It wasn’t terribly long ago that residents of Bend’s northeastern quadrant didn’t have much in the way of local beer. Folks nearby downtown or in the Old Mill are spoiled for choice, with 10 or so craft brewers and many more fine pubs within walking distance. Around the northeast, though, Bridge 99 Brewery and the […]
Oregon Beer
Posted inFood & Drink
Bend Brewsters
The scene stands out for its female D leaders
It is no longer a great novelty to see women in professional brewing—especially in Oregon, where the sheer size of the scene dictates that at least a few must be involved, statistically speaking. Among Bend’s breweries, though, women still stand out, thanks to the roles they’ve taken as brewmasters focused on research and development. “I […]
Posted inFood & Drink
Some of That Sweet, Sweet Hop Bud
Lagunitas and its nod to the origin of “420”
The Lagunitas Brewing Company of Petaluma, Calif., is such a massive brewery these days that—thanks to being half-owned by Heineken International—it no longer counts as a “craft brewer” the way the Brewers Association defines it. With a second large production facility in Chicago and a third opening soon in Azusa, Calif., Tony Magee’s brew operation […]
Posted inFood & Drink
Grounding the Flight
A case for enjoying a taproom visit without a billion little glasses
It’s a typical Saturday afternoon at Crux Fermentation Project: families and dogs outside, diners and beer nerds inside, and what seem to be half a dozen taster trays underneath the taps, waiting to be filled. “They tend to come and go in waves,” the bartender comments. “It’s sort of the same deal as Bloody Marys. […]
Posted inFood & Drink
Drinking In the Spring
Go a little citrus-y, a bit red or a lot hoppy
It’s a couple weeks into spring, and despite the fact that people could be skiing until the summer solstice this year, it’s finally starting to feel juuuust a bit like the season around town. To the season-aware beer connoisseur, warmer months always bring saisons to mind. Originally brewed during cooler times of the year in […]
Posted inSpecial Issues & Guides
2017 Beer Issue
Your guide to breweries in Central Oregon, beer and food pairings, art on beer labels and more
With Central Oregon blooming into spring, the weather is just screaming the mantra, “the sudsier, the better.” With a slew of craft beer selections, our 2017 Beer Issue delves deep into this yum-tastic world of all things hops, yeast and grain. We offer an in-depth brewery guide that tells you something about each of our […]
Posted inSpecial Issues & Guides
What to eat with that beer?
Turns out, there are certified professionals who can probably help
In honor of the Beer Issue, we’re turning our attention this week to beer pairings. When you’re in a well-heeled restaurant with an abundant wine list, it comes as little surprise to see a sommelier—a wine steward—approach your table to help you pair the perfect combo of food and wine. But think about it: Wine […]
Posted inSpecial Issues & Guides
All About Beer Around Bend
The one-stop guide to breweries in Central Oregon
Almost no place can claim such a density of brewing activity as Bend and its surrounding county. It’s a hive of hops and barley—and with places like Boneyard and Kobold opening new taprooms in 2017, it’s still expanding. Grab a ride (could the timing have been better for Uber and Lyft to begin serving Bend?), […]
Posted inFood & Drink
Beer Abounds in Boise
On a tour of U.S. beer (this time closer to home!), Payette Brewing leads a suddenly-crowded pack
The drive along US-20 between Central Oregon and Boise can be pretty boring: vast tracts of uninhabited, sagebrush-filled land with little to ease the monotony until the mountains past Burns. But Idaho’s capital is worth at least a weekend visit for any Bendite, thanks to its towering state capitol, its vast array of outdoor activities […]
Posted inFood & Drink
10 Barrel, Brewpub Chain
New openings in Denver
and San Diego
It could be difficult to imagine for the Bendites (and their dogs) who pack around the bonfire pit every weekend on Galveston Avenue, but 10 Barrel Brewing Company has become a brewery with a national presence, one that even rivals Deschutes in spots. This is thanks to two things: An A-B InBev-affiliated distribution market that […]