Where can you get great beer, meet with friends (or make new ones) plus enjoy an experience that you won’t quickly forget?  Well, it is time to get the party started at Deschutes Brewery, Bend Oregon.  The perfect place to spend a Saturday afternoon enjoying beer plus getting a chance to tour the original brewery of Bend.  Furthermore, you get to sample some amazing beer and even find a few to take home with you!

Deschutes Brewery History

Started as a small brew pub in downtown Bend by Gary Fish in 1988, Deschutes Brewery has grown and is still expanding.  In their first year, they sold 310 barrels of beer but by 1992, they were selling 3,954 barrels.  With production increasing, they soon realized they would need a bigger facility and thus was born the brewing facility.    Not only do they have 2 brew houses and a brewing facility, they have also recently added a Pilot Brewhouse which is a dream come true for them.  This new addition opens the door to even more creativity and new beer options for everyone.  What’s next for them . . .an east coast brewing facility in Roanoke Virginia in 2021.

Brewery Tour

Our tour was led by Kristin Wells, Ambassador/Owner, who has been with Deschutes for over 7 years.   When she first moved to Bend, she knew where she wanted to work – Deschutes!  However, it took her 4 years of persistence before her dream became a reality.  Kristin loves the people, the product and the Deschutes environment.  As you walk through the facility, you can’t help but see the love and care that goes into making the best beer.  The tour normally lasts about 45 minutes and you get to see every facet of beer brewing right through to the bottling and packing.  The process that goes into making beer is amazing and so much more than I ever imagined!  Plus, you get to sample some of the different beers as you walk through the tour.  According to Kristin, one of the jobs available at Deschutes . . .beer taster!  It is only a part time job, but that’s okay, sign me up!

Environment

Can you imagine a company where everyone is family as well as an owner?  Deschutes Brewery is all about making great beer and an appreciation for their “owners”.  Going the extra mile for their owners, Deschutes has chef prepared meals, onsite beer drinking (only after your shift of course!) and a personalized beer pint.  What could be better than grabbing a beer with your team after work without having to leave the building!  Brewers put their name in a “hat” for a chance to unleash their creativity to come up with a new beer creation in the Pilot Brewhouse.  Basically, it feels more like family than co-workers and it shows by how much they love their work.

Tasting Room

First of all, as you walk into the lobby, you can’t help but feel the excitement and energy that flows from the tasting room.  The laughter draws you in because you just need to be part of the action.  Step up to the bar or grab a seat at one of the high-top tables and get ready to be amazed.  The beer selection is vast and you never know what new beer they are offering straight from the Pilot Brewhouse just down the hall.  You will probably find more than one that you can’t live without!  Since I am someone who never cared for a dark beer, it was a new experience for me to try one.  However, I’m so glad I did because now I’m in love with “the beer that started it all” — Black Butte Porter.  Rich, full bodied flavor which includes coffee and chocolate make this perfect.  Ever wanted beer for breakfast – add some expresso and a bit of whipped cream and you are ready for the day!  My other favorite is Pear & Bergamot Sour.  One of the newest in their collection with 3 more flavors to follow.

Beers

The beer selection is extensive, plus they are adding new ones all the time.  Here are some of the choices you will have:

Year-Round Core Beers

• Black Butte Porter
• Mirror Pond Pale Ale
• Inversion IPA
• Obsidian Stout
• Pacific Wonderland Lager
• American Wheat

Seasonals

•  Red Chair NWPA (named for the Red Chair lift at Mt. Bachelor)
•  Hop Slice Summer Ale
•  Hopzeit Autumn IPA
•  Jubelale

Bond Street Series – Inspired by the Bond Street Pub

•  HOP Henge IPA
•  Fresh Squeezed IPA
• Pinedrops India Pale Ale IPA
• Sagefright Imperial IPA
• Swivelhead Red India Style Red Ale
• Hop Trip, A Fresh Hop Pale Ale (brewed just hours after hops are harvested)
• Chasin’ Freshies, Fresh Hop IPA (brewed right as they harvest)

Reserve – experimental, coddled beers

• Black Butte XXIX
• Cultivateur
• Pinot Suave
• Black Butte XXVIII
• the dissident
• The Abyss

Collaborations

• Black Butte Whiskey
• Collage #2

Sours – New will have a total of 4, this is the first.

• Pear & Bergamot

Jubelale Hall of Fame

Jubelale was first introduced in 1988 and just celebrated it’s 30 year anniversary.   It was the first beer bottled and also the first beer put into six packs.  In 1995 Gary Fish wanted this beer to really stand out and be different, so he decided to change Jubelale’s label every year.  Deschutes Brewery commissions a local or regional artist to create the artwork that will be turned into the current year’s label.   As you get to the end of the tour, you get to walk the “Hall of Fame” where every piece of the original artwork is on display.  Finally, at the end of the hall is a showcase displaying the bottle that matches each piece of art.  2017 artwork, four separate snowflakes” is on display down in the tasting room.  If you buy a six pack, you will get each one of the snowflakes.  Jubelale is great beer and because of the unique approach to the labeling, they are also a collector’s piece.  This is truly a “labor of love” for Deschutes because changing the label every year is a process all in itself.  It is just another example of how this brewery goes above and beyond to create an experience, not just a great beer!

Adventure Grammy Recap

If you are a beer lover, you need to make the trip to Deschutes Brewery in Bend.  Not only will you get amazing beer, you will have incredible fun.  The energy, enthusiasm and people are an experience you will not soon forget.  Basically, you need to take the tour, stop by the tasting room and pick up a growler or two of your favorites to take home.  Want to see where it all began and enjoy some fantastic food?  Stop into Bend’s original brew pub, Bend Public House on Bond Street.  Lots to choose from on the “beer-centric” menu featuring fresh, locally sourced ingredients.  This truly memorable adventure is one you do not want to miss.  Most of all, it is time to get your adventure on and make plans to head to Deschutes Brewery in Bend Oregon!