Trekking the Bend Ale Trail is tasty fun for 11 months of the year. Then it all changes. 

That’s when November brings Bend Ale Trail Month in a blissful beer-splosion of belly-warming goodness. It’s a month brimming with bright hops and spicy pumpkin ales, plus chocolaty porters and lip-smacking cream ales. Throw in a passel of prizes and sudsy celebrations galore, and you’ll grasp why Bend Ale Trail Month is the best time to visit Bend for beer lovers.

Here’s what’s happening in November 2024 for everyone’s favorite Bend beer month.

How does it work?

Giddy to get started on Bend Ale Trail Month? Here’s a quick refresher on how to do the Bend Ale Trail.

Starting out here, nab the free app and open it in the web browser of your choice from your smart phone or tablet.

Next, plan your path between territories. Not familiar with those? Back in 2021—overwhelmed by the sheer volume of fab Central Oregon beer stops—we expanded the trail to include breweries in Redmond, Prineville, Sisters, Sunriver, and of course, Bend. To make it more fun, we split it up into territories, which each have their own prize and recommended activities called Perfect Pairings. 

Not only that, but the Bend Ale Trail includes non-beer options like distilleries, cideries, and wine tasting rooms called Drinkable Diversions. 

Complete one territory and get a prize taster glass specific to that territory. Complete the whole thing and get a nifty holder for all those glasses. That’s how it works in a normal month, and mostly for Bend Ale Trail Month, too. But then it gets even more fun…

Bring on the BAT Month Prizes!

Each year, Bend Ale Trail fans sit poised on the edge of their barstools waiting for word on the prize for Bend Ale Trail Month. Can I get a drumroll, please?

The 2024 prize is a custom koozie from Puffin featuring the world’s most adorable miniature hoodie with the Bend Ale Trail logo. It’s cute as heck, and also functional—this thing will keep your brewski chilled while your hand stays toasty warm. #Winning!

If koozies aren’t your jam, we’ve got a limited number of leftover prizes from 2023 in the form of a high-end German glassware boot for your beverage. If you earned one last year, here’s your shot at scoring a matched pair. 

How do you earn your prize? Just complete any Bend Ale Trail territory in November. That’s it—one freakin’ territory, which you could do in an afternoon. While we hope you’ll pause at each stop for a pint, no purchase is required to claim a passport stamp or check-in. 

Once you’ve completed your mission, bring your stamped passport or app to the Bend Visitor Center to claim your prize. There’s a limit of one prize per person, and supplies are limited. For first pick of goodies, try starting early in the month.

And how ‘bout some more prizes?

Because we love you, we’ve got plenty more prizes to share!

Our incredible breweries contributed gobs of great swag, from hats to shirts to stickers to HydroFlasks to gift cards to Silipints and more. Want some of that goodness for yourself?

These goodies are available FREE on a first come, first served basis at the Bend Visitor Center starting November 1. Want first pick? Show up early in the month and ask our friendly Visitor Center staff for a peek at the stash. Please limit your haul to one item per person so others have a shot at the treats.

What if I’m not a beer fan?

Beer fandom’s not required to tackle the Bend Ale Trail. Thanks to Drinkable Diversions, you can sample cider, wine, distilled spirits, and more. Consider it a beer break or a chance to get a broader picture of Bend’s craft beverage scene.

Maybe you don’t drink at all, either for personal reasons or you’re extending Sober October. No problem! There’s never a purchase required to get your Bend Ale Trail passport stamp or electronic app check in. While we still hope you’ll patronize our local breweries, you can do it by buying a basket of tots or a burger. 

It’s also worth noting that many of our favorite Bend Ale Trail breweries now offer non-alcoholic brews for your buzz-free sipping pleasure. My personal faves come from Crux Fermentation Project, Worthy Brewing, Bridge 99 Brewing, Sunriver Brewing, 10 Barrel, and Deschutes Brewing. Scope them out and choose your own favorite.

Want to take teetotaling to the next level? To participate in our Designated Driver program, the DD commits to not drink ANY alcohol for the entire day, and is responsible for transporting his/her/their group safely along the Bend Ale Trail. Once you collect Designated Driver stamps from five breweries on the last page of your Bend Ale Trail passport, bring it to the Bend Visitor Center for your unique DD prize.

Time for a break?

Bend Ale Trail trekkers can’t live on beer alone. When you’re exploring the territories, take time to check out some of our Perfect Pairings. 

Pair a Tin Pan Alley art walk with your trek around the Old Block territory, or hoof it up Pilot Butte between stops in the Badlands Territory. There’s so much to see beyond the brewery doors, so leave time for a few Perfect Pairings along the way.

What else should I know?

I’ve been trekking the Bend Ale Trail since 2010 when there were just six breweries, so I’ve learned a few things along the way.

Here are my tips to make your BAT Month beerventure the best it can be:

• Don’t start with an empty stomach. Have a snack or meal before you set out, then order food at a few stops along the way to keep your belly happy.
• Have a plan for getting around. If you don’t have a DD like I mentioned earlier, map out a walking route between stops or summon Uber or Lyft. We’ve also got taxis and plenty of tour companies to get you where you need to be in one piece. Whatever you do, DON’T DRINK AND DRIVE!
• Tackle one territory at a time. Some are small with just a few breweries, so you can build your adventure based on timing and the area you’d like to explore.
• Try something new. Taster trays shared among friends are a great way to sample lots of kinds of beer at the different stops.
• Don’t do it all in a weekend. This is especially crucial with the territories spread over so much geographic space. Take your time exploring, and make a plan before you set out so you don’t miss anything.
• Hydrate! Tote your own reusable water bottle or ask your server to set you up with a big glass of water. 
• Pace yourself. If you’re not up for sharing a taster tray, order small schooners instead of full pints of beer. 

Have fun! Remember it’s a journey and not a competition. If you don’t hit every brewery on your list, there’s always next time.