If you really love beer, then you won’t want to miss the annual Bend Brewfest, a three-day celebration of the best craft brews central Oregon has to offer. And this place is famous for beer, so that’s really saying something! The brewfest takes place every August at the Les Schwab Amphitheater in Bend, right on the riverfront. Believe it or not, it’s family-friendly, so come on down and raise your glass!
Pay-as-you-Drink
Here’s how it works: the Brewfest is free to enter, and you buy a souvenir mug for a one-time fee of $20. This gets you five tokens to start. Each 4-ounce pour is one token, and full beers are four tokens each. X-Tap beers are two tokens for a 4-ounce pour. These specialty brews are experimental, rare, or seasonal, and are offered at the Brewtality Tents, along with the opportunity to talk with the brewers themselves.
So if you like something experimental and new, go ahead and ask questions to the people who made it! The Brewfest website offers a complete schedule of who’s pouring what when (though it’s subject to change), as well as a list of all the many types of beer on offer throughout the festival. So you can actually plan in advance which types you’d like to try! And of course, vote for your favorites in the People’s Choice Awards.
Go Ahead, Bring the Kids
It’s true: This is a family-friendly event. However, guests younger than 21 will need to leave by 5 pm so that the adults can have their party. There’s plenty of great food vendors for the whole family to enjoy, including (but not limited to) favorites like kettle corn, hot dogs, pizza, and noodles.
Extend Your Experience
If three days of the Brewfest isn’t quite enough, consider making a serious beer vacation of it, and staying a little longer in Bend to visit some of your favorite breweries. Walk, bike, or drive (responsibly, of course!) the Bend Ale Trail, which includes 14 of our great local breweries. They’ll all be at the Bend Brewfest, of course, but they’d love you to visit them at home! Maps for the Bend Ale Trail are available at the Visit Bend offices, or else download the free Bend Ale Trail App to guide you along.
Bend Vacation Rentals
After all that adventure and beer tasting, you’re going to want a nice comfortable place to rest your head. Make sure to check out our great rentals and find one that’s just right for you and your family.
Start planning your beer adventure today!
Visit:
Bend Brewfest
May 12, 2023
Historic Old Mill District
