Central Oregon Beer Week returns, kicking off May 22

Central Oregon Beer Week 2015The fourth annual Central Oregon Beer Week is coming up, with 10 days of events highlighting once again just how great our local beer scene is. From May 22nd through the 31st, there will be something going on every day (usually multiple somethings) for a jam-packed schedule of brews. Here’s the list of some of the featured events, and there are many more here as well (plus I wouldn’t be surprised to see more being added):

Broken Top Bottle Shop has their “Beer Geek Week” running every night, featuring: “Ten days of live music and beer tastings at Broken Top Bottle Shop. Each night, breweries will offer tastings from 6pm – 8pm and bands will play from 7pm – 9 pm. All tastings and the live music will be free!” Check out their Facebook events feed to keep track of all the breweries and bands participating!

Bend Brewing Company has a “Brewer’s Choice Tap Takeover” running throughout the week as well, featuring a rotating tap list of some of the favorite beers selected by brewers Ian Larkin and Josh Harned. It’s a stellar lineup they’ll have on, including some super-limited specialties you are not going to want to miss.

On Friday, May 22, the kick-off SMaSH Fest takes places at McMenamins Old St. Francis School (at O’Kane’s), featuring beers brewed with only one malt and one hop each (Single Malt and Single Hop). Tickets are $25 which includes admission, commemorative pint glass, and 12 4-ounce tasters (additional can be purchased), available at the door or in advance here. It runs from 1 to 9pm. As a bonus, I’ll be selling and signing books too!

Also on the 22nd, Deschutes Brewery is celebrating the release of The Stoic, returning for the first time since 2011.

Saturday the 23rd is the Primal Cuts/Growler Phil’s Mini Brewfest, taking place from 3 to 8pm on Bend’s westside and featuring tastings from a number of breweries as well as some cider and wine. Cost: “$10 to get in, which includes food and tastings.” Also that day, Crow’s Feet Commons is hosting a release party for Fort George Brewery’s latest collaboration, 3-Way IPA, which will run from 5 to 8pm.

Sunday, May 24, Worthy Brewing is hosting a party with “a Randall infusion, a special firkin, and folked up, genre-bending tunes from the Los Angeles band, The Crockett Sisters” from 5 to 9pm.

Starting on Monday, May 25, GoodLife Brewing will be “extending their typical Wednesday $3 GoodLife Pints for a whole week [through the 31st]”—this is a great deal that shouldn’t be overlooked! Make sure to take advantage of this deal at least once throughout the week.

Tuesday, May 26, through Thursday the 28th, RiverBend Brewing will be hosting live music and special tastings from 6:30 to 9:30pm each evening during those three days.

On Wednesday the 27th, Redmond’s Wild Ride Brewing is having their first Beer Pairing Dinner, a six-course meal featuring three appetizer stations, and salad, entree, and dessert courses—all paired with Wild Ride brews. It costs $55 per person and starts at 6:30pm—you’ll need reservations, of course.

And on Thursday the 28th, Sisters’ Three Creeks Brewing is holding their own Brewers Dinner, featuring “a four course meal that has been carefully paired with our finest ales by our head brewer and chef as they walk you through each course.” $50 per person, reservations required, it starts at 7pm.

Three Creeks follows that up on Friday the 29th with the grand opening of their new 30-barrel production facility in Sisters: “Stop by for some tastings, brewery tours, lite appetizers, music and more. 265 E Barclay Dr., Sister, Or 97759” Time is from 5 to 8pm.

Also that Friday, the High Desert Museum is holding their final beer event in conjunction with their “Brewing Culture” exhibit, their “Open ‘Til Dark” from 5 to 9pm: “Dance to local band Truck Stop Gravy and taste the different beers from a variety of breweries after hours at the Museum. $8 per adult, $5 per child or student with I.D. Beer tasting package $10, includes souvenir glass and five tasting tickets. Additional tastings $1 per ticket.”

Saturday and Sunday finishes the week with Broken Top Bottle Shop’s final two days of their “Beer Geek Week” (still strong showings!), while RiverBend Brewing will be releasing their “Oregonized Love IPA” and the Bend Brew Daddy is teaming up with Silver Moon Brewing for a can and bottle drive that will benefit the Bethlehem Inn—a great way to end the week!

(Plus all week there are specials and deals that I haven’t even touched on with Cascade Lakes Brewing, Juniper Brewing, Silver Moon, the Platypus Pub, and more.)

It’s going to be an intense week of beer for Central Oregon, keep abreast of all the events here.

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