 Barrel Brewing is a small batch brewery in Bend with pubs in Bend, Portland, and Boise, ID.  My wife and I stopped at the 10 Barrel Bend pub for dinner and beer the first night we arrived in Bend.  This is a very popular spot so plan to either get there early or to wait in line.

Our server, Clinton, (who normally works behind the bar) was very knowledgeable about beer, did an excellent job of guiding me through the fourteen beers available on tap, and was just a fun and nice person to meet.

I sampled 11 beers and recommend you also try a sample flight on your first visit.

One of my favorites was the P2P American Stout (7.5% ABV / 75 IBU). This beer pours a very dark amber and black color with thick brown foam. Aromas of tar, tobacco, and espresso coffee prevail. P2P is medium-bodied with mild carbonation. Flavors of tobacco, tar, espresso are followed by a background of dark chocolate. Assertive hops bitterness accompanies a dry finish.

Three weeks after I visited 10 Barrel Brewing, they won 3 Medals at the 2014 Great American Beer Festival including a Bronze Medal for P2P American Stout in the American-Style Stout Category.

Broken Top Bottle Shop

Broken Top Bottle Shop (BTBS) and Ale Cafe is not a brewery, but it is a great place to sample a wide range of area brews (12 rotating taps), buy bottled beer, and eat (the vegan dishes are outstanding!).

While at BTBS, I scored some brews from The Ale Apothecary, which specializes in small-batch vintage, oak barrel beers. I’ll report on these brews in a future post.

Another good spot for sampling and purchasing regional beer is Crow’s Feet Commons. This is also a great location for having a morning coffee or anything related to bicycles.

Crux Fermentation Project

Offering great mountain and sunset views, Crux Fermentation Project was one of my favorite stops.  Crux Brewmaster Larry Sidor employs a diversity of brewing methods to create a regularly changing menu of artisanal beers.

Jon Abernathy (of The Brew Site) and his wonderful wife Sherri joined us at Crux Fermentation Project. The brewery is spectacular to gaze upon. Indoor and outdoor seating are available. The food is excellent.

I sampled 6 beers and one of my favorites was the Peated Scotch Ale (8.5% ABV / 40 IBU). This beer pours a clear dark amber color with tan foam that left a classic “Brussels Lace” on the side of the glass. Thick aromas of toasted malt and caramel prevail. Peated Scotch Ale is full-bodied with mild carbonation. The beer has delicious flavors of sweet caramel malt with hints of fruit followed by light peat in the background. If you like Scotch Ales, this is a good one to try.

Sunriver Brewing Company

Located in Sunriver (an unincorporated resort community about 17 miles south from Bend), Sunriver Brewing Company was launched in 2012. The head brewer is Brett Thomas, who is a 2010 Falconer Foundation scholarship recipient and a 2011 graduate of the American Brewers Guild with a degree in Intensive Brewing Science and Engineering.

If you make a trip to Sunriver Brewing Company, I suggest trying the Hop Shop Series ISA (4.8% ABV / 48 IBU). This beer offers lots of IPA flavor (including pine, peach, and tropical fruit) loaded into a low-alcohol session beer.

Bend Brewing Company

Located in downtown Bend and overlooking Mirror Pond, Bend Brewing Company has won numerous Great American Beer Festival (GABF) and North American Brewers Association medals as well as one World Beer Cup Medal. Their most recent award came 3 weeks after my visit when their Salmonberry Sour Ale won a GABF Gold Medal in the Indigenous/Regional Beer Category. I have to be honest and note that I tried the Salmonberry Sour Ale while there and was not a huge fan of this beer. However, I do recommend trying the Outback X Strong Ale (9.5% ABV / 60 IBU).

 McMenamins

Operating since 1983, McMenamins is dedicated to combining unique experiences (an eclectic mix of pubs, historic hotels, movie theaters, concert venues, spas, and events) with their own handcrafted beer, wine, spirits and coffee. With over 24 breweries now in operation, this combination has proved to be a success.

We visited the McMenamins Old St. Francis School in Bend for lunch. While there, I ran into Jon Abernathy of The Brew Site and he introduced me to Head Brewer Mike “Curly” White.

McMenamins Old St. Francis School is a must visit for anyone seeking a unique experience. Try a sample flight of beers, like I did.

One of my favorites was the Our Town Brown Ale (5.5% ABV / 29 IBU). This light-bodied beer offers a wonderful toasted malt flavor with a hint of toffee that is followed by mild hop bitterness.

Boneyard Beer

As Boneyard Beer’s website notes, “In 2010, Boneyard Beer was started in an old auto shop tucked away in the back streets of Bend, Oregon’s historical district. After decades in the brewing industry, owner Tony Lawrence built up a “boneyard” of old equipment he collected from 13 different breweries around the country. Alongside co-founders, Clay and Melodee Storey, this second-hand brewing equipment was pieced together to brew the first batch of Boneyard Beer in May 2010.”

I actually had my first Boneyard Beer – Chingadera (a collaboration between Boneyard Beer and Alpine Beer Company) – while at Broken Top Bottle Shop. Chingadera is a Double India Red Ale (9% ABV) that provides rich and outstanding flavors of malt with grapefruit and pine.

I sampled 4 additional beers while visiting Boneyard Beer. In addition to Chingadera, I suggest you try the Diablo Rojo American Red (5.5% ABV / 30 IBU).

Deschutes Brewery

Okay, I saved the largest and best for last. Established in 1988 and Bend’s first brewery, Deschutes Brewery has evolved into a craft brewing powerhouse that was ranked 6th in the U.S. by the Brewers Association in 2013 as measured by beer sales volume.