Precious little is handed to anyone in Central Oregon’s robust brewing scene that isn’t hard-won.
In roughly two years, Tonya Cornett went from being laid off from the Canadian cannabis company that owns 10 Barrel Brewing, to winning a slew of awards for the beers she helped create as a co-owner at UPP Liquids, the brewery formerly known as Immersion Brewing. Those beers, which include two sours, two stouts, a kölsch and a session mead, won five total medals at the Oregon Beer Awards. UPP Liquids also won Small Brewery of the Year and Best New Brewery.
While the state’s beermakers recognize Cornett’s work at UPP, the fact that she has now won Best Local Brewer on the Source’s Best of Central Oregon readers’ poll must indicate that Bend beer hounds are excited about Cornett’s recipes, as well. Making UPP a destination for locals and tourists alike was an initial goal for the brewery, and it seems they’re well on their way.
“I’m lucky to call many brewers in town my friends. We all work together to make Bend a beer destination,” Cornett told the Source by email. “Winning this award means that people are talking about UPP, including other breweries. Every day, someone walks in and says another brewery recommended they stop in. I can’t think of a bigger compliment.”
Cornett is the first female brewer to win the Source’s Best Brewer award.
“There are many women brewers in the industry, silently working hard, making the best beer they can, trying to get noticed,” Cornett said. “I hope I have been an inspiration to other women over the years. There is no reason a woman can’t be successful in this field.”
An aspect that Cornett enjoys about the UPP brewery/taproom space, located in the Box Factory, is the proximity regulars have with the brewers, whose tanks are located near the bar. To stoke conversation, Cornett and her crew established a mug club early on.
“It was amazing being in the brewery and hearing chatter from the bar — we had our first regulars!” Cornett said. “We’ve gotten to know them over the past year and they have become part of the UPP family. I love hearing about what they love on the beer list or what they would like to see come back.”
Runner-Up: Nate Doss — Bevel Craft Brewing
UPP Liquids
550 SW Industrial Way #185, Bend
Uppliquids.com
Sun-Thurs 11:30am-9pm
Fri & Sat 11:30am-10pm
This article appears in Best of Central Oregon 2026 and the Source August 13, 2026.
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