Bend has the highest micro-brewery per capita in the nation and has earned the title of ‘Beer City USA’. Being from Milwaukee, WI I might have to dispute that title but…there are 16 micro-breweries in the greater Bend Area.
Guided tours are available, however, it’s another beautiful day so we decide to do our own self-guided tour instead. I think it makes it a little more flexible and fun.
What’s Our Plan/Strategy?
We pick up a “passport” and trail map.
Of the 16 breweries, there are about 10 to 12 that are reasonably walkable. So we go to the furthest one away and work our way back towards the west side of town. Let’s see if we have the endurance for the Bend Ale Trail! Off we go…
Stop #1 – Crux Fermentation Project
Featuring a large open outdoor area that includes, fire pits, picnic tables, yard games, and various food trucks – Crux is a place to sit and stay awhile. Too bad it’s only our first stop!!
Stop #2 – Immersion Brewing
Located in the middle of renovated factory warehouse, Immersion Brewing is best known for it’s ‘Brew-It-Yourself’ concept.
Stop #3 – Avid Cider Co
We’ve only hit our 2nd brewery and already we’ve wandered off trail. This cider company was right next door to Immersion so it was hard to avoid.
Stop #4 – Old Saint Francis
McMenamins Old Saint Francis School is a former Catholic school turned hotel, restaurant, bar, and movie theater. An old basement lunchroom is now a small-batch brewery.
Stop #5 – Boneyard
Launched in an old auto shop, Boneyard’s name comes from the brewing equipment rescued from the scrapyard.
Stop #6 – Silver Moon
Silver Moon started as a local home-brew supplier before opening as a brewery.
Stop #7 – M & J Tavern
We seem to have drifted off the trail again! We needed to take a break from drinking beer to get a Bloody Mary (and get our dive bar fix).
Stop #8 – Deschutes Brewery
Okay, we’re back on track. The Deschutes brewery is a family owned brewery originating in 1988.
Stop #9 – Bend Brewing Co
Located right on the river, the Bend Brewing Company has been around since 1995 and even earned a gold medal in the 2016 World Beer Cup.
Breweries Missed
10 Barrel Brewing CoCascade Lakes Brewing Co
Good Life Brewing Co
Monkless
Riverbend Brewing
Sunriver Brewing Co
Three Creeks Brewing
Wild Ride Brew
Worthy Brewing (Stopped here another night – so technically….)
Other Drinkable Diversions In Bend
Cideries
Avid Cider Co (visited)
Red Tank Cider
Distilleries
Backdrop Distilling
Cascade Alchemy
Cascade Street Distillery
Crater Lake Spirits
Oregon Spirit Distillers
Wineries
Faith, Hope And Charity Vineyards
Maragas Winery
Naked Winery
Va Piano
Kombucha
Final Results
After nearly 9 hours on the Bend Ale Trail – we visited 7 breweries, a cider house, and a dive bar. That’s a pretty solid effort, but we did unfortunately fail in our mission to get 10 passport stamps.
If we weren’t distracted by a couple of diversions along the way, I’m fairly certain we would have accomplished our objective. Oh well!
We had a great time – and really that was the ultimate goal.