I have been wanting to try out the The Ale Apothecary for I don't know how long. It's safe to say…read moreit's been a long time. So on our last trip to Bend we finally made it here to the their taproom and it didn't disappoint at all. It was a great stop! We got a taster set of a variety of different beers that they had on tap and they were all quite good. Many of them have a wild ale aspect to them which I can appreciate at you don't come across this beer too much on a routine basis. The taproom is cool and I love all of their art specifically where fermentation liquids spilled onto a sheet or a cloth making various designs and hues during the brewing making process of their beers. Other excellent beers that we have had from this brewery are the Samalie which is a Wild Ale. This one I rated very highly on Untappd because it was so amazing! Things to look for in the flavor profile are sourness, tartness, fruitiness, a natural sweetness and a dry finish. Really an excellent beer! Moving on from that we had the great Ping Pong Table Beer. This was another beer I rated quite highly and enjoyed immensely. This beer is light bodies, smooth and effervescent with the flavor of elderflower at work. Another excellent beer! Definitely great beer experiences with this brewery and definitely recommend it to the more adventurous beer drinking folks. There are plenty of breweries to try out in Bend and if you are looking for something on the more unusual side The Ale Apothecary is a great place for such a thing!

If you're a beer fan, specifically into funky experimentation, this is your place in Bend! We've…read moregotten a few of their bottles at our local beer store over the years, and while these aren't my go-to styles, it was a fun experience trying the brewery in person. Ale Apothecary is a wild fermentation brewery and blendery located in a commercial plaza in Bend. They don't have food, but there's plenty of other great options nearby including Bo's Falafel and Good Life Brewing around the corner. If you're on the Bend Ale Trail, this is a must-visit stop as well. We visited on a weekday afternoon after opening, so it wasn't busy at all. The friendly beer server was welcoming and shared about the brewery, explaining about the bottle selections, how they make everything, and what was available on tap or in bottles to try that day. The décor is super eclectic with fun things to look at and enjoy while sipping. They also have picnic tables and outdoor seating if you'd prefer. Bottles are also available to go. For its uniqueness, prices are super reasonable for complex beers. This isn't a brewery for everyone however, even their customer demanded line of "regular beers" each has a signature of funk from their house yeast strains. As a beer lover that enjoys everything, it was fun to taste each thing; friends enjoyed this place very much as well. If you're an adventurous beer fan, this is worth your time!

Really fun brewery ! Friendly bartender and great service . Several food truck options outside . I…read moreopted for the southern cooking truck and had a delicious fried chicken sandwich with coleslaw and pickled cucumbers and onions! Delicious beer and food.

Our last brewery stop in Bend this year was one that came up as a must-visit over and over. We…read moreweren't disappointed at all, and I highly recommend coming to this one if you're in the area. It's one of the farther stops on the Bend Ale Trail too but could be a destination for an afternoon. Bevel is all disc golf themed, which we appreciated. Their flights come on discs; their merchandise focuses on the game, and they even have a putting course outside where you can enjoy their beer while you play. This is primarily an outdoor venue, with many picnic tables surrounded by various food trucks making it fun a location for groups as everyone can get their own things. We visited right at opening on a wet and snowy afternoon, so we opted for sitting inside. They have a few tables, the main bar, and restrooms in the front room, plus other rooms with tables behind the bar which can also be rented for events. Their beer was excellent, as their awards show. The bartender was the only one working, but did a great job with service as well as sharing about their beer. If you love disc golf or beer, this is definitely worth the stop!

This is a very interesting brewery...in a good way!!…read more Great low-key vibe and experimental beers & ciders. If you're feeling adventurous, I would definitely try this place. Staff is friendly and knowledgeable about the beers they currently have tapped.

On a recent visit to Bend, the Ale Trail brought us to Funky Fauna. This had opened the first year…read moreI visited but didn't make it until my most recent trip. They've been making a name for themselves in the region with quality wild fermented beers. These may not be the types enjoyed by all, but some lean more into traditional flavors than truly wild and funky sours. This place is beautiful. They have an artistry in the decor, labels, and artwork that feels like wild nature. It's so cozy inside with bar on entry, plus tables, and cozy living room type seating area in the middle. Their barrels and brewery are to the back. They also have outdoor seating and food trucks. You order from the bar. There was a special event going on during our visit and the single bartender seemed overwhelmed but still tried to keep the line moving. Everyone seemed happy regardless. They don't do flights per se but you can do short pours if you're unsure what you'd like to try. I loved the fireplace too. They have lots of fan selections and great merchandise featuring their unique style, all next to the front door. Restrooms are to the left. If you're a fan of beer, and atypical styles especially, this is a must visit in Bend.

Service and selection don't rise to the occasion of the name chosen by this place. Probably need a…read moregreater depth of character and some smiling employees to carry off a name like Old ironwood Taps, especially when you operate out of a truck. Cheeky, hip location behind a hostel. Some good food trucks, just need better beer. I think I'd like to start a one-man campaign against RPM, which is served everywhere in town and is at best a middling beer for tourists, and other people that don't really know what great beer is. If boneyard discounts it so heavily that everybody is willing to carry it, you could at least dumb it down to Rainier costs for the consumer, instead of taking up a tap position at every brewhouse in town while charging full price. It used to be better. Not sure what happened.

Great beers, super helpful and friendly staff who are COVID compliant!…read more Not to mention that the setting is at the historic Lucas house here in Bend. You get food trucks and history...all adore of awesomeness :)

"Move to Bend," they said. "It will be fun," they said…read more "Even though the town is isolated, the airport is excellent, the weather is good, and the beer is excellent." Yeah, about that. The airport shuts in the winter, the AQI is 200 all summer, and the beer is actually mid. "But, but, but, there are 30 breweries! This is amazing!" Thirty breweries of meh. You get better beer in Portland without even trying. Even our local Daddy is underwhelming, although I wouldn't say no to a Freshie. This brings us to Terranaut. I first had one of their beers at Ponch's (RIP), before the Terranaut taproom was even open. It was an uncommonly good West Coast IPA: bitter, hoppy, and citrusy. Good enough for me to frequent the taproom ever since. The beer is great, the range is varied, and the vintage hi-fi vibes are genuinely cool. Terranaut isn't just "Bend good." It's world-class--easily the best brewery in Bend.

This brewery is making waves, not just in Bend, but across the country. I had the pleasure of…read moremeeting the brewer/owner at a competition beforehand and it was great to hear about his history and the brewery itself. It's a small spot in an easy-to-find industrial area. Cozy lighting and colorful artwork makes the high ceiling warehouse vibe comfortable and welcoming. I also love the National Park inspired logo. On arrival the bartender remembered me from another event the year prior, which made the visit instantly welcoming and pleasant. The beer styles and descriptions were no-nonsense and everything we tried was excellent. It was a popular spot even on a snowy weekday. If you're doing the Bend Ale Trail, this is a newer stop added, there are others nearby too. I look forward to seeing this one grow, and already looking forward to visiting again soon.

Returning to try Cascade Lakes Brewing! I have tried their beer years ago but when you go the…read moreBend/Redmond area there are so many brewery options that it's not always easy to go to the same brewery with every visit. This time around Steve and I had the Red Thump. A very good red or amber that we really enjoyed. Nice and malty while drinking this beer is great to relax with after a long day, drive or whatever. It has enough substance that you are getting not a super light beer and it has complexity to it without getting anything too intense. Good beer to get for sure and you can get in six packs if your desire is to take it home!

Great selection of beer. Food was amazing. Very large portions. Probably should have shared a meal…read more Service was good. They were very busy.

This name listing is a bit off as this is a Spider City Brewing taproom, that the owners have made…read moredouble as a wine cellar and tasting room. They cater to supporters of the next door art cinema and offer specials with ticket stubs, so this would be a great spot to come after a film. It was a little confusing at first; doing the Bend Ale Trail I was expecting more of a beer centric taproom but ended up having a great experience here anyone thanks to the bartender and her partner who was sitting at the bar. You can enter here through the main door along the street, or through the alley entrance which is also worth a visit with outdoor cafes and restaurants and closed to traffic. I visited on a weekday afternoon so it otherwise wasn't very lively but had a great discussion about Bend, beer, and the other fun businesses in the area with the couple; thanks to them for the fun conversation and other recommendations. Also, thanks for the sticker swap. Spider City Brewing's main brewery is outside of Downtown and is on my list to visit next time. All beer on tap here is from them with maybe eight different taps. They do smaller pours or full pours; no real flights so I chose all three different small pours of beer styles I love. One was not my favorite due to the hop combination, but the other two were both excellent. Prices were reasonable as well. I was also told they live comedy nights and music in the space, and many customers enjoy picking a bottle of wine and sharing with the table. If any of those things appeal to you, this would be a fun place to visit in an evening.

I'm not a wine drinker but I stop in here on occasion because they pour Spider City beer…read more Which makes me a fan.

Sadly Humm is not open to the public. Went on a wild good chase to try and find this place. It's…read moreone of my favorite and first kombuchas I've had. I ended up in their shipping and receiving warehouse and was almost put to work. I should have clocked in and allowed them to pay me in booch! Atom you would have laughed at this mission.

Note: The business is temporarily closed as it is being relocated to 1024 NW Bond Street in…read moredowntown Bend. Humm is one of the most well-known kombucha brands and they have a kombucha bar in Bend. The location that I visited is no longer open as the company is in the process of relocating to downtown Bend. However, I am writing this review to provide a sense of the offerings. I really liked this kombucha bar as it has the most kombucha flavors that I have ever seen on tap. If you are new to kombucha, I would recommend ordering the flight, which allows you to choose 6 flavors from a list of over 20. They had varieties of kombucha flavors that I do not see in grocery stores that I wanted to try. I do think the move to downtown Bend will make this kombucha bar more accessible and convenient as the previous location that I visited was in a nondescript location.