The weekend before last we found ourselves in Oregon’s largest town east of the Cascades. Here in Bend, we discovered a breadth of exceptional breweries. And, for a city with the same population as Asheville, North Carolina, which has been dubbed “Beer City USA”, Bend has more breweries. In the coming months, at least a handful of new breweries will emerge in Bend pushing it up to around 15 within the city.

In our last post about our most recent excursions in Bend, we mentioned the new on the scene GoodLife Brewing Co., which has been breaking ground into their 22,ooo square foot warehouse with some promising flavors, as well as the bursting at the seems Deschutes Brewery, which is at the top of Oregon’s players when it comes to artisan beer production. Read More…

Posted under Beer personalities, Oregon beer, beer reviews, brewpubs, places to drink beer

How far are brewing style guidelines to be pushed? Brown Porters, Black IPAs, Strong Pale, and now, after a series of tinkering with various recipes, Deschutes Brewery is unleashing their Chainbreaker White IPA in bottles. You may remember their collaborative Conflux 2 release White IPA release done in conjunction with Boulevard Brewing of Kansas City. This beer, though sharing some similar characteristics, is much different. Slated to be released in late March 2012, Chainbreaker is described by the brewery as a “hop-forward, citrus-packed beer with an unmistakably smooth character” with distribution expanded throughout the 19 states where Deschutes send their goods.

“We’re always experimenting with new ingredients and new styles at the brewery,” said Cam O’Connor, brewmaster for Deschutes. “In the case of Chainbreaker our Read More…

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For some time, going to Bend, Oregon in the midst of winter was a tradition of mine. There’s something about being in Oregon’s high desert hub this time of year that feels like a magical winter wonderland escape. Perhaps its the snow falling on Ponderosa pines alongside lava flows near the Deschutes River. Or, perhaps, more realistically, it’s the supply of excellent beer produced locally here in the state’s biggest city east of the Cascade Mountains.

Deschutes Brewery

A no-brainer for any beer lover in Bend has remained the Deschutes Brewery, a staple not just here in Bend, but in our great state as well. Since 1988, Deschutes has been a pioneer of the craft brewing movement, starting with their Black Butte Porter, which at the time of its initial release, was quite a daring undertaking. Today, with more and more craft breweries springing up around the country (more than 1,700 at last count), Deschutes bravely Read More…

Posted under Beer personalities, Oregon beer, beer reviews, brewpubs, places to drink beer

The Oregon craft beer world witnessed another brewer shakeup this week as Barley Brown’s head brewer Shawn Kelso announced that he will step down from his post at the Baker City, OR Brewpub to assume a position with the rapidly growing 10 Barrel Brewing Co. of Bend, OR.

Kelso, an accomplished brewer with multiple medals at the Great American Beer Festival and World Beer Cup – perhaps most notable was his 2010 gold medal at GABF for Barley Brown’s Turmoil CDA- will help with 10 Barrels expansion efforts into Boise, ID.

After 11 years at Barley Brown’s, Kelso, a native of Baker City, says the move to Boise, about 120 miles east, is a “better opportunity for me and my family.” 10 Barrel looks to open a new facility in Idaho with a bottling line. Further, the veteran brewer will be doing some commuting to Bend to aid in brand development. “I will also have a presence in Bend.” he says.  Other notable brewers at 10 Barrel include brewmaster Jimmy Seifrit, formerly of Deschutes Brewery, and Tonya Cornett of Bend Brewing. “It’s a cool opportunity to be a part of a team who is very accomplished in the industry.”  

Barley Brown’s owner Tyler Brown made this public statement on Facebook yesterday:

As many of you have heard, Shawn Kelso is leaving Barley Brown’s to take a brewing job at larger brewery. We wish him the the best of luck in his new adventure.

Kelso looks to begin his post with 10 Barrel Brewing in March of this year. We wish him the best in his endeavors. More on this story to come soon.

Posted under Beer personalities, Oregon beer, beer news, brewpubs

WHAT: Yes, it’s time once again to fall into the rich chocolately goodness that is The Abyss. The first wax-dipped bottles of 2011 will be available for sale in the Portland and Bend pubs during these special release parties. Early sales are limited to six bottles per person. More details coming soon, so check your local calendars and Deschutes’ website for details.

WHEN: November 15, time tbd

WHERE: Deschutes’ Portland Public House, NW 11^th & Davis, Portland, OR

Deschutes’ Bend Public House, 1044 NW Bond St., Bend, OR

Posted under beer events, beer news, beer releases, events

A beer for the ages. Deschutes Brewery‘s “The Abyss” is not your average imperial stout, it is a deep, mindful and mealy beast in a bottle. Each year since 2006, this hearty robust sipper returns as a must have for any next level beer lover. Wax dipped in handsome 22-ounce bottles, The Abyss is an entity unto itself worthy of the esteem of a select few national barrel-aged double stouts such as Surley Darkness and Three Floyds Dark Lord.

2011′s The Abyss releases to the public at 11AM PST on Tuesday November 15, 2011 at Deschutes’ Bend and Portland brewpubs. Each year the vintage encompasses some Read More…

Posted under Oregon beer, beer events, beer releases, brewpubs, places to drink beer

Another great weekend here in Beervana and we’re still finding no rest for our hard working livers. Still, what do you expect when the robust, dark and triumphant brews of winter have been knocking at our doors since late summer.

Movember Spawned a Monster

So if you haven’t heard, the eleventh month formerly known as November is now referred to as “Movember.” Supposedly conceived by a group of Aussie dudes, the term is a portmanteau of the words “mustache” and “November.” Tippling about a town in a region where bearded brethren and mustachioed monsieur are often par for the course, we Read More…

Posted under Oregon beer, beer events, places to drink beer

Who’s your daddy? Tonight, it’s Deschutes Brewery! When we say total tap takeover, we mean it. We’ll be pouring beers you’ve never even heard of that Deschutes has dreamed up in its crazy brewing laboratories at its Bend and Portland brew pubs. Check out the giant list of beers: The Abyss 2010 & 2011, Conflux No. 2, Black Butte XXIII, The Stoic, Fresh Hop Mirror Pond, Chainbreaker White IPA, Black Butte Porter, Obsidian Stout, Mirror Pond Pale Ale, Hop Trip, Inversion IPA, Jubelale and Green Lakes Organic Ale. Experimental pub-only beers (only chance to get these in Corvallis!!) LoveChild IPA, Cinder Cone Red, Super Jubel, Crown Point Brown, Rye-ders on the Storm, Odysseus IPA, Armory XPA, Coleman Stout, Nitro Jubelale and Nitro Obsidian Stout

Posted under Oregon beer, beer events, events, places to drink beer

No, this isn’t a mistake! You read it right – Deschutes beers are only $1 per pint for two hours. All to celebrate Deschutes Brewery Base Camp – Taylor’s is the only place in town to get this great deal on favorites like Mirror Pond Pale Ale and Black Butte Porter.

WHERE: Taylor’s Bar and Grille, 894 East 13th Avenue, Eugene, OR

Posted under Oregon beer, beer events, events, places to drink beer

Attention homebrewers…stand up and be recognized!  Escort your proudest homebrew to Bier Stein.  We will transport it to Bend for a thorough Deschutes Brewery Sensory Panel evaluation.  Prizes will be awarded for best label, story, and overall flavor.  The Grand Prize Winner will earn a day with a brewer in one of Deschutes Brewery’s brewhouses in Bend or Portland!

To enter: Please bring one 22 oz. bottle of your brew to the Bier Stein on November 16.  Attach a creative label to the bottle.  Also attach some paper. All with a rubber band.  This paper should include: name of beer, style and description, IBUs and ABV (if known), full name of homebrewer, phone number, e-mail address…and the story behind the beer.  Then count yourself in! (First 20 bottles only.)

In addition to the Homebrew Battle, receive complimentary brewing supplies including clone recipe booklets and bags of whole flower hops to use in your next homebrew. We will also have some specialty beer tastings and Deschutes Brewery staff will be there to answer all of your beer questions! Hope to see you here!

Posted under Oregon beer, beer events, events, places to drink beer