One of Bend’s claims to fame is that it has one of the highest breweries per capita of any city in the country. If you’re interested in visiting or planning a move here, that may not be news to you – the tricky part is deciding just what beer destination to try first.
Trust us, you can live here for years and still be surprised at the new breweries you haven’t discovered yet. That’s becoming true of local wineries and wine bars too, so don’t feel left out if hops aren’t for you! But when you are visiting for the first time or digging deeper into the food and drink scene in Bend, it can be tricky to know where to start. Fortunately, we’ve got the perfect first-time-oriented list of the best breweries and wineries for you to start with.
Top Bend Breweries
With famous craft beers recognized around the world, it’s no surprise that Deschutes Brewery is high on the list for first-time Bend visitors. Fortunately, the Deschutes Public House has a beautiful downtown location within easy walking distance from all kinds of attractions, and a great food menu to boot. From year-round favorites to seasonal options like Red Chair NWPA or Jubelale Winter Ale, you won’t run out of things to try! If you’re a big fan, schedule brewery tours of the brewery itself above Old Mill, too.
While we’re talking about downtown Oregon breweries, make sure that Bend Brewing Company is on your list, too. It’s close to Drake Park and other fun walking destinations and has a full menu including tasty nachos! When you hear a local talking about “BBC,” there’s a good chance they’re referring to craft beer like the Tropic Pines IPA or Metolius Golden Ale. If you’re in Northwest Crossing, check out their output at The Grove, too!
Trading in a traditional pub setting for a casual/classy beer café on Galveston, this brewery was named one of the top 10 best new breweries in 2020 by Hop Culture. Their specialty is excellent West Coast IPAs with fruit-forward notes (plus slushies in the summer). Watch out for delicious food truck pop-ups here, as well.
The Worthy Brewing Eastside location is a Central Oregon experience, full stop. From gorgeous views of Pilot Butte sunsets to a retractable roof and night sky observatory open to the public (all true, we promise), this is one of our favorite recommendations for visitors. Location aside, their beers are flavor-packed options like their Strata IPA or Lights Out Stout, all focused on sustainable hops and brewing practices, along with locally-sourced – and delicious – menu items. There’s plenty of inside and outdoor seating, too.
Tucked back beside SW Century Drive, Goodlife’s friendly brewery is one of the favorite stops for locals, but we’ll share the secret with you, too. Goodlife specializes in drinkable beers that you’ll keep coming back for, like the ultra-smooth, award-winning Sweet As (available nearly anywhere in Bend) or the Descender IPA. Stop for a flight or stay for food!
Ale Apothecary is famous for its cabin-like brewery in the woods next to Tumalo Creek, where they craft brews made entirely out of natural airborne yeasts and water in the area, along with Oregon-sourced honey and fruit. The result are long-term barrel-aged beers that hardcore brew fans stumble over themselves to try. Fortunately, you don’t have to get on the backroads to find this barrel brewing collection: There’s a SW Century Drive tasting room where you can grab a flight whenever you want.
Crux quickly won a reputation in Bend for its powerful IPS and continual experimentation, along with some of the best non-alcoholic beers in town. It’s family-friendly tasting room and lawn with fire pits have become a popular weekend stop for dog and kid parents alike, and it’s a very common suggestion for out-of-towners learning about favorite breweries. Plus, there’s both in-house kitchen options and a variety of tasty food trucks to try with plenty outdoor seating.
Immersion’s constantly rotating tap list of craft brews from IPAs and stouts to pils and brown ales makes it an excellent stop to try a little bit of everything – and the beautiful brass brewing tanks in the background make it all the better. Their handy Box Factory location next to Old Mill District is also a perfect stop for visitors, and the delicious pub menu, including tasty salads, shrimp and grits, and more, is a step above the average pub fare.
Bevel’s taproom may be tucked away beside a 9th-street food court, but this newcomer has quickly won a reputation as one of the best stops in Bend for well-balanced, inventive beers like the Par Save Pale or First Run IPA. The theme is frisbees, and that’s no accident: Bevel was begun by disc golf world champions and even has a putting course to play on in the back when the weather is warm! Don’t sleep on the delicious collection of food trucks, either.
Top Bend Wineries
This organic vineyard is one of the most popular in Central Oregon, and a must-stop for serious oenophiles. Not only can you visit the winery and vineyard on your trip, but it’s also close to the beautiful Smith Rock, so you can plan additional hiking or camping activities accordingly. Their focus is on old world hand crafted barrel aged wine utilizing their unique microclimate. Stop by or call ahead to find out more about the latest vintages.
Winner of multiple international wine competition awards, Lava Terrace prides itself on quality and homegrown grapes grown right here in Bend. Their La Crescent and Marquette wines are particularly popular choices around town. While Lava Terrace sometimes holds events at its vineyards, they do not have a full-time open winery, but you can find their vintages at many wine bars around Bend, which is a great way to save time if you’d like to sample multiple local vineyards in one sitting!
Faith, Hope, and Charity Vineyards
Named after the towering Three Sisters in the Cascade Mountains above Bend, this award-winning local vineyard is an incredibly fun stop that hosts public events and concerts (especially in the summer) along with plentiful wine-tasting options. Their Bend tasting room is open in the afternoons and evenings most days, where you can taste creations from their own 15-acre vineyard as well as other Northwest wines. A simple food menu lets you combine a meal with your tasting if you start getting hungry.
Va Piano Vineyards Tasting Room
There are only two tasting rooms for this popular Walla Walla Valley vineyard: One in Walla Walla, WA itself, and the other right here in Bend, Oregon. If you want to try one of their popular Cabernet Sauvignons or Syras, make sure you make a reservation ahead of time!
Evoke Winery is based in the beautiful Hood River, Oregon, but they have tasting rooms around the state where you can try their fun, casual wines and grab a snack while making your next plans. Bend’s tasting room is especially easy to recommend – it’s at the heart of the Old Mill, the perfect conclusion after an afternoon of shopping, floating the river, or walking nearby in-city trails. It’s one of the best options if you don’t want to worry about reservations or driving too far outside the city to visit a vineyard.
Tips on Trying Bend Brews and Wine for the First Time
- As we’ve mentioned, there are a lot of breweries in Bend. For a more comprehensive look at them, you may want to try the Bend Ale Trail, a focused guide to local breweries. Collect enough digital stamps, and you could win a prize, too!
- We focused on wineries for this list because we know serious wine fans will want to prioritize local vintages. However, Bend also has a lot of wine bars where you can stop for more casual tastings and a wider variety of vintages, plus some snacks or other beverage options. Flights Wine Bar, Stoller, Elixir Wine Group, and Portello are just a few popular options.
- Are you a big fan of Belgian Ales? It’s a niche field, but we have the excellent Monkless Belgian Ales Taproom overlooking the Deschutes river and mountains right in Old Mill. It’s a great stop for powerful Belgian brews and Bavarian-inspired food.
- We mentioned getting a “flight” several times in our list of recommendations. If that’s not familiar, it’s just a term for ordering several different samples of beer at the same time, served together in small glasses. It’s an easy way to try a variety of brews that a brewery offers, especially if you won’t be in town long enough for repeat visits.
- Most breweries in Bend also offer their own merch, glasses, and growlers. If you find a brewery you really, really like, think about showing some extra support and purchasing some of their swag, too.
How Bend Relocation Services Can Help With Your Move
Thinking about making your stay in Bend permanent? That would certainly help when trying all the latest breweries in town! Stick with Bend Relocation Services for your moving plans: We can help you take care of the details like finding a rental, choosing a neighborhood, hiring a moving company, and more. Shoot us a message or sign up for our updates to learn how it works and where to start.
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