Craft beer paradise

Beer is part of Bend culture, and we are darn proud of it. There are over 30 breweries in and around Bend and countless award-winning brews. So, you better believe we know how to beer in this town. And no matter where you’re staying, just type in “brewpubs near me,” and you’ll find a copious number of breweries, beer pubs, and tasting rooms to pick from.

Bend’s breweries are making some of the country’s finest, most in-demand, influential, and flavorful beers. Indulge in hoppy IPAs, fruity Belgian-style ales, crisp northwest pales, and everything in between. You’re sure to find a brewery making a beer that’ll satisfy and intrigue your palate.

Throwing it back to 1988, Deschutes Brewery helped launch the craze as a small craft brewery. Nowadays, Crux Fermentation Project, Bridge 99, Sunriver Brewing Company, and Goodlife Brewing Company join the many other local craft breweries pouring heavenly pints, flights, and growlers.

And what goes great with beer? Savory, decadent, mouthwatering food! Most breweries and pubs in Bend not only serve up tasty pints but also hand-thrown pizzas, juicy burgers, and loaded pub nachos. Or, if you crave something on the lighter side, enjoy hearty salads and appetizers that will stoke out your taste buds.

Prepare for a kaleidoscope of flavors as we tour Bend’s breweries and pubs.

What makes our beer exceptional 

Beer in Bend is some of the best-tasting, cleanest, and most sought-after beer ever. And not just in the region or even the state, but the entire world. Distinct flavors, innovative brewers, countless awards, and exceptional ingredients make our beers so desirable. And it all starts with water. The low mineral content of our fresh, spring-fed water from the Cascade Mountains makes it ideal for brewing any style of beer. Additionally, our proximity to local hop farms ensures a plentiful supply of top-quality hops. These ingredients contribute to the exceptional character of our renowned brews.

Inspired by a bounty of stellar ingredients, brewers unleash a wealth of approachable, balanced, and distinctive beers. Bend is undoubtedly known for IPAs, from styles like West Coast, hazies, doubles, and for the bold, triples. However, you can easily find local pale ales, lagers, porters, sours, and even Belgian-style ales gracing tap lists. No matter how dark, bitter, crisp, or light you like it, you’ll find what satisfies your hop-hankering. 

Bend Breweries and Brewpubs

Asking us to pick our favorite brewery is like asking, who’s your most beloved pet? It’s nearly impossible. So, instead, we’ll spotlight some iconic front-runners as well as some rising stars to ignite your taste buds. And we also encourage you to discover your best brewery in Bend. 

Let’s start with the OG Bend brewery. Deschutes Brewery was founded in 1988 and is the oldest brewery in Bend. Known for its iconic brews like Black Butte Porter, Mirror Pond Pale Ale, and Red Chair NWPA, Deschutes also offers a variety of seasonal, classic, and limited releases. You can enjoy Deschutes beer at the Bend Public House downtown, as well as one of the best burgers in town. Or take a tour and sample some beers at the Bend Tasting Room and Beer Garden. 

In 2021, Deschutes acquired Boneyard Beer, a brewery known for its clean, balanced, high-quality beers like RPM IPA, Hop Venom, and Diablo Rojo. You can still sample Boneyard’s beers at its original tasting room or head to their brewpub, with over 20 taps and tasty pub-style food.

Occupying the former Boneyard brewing facility is Van Henion Brewing. Founded in 2021, they focus on crafting beers brewers love, like clean lagers and vibrant IPAs. With a collective brewing experience of over 65 years, these three founders bring a wealth of talent. From a former Boneyard master brewer to experienced staff from Deschutes Brewery, Van Henion is a hub of expertise and inventive brews. Stop by the tasting room to sample their clean, crisp beers on draft. 

Another former Deschutes employee founded The Ale Apothecary, an artisan brewery tucked into the woods above Bend. Focused on using hyper-local ingredients, including only airborne yeasts, Ale Apothecary beer is the closest thing you can get to Bend’s outdoors in a pint. These barrel-aged wild ales are brewed in small batches to create unique flavors and can be sampled and enjoyed at their tasting room on Century Drive.

Are you noticing a theme yet? The Bend brewing community has a lot of talent sharing taking place.

A couple of relative newcomers making a strong splash are Bevel Craft Brewing and Boss Rambler. Bevel is all about the hop-centric experience with a passion for IPAs. Nate and Valarie Doss, the dynamic duo behind Bevel, are world-renowned disc golfers. Drawing inspiration from their travels, they noted every successful and tasty brewery they visited and brought that same magic to Bend. Boss Rambler specializes in lagers, IPAs, and tantalizing sour fruit beers. In fact, you can even get a sour boozy slushy straight from the machine at their westside Beer Club. Boss Rambler also has an expert team of brewers with years of experience from former employees at Boneyard Beer and Crux Fermentation Project. 

Speaking of Crux Fermentation Project. These folks have been creating some favorite experimental and innovative beers in Bend. Crux boasts an impressive selection of handcrafted IPAs, as well as unique brews like a Japanese rice lager, barrel-aged imperial stouts, and fruited sours. They also make one of the best non-alcoholic beers around, the No Mo. Head to their family-friendly tasting room, located near the Old Mill District in an old AAMCO transmission shop, for 24+ taps, food carts, and live music with views of the Cascade Mountains. 

Taking it back to the early microbrew years, Bend Brewing Company proudly stands as the second oldest brewery in town. Their pub is located downtown, along the Deschutes River, where you can enjoy a mainstay favorite like Tropic Pines IPA or grab a flight and try them all. And pair your pint with flavorful, classic pub eats from their generous menu.

Coming in as the third oldest is Silver Moon Brewery. Since 2000 they’ve been creating highly anticipated limited releases, unique barrel-aged brews, and longtime favorites like IPA 97. Their brewpub is located downtown, where you can enjoy their beers and onsite food carts for tasty treats. 

Silver Moon is also dedicated to the fight against cancer as they’ve raised hundreds of thousands of dollars for research and support through their seasonal F*Cancer campaign and IPA. Now that’s something we can all cheers to!

For those seeking a brewery with a more focused selection of brews and styles, Bend has a few to offer. Porter Brewing brews the only cask-conditioned ales in Central Oregon, and you can find them at their pub, The Cellar, in downtown Bend. They specialize in hand-pumping unfiltered, unpasteurized ales in 20 oz imperial pints and 10 oz half pints. And make sure to pair a homemade savory pie with your beer—you won’t regret it! 

Monkless Belgian Ales specializes in strong ales by brewing Belgian-style delights. Savor a snifter of golden, witbier, or tripel ales. They also serve mouth-watering, hearty European eats at The Brasserie. 

Tours for the true beer enthusiast

One of the best ways to experience Bend’s beer culture is to take a brewery tour—Deschutes, Crux, Worthy, and many more offer daily tours, complete with complimentary tastings. 

If you’re looking for a more guided experience, Wanderlust Tours creates unique tours that combine outdoor adventures with craft beverages, while The Cycle Pub of Bend is a fun and unique way to experience Bend’s beer scene on two wheels. For an outdoor twist, combine your love for nature with beer on a Brews & Views Paddling Tour courtesy of Wanderlust Tours.

To discover and sample nearly all the breweries in Bend and Central Oregon, guide yourself on the Bend Ale Trail. You can use the free app or pick up a keepsake passport at the Bend Visitor Center and get it stamped at each brewery you visit. The whole trail is comprised of seven territories—complete a territory and win a prize. Complete the whole thing for a bonus prize, plus bragging rights. 

Family-friendly breweries

While most breweries in Bend welcome kids, there are a few that really embrace it. For family-friendly breweries, head to Crux, Deschutes, Bend Brewing, 10 Barrel Brewing Co., and Worthy Brewing Company. In fact, Worthy even has its own “Hopservatory” where the entire family can stargaze through a research-level telescope on clear nights. From kid-friendly menus to outdoor spaces and nearby parks, they make dining with little ones a breeze.

And if your kid has four legs and barks, most breweries with outdoor patios also roll out the welcome mat for dogs. Just be sure to check their dog-friendly policies ahead of time. 

Other brew pubs in Bend

Bend is undeniably a haven for beer enthusiasts, with a wide array of breweries. Our pubs offer the opportunity to sample a variety of beers from different local breweries, all while enjoying a flavorful meal.

At Brother Jon’s, enjoy a selection of Northwest beers and savor a delicious meal. This includes tasty sandwiches, homemade soups, and some irresistible house-smoked meats. The pub has three separate dining rooms and a secluded, dog-friendly deck during fair weather. Cabin 22 dishes out breakfast, lunch, and dinner, putting their unique spin on classic pub fare while serving plenty of local beers in their casual pub. Or head over to McMenamins Old St. Francis Pub for breakfast, lunch, and dinner in a cozy setting. Located in a former Catholic school building, this pub offers hearty fare, handcrafted ales brewed on-site, and weekly seasonal specials. You can also enjoy meals and drinks outdoors in the courtyard on warm days. 

Bend’s craft breweries and pubs cater to all tastes, whether you crave hops that bite or the smooth depths of a barrel-aged brew. From crispy and dank to dark and tripled, we’ve got it all. So whether you’re exploring new flavors or prefer a tried-and-true classic, our beer scene will keep your taste buds buzzing with excitement.