If Helen of Troy’s was the face that launched a thousand ships, Sierra Nevada Pale Ale was the beer that launched a thousand (or 7,000, by today’s count!) breweries. First released by the pioneering Chico, California brewery in 1980, Sierra Nevada Pale Ale introduced the world to the grapefruit punch of Northwest-grown Cascade hops, and […]
Beer & Drink
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Taste of Belgium
Care of Monkless
Monkless Brewing is far from new in Central Oregon, but it’s the only brewery currently specializing in Belgian-style beer. Now is a good time to learn (or re-learn) about Monkless, as they’ll soon have two locations! The owners just signed a lease to the “red building on the river,” downstream from the Old Mill, formerly […]
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Cheers to Cocktail Week
From June 10 to 14, a host of local bars offer $5 special bevvies
Plenty of bars and restaurants in Central Oregon serve up inventive and/or delicious cocktails—but when’s the last time you could count on getting one made with local spirits for just $5? Thank goodness Cocktail Week is upon us. Starting June 10, eight local establishments will be rolling out the banner on Cocktail Week, offering up […]
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Megaphone Coffee Returns to Old Stomping Grounds
Coffee meets brewery at the new Beer Club on Galveston
Lemon pistachio is probably not the first flavor that one might gravitate toward when ordering coffee, so I had to try this one out for myself. The barista behind the counter assured me that it’s surprisingly complementary to the steamed macadamia milk and full-bodied espresso. Made with lemon zest and pistachio paste, the simple syrup […]
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Elixir Pushes Central Oregon Wine Growth
Tasting room crush site in downtown Bend
In a leap of faith, Kirk Ermisch bought the property on Lava and Arizona in 2008 because it sits in the center of town. Located on the edge of the historic district, Ermisch had no idea what would happen with the neighborhood, since it was still undeveloped—but back then, he’d heard a Market of Choice […]
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Festival Season Begins with Central Oregon Beer Week
Back for its seventh year, Central Oregon Beer Week begins with a kickoff party Friday night at Kobold Brewing‘s The Vault Taphouse. The festival, now under the direction of the Central Oregon Brewer’s Guild, runs from Friday May 17 to Sunday May 26. The “Beer Week” phenomenon began in 2007 with Philadelphia Beer Week. It […]
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Sunriver in Eugene
A taste of Central Oregon in the Valley
Sunriver Brewing Company opened a pub in Eugene early this spring. The Oakway Pub is located in the Oakway Center, just north of Autzen Stadium. It’s a decent sized, modern pub, with seating upstairs and downstairs. The upstairs is set up so that you look down onto the first floor of the pub. A bar […]
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Boss Rambler Beer Club Opens
A brewery like no other
Boss Rambler Brewing opened to the public April 20. I made it in the next day to check it out. The first thing you notice is how much the outside of the building has changed from when it was a board shop. It’s bright and inviting with an enormous “Beer Club” sign. The outdoor seating […]
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Gompers Distillery Grand Opening
First distillery in Redmond is a throwback to the 1920s
When your grandfather survives the Holocaust and goes on to be a badass baker to the who’s who of Hollywood stars, including Tom Jones and David Bowie, what do you do? “Don’t be ordinary,” said Gompers Distillery owner Jessica Hart. “It’s the motto we live by.” She and her husband Michael have honored Herman Gompers […]
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It Ain’t Easy Brewing Green
Cannabis beers continue to evolve and gain popularity, despite challenges
Beer and cannabis have been informally linked for generations. With the growing legalization movement and general mainstreaming of cannabis culture, the relationship has become formalized. From early hemp beers to modern CBD- and terpene-laden IPAs, cannabis and beer together has become more than a novelty and is poised to be a trend. It comes as […]