The tiny city of Oakridge, apart from neighboring Westfir, is the only Oregon city completely surrounded by national forest. This fact, when combined with the hundreds of miles of trails and relatively steep terrain, make Oakridge an ideal mountain biking destination. Turns out, it's not so bad for beer drinking either. A few years ago […]
Beer & Drink
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All Day Long
Boneyard’s Bone Light is for summer
Finally craft brewers have figured out that not every beer has to be so heavy that it's one-and-done. Oftentimes, a light, easy-drinking, “give-me-another” makes more sense. (Plus, better for business, am I right?) Enter the simple session ale, this summer’s beer du jour. Hood River’s Full Sail Brewing has been making Session Lager (5.1%, 18 […]
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A New Moon?
New owners and look for Silver Moon Brewing
Silver Moon Brewing, established in 2000, is finally getting a makeover. The exact look, though, is hard to pinpoint, as new co-owner James Watts has been decidedly coy. Here’s what we know: On June 25 Cycle Pub owner James Watts, along with Snap Fitness owner Matt Barrett, bought the brewery from its founder, Tyler Reichert. […]
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In the Bottle
Crux Insider IPA
Crux is now bottling, and three flavors are available at Newport Market, although already one was sold out. Nonetheless, it was the Insider IPA I was looking for, as a treat to bring to an after-work, porch-sitting chill-out session with two other guys. Served in single pint bottles, these are perfect serving sizes. The label […]
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Gary’s No Quit Wit
Worthy rolls out tribute beer for Gary Bonacker, Tour des Chutes
On July 10, Bend beer drinkers will get to raise a pint of “Gary’s No Quit Wit,” Worthy Brewing’s latest creation, in honor of Bend living legend Gary Bonacker, Sunnyside Sports co-owner and mountain bike pioneer. Also, cancer fighter and creator of Tour des Chutes, a benefit ride he created. Ten years ago Bonacker was […]
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Double Whammy from Deschutes!
Deschutes Brewery rolls out two for summer (or whenever)
Fresh Squeezed IPA, 6 % An IPA that IPA doubters/haters will like. Why’s that? For starters, because the hops aren’t smothering the beer, nor are they covering anything else up. And, the hops that are there, are more citrus than pine, and not hops for the sake of more hops. (Is it clear I’m not […]
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Drinky McDrink
Give the beer a break and try these instead
Aviation American Gin, 84 proof Forget the juniper-flavored ethyl alcohol most associated with mass-produced gins. Portland’s Aviation flies at a higher altitude. A dry gin, made by the Portland-based House Spirits, Aviation relies more on florals and savory notes—lavender, cardamom, anise, Indian sarsaparilla—rather than the traditional juniper berry; this means it is perfect alone, or […]
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Beer on the Brain
A weekend worth of wobbly
Bend’s beer scene is growing up. And with age comes grace, or at least a full weekend of beer-centric events. Thursday, June 20: Fermentation Celebration 5-10 pm at the Old Mill District. $20 (includes silipint and drink tickets). A beer walk (wobble) through the Old Mill featuring EVERY area brewery, as well as the new […]
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Sipping is for Suckers
2nd Annual Mixology takes over Minnesota Ave.
The Second Annual Mixology event will blockade three blocks of Minnesota Avenue, filling the street with booths from a few dozen distilleries and providing three fully staffed bars with some of the sharpest bartenders in the region. But this is not Mardi Gras (leave the beads at home, hussie); a satellite to Bite of Bend, […]
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Super Summer Swill
Three cheers for 10 Barrel’s new summer beer
Summer is an important time for beer. In the oppressive summertime heat, a light refreshing ale can be critical in the wake of any sweat-soaked activity, from lawn mowing to 100 miles of bike riding. The mark of a great summer beer is its ability to be consumed en masse and still float comfortably atop […]