Bend Oregon Brew Pubs

Bend Oregon Brew Pubs - Some of my favorite restaurants in Bend are the Brew Pubs. What's better than some local beers with your burger or hot wings while watching the game?

Below are the Bend Oregon Brew Pubs that I've reviewed:

Bend Brewing Company
1019 NW Brooks St.
Bend, OR, 97701
(541)383-1599


Deschutes Beer Pub
1044 NW Bond Street, between Franklin and Greenwood
Bend, OR 97701
541-382-9242

Cascade Lakes Lodge
1441 SW Chandler Avenue
Bend, OR 97702
(541) 388-4998

McMenamins - Old St. Francis School
700 NW Bond Street
Bend, OR 97701
541-382-5174

Bend Oregon Brew Pubs that I have NOT reviewed:

Silver Moon Brewing
24 NW Greenwood Ave.
Bend, OR 97701
541-388-8331

If I've missed a restaurant in this category. Please submit a restaurant via email.

NEW Deschutes Brew Pub Menu

Deschutes Brewery's New Menu

I know you're as excited as I am that the Deschutes Brew Pub unveiled their new menu today. Aside from the new flashier look there are some new menu items. Personally I could go without the "hand drawn" arrows and "hand written" notes of "Options and Extras" as it reminds me too much of the Red Robins (oh lordy) menu but I am excited to try some of the new dishes.

New items on the menu include Crab fritters, Mexican Tuna Tartare, and Cascade Ale & Toasted Chile Cheese dip on the appetizer menu; Oregon Bay Shrimp Salad, and Brewery Falafel Salad for the salad section.

For burgers they brought back the Cajun Burger and added an Elk Burger.

Brewery Specialties have added four Spent Grain Pizzas; Roasted Oregon Chicken Breast, Sweet Plum Tomatoes, Oregon Bay Shrimp, and a House-made Italian Sausage.

New to the Specialty Sandwiches are the Roast Beef wif Creamy Blue Cheese & Horseradish, Grilled Curry Chicken Sandwich, and the Roasted Jalapeno Chicken Sandwich. I know a friend of mine used to love getting the jerk chicken but i don’t see that on the menu anymore...not sure if it's been gone or if this is a new thing.

On the dessert menu, I don't know if it's new or not but I don't remember ever seeing a Black Butte Porter Chocolate Cheesecake with a chocolate cookie crust.

My french dip is still there so I'm happy. I want to try that Elk Burger, Roast Beef sammy, Sausage pizza...ah hell, I'm going to end up trying it all.

I'll have to swing by tomorrow night to say goodbye to Marcus. Heard it's your last day...could have told me, bro. Got's to slap that rock one last time!

Deschutes Beer Pub
1044 NW Bond Street, between Franklin and Greenwood
Bend, OR 97701
541-382-9242

Deschutes Beer Pub, Bend Oregon

Deschutes Brew Pub

Still in my quest to find the Best Hot Wings in Bend Oregon, I had a chance to snap a photo with my cell phone while eating at the Deschutes brew pub in Downtown Bend.

It was just a half order of wings as an appetizer. I like the flavor and the size of the mini drumsticks or drums. I still would prefer the other part which I'll now call Flats thanks to Wiki. I like the flats much better as the meat is tender and comes clean off the bone vs the drum which has that mess at the thick end when you're done. What is that, tendon? MMM that's some good cartilage.

The wings at Deschutes are good...they are what wings should be. I'm happy with them and will get them when I'm in the mood for wings and happen to be at Deschutes for some eats.

Deschutes Beer Pub
1044 NW Bond Street, between Franklin and Greenwood
Bend, OR 97701
541-382-9242
http://www.deschutesbrewery.com/BrewPub/default.aspx

Bend Brewing Company or BBC - HotWing Chicken Ceasar Salad

Bend Brewing Company

I've been on this hotwing craze lately and wanted to go back to BBC to have theirs again. I got there, got a pint, and then found the Hot Wing Chicken Caesar Salad on the specials menu. Hmmm, chicken wings, or a chicken breast covered in wing sauce over a Caesar salad with bleu cheese crumbles (you can visualize me with my hands out to my sides, palms in the air doing the whole scale thing). This tough decision had me in a bit of a pickle.

Wait ... "bit of a pickle?" Where did that saying come from...does it even make sense...am I even using it correctly? Is being in a pickle is like being in a jam? MMM jam and pickles. Of course jam probably is more like door jam, like a tight spot, a tough situation instead of the delicious spread for my morning toast or lunch time PB&J. None of this matters. I don't like pickles with jam. Gross.

I did watch on Food Network a while back an episode of Ham on the Street where George Duran took random jams and put them with random cheeses to make grilled cheese. His theory was that you can't go wrong with any combination.

The wife and I actually tested this theory with whatever jams and cheeses we had in the fridge and he was quite right. It was difficult to find a bad combination. And it was a good way to use those jams that you always have sitting around that you were given during the holidays or that came with the Hickory Farms gift set that you meant to mail to your grandma last Christmas but forgot because you are the worst grandchild of all time. When I was a kid I used to eat Jam sandwiches, you got two slices of bread, jam them together, done. Great childhood memories.

So if you're lucky enough to have the HotWing Chicken Caesar appear on the daily specials on your next visit to the BBC, I'd recommend it. The HotWing Sauce at the BBC is delicious. It's spicy but not too spicy and the flavor is spot on! Perfection. Of course if you don't get the special, I'd still recommend the wings. They are great!!

Bend Brewing Company
1019 NW Brooks St.
Bend, OR, 97701
(541)383-1599

http://www.bendbrewingco.com/

Deschutes Brewery Mountain Room - Spring Beer Dinner

Deschutes Brewery Mountain Room

Delectable Six Course Beer Pairing Dinner
Featuring Sous Chefs Tiffany Baker & Charlie Bartosekand
Brewer Pat Shea

The wife and I made it to the Deschutes Beer Dinner on Saturday, March 10, 2007. If you enjoy beer and delicious food, this dinner is well worth the $55 a head. I felt like I was part of high society being served a six course meal but then since ever course was paired with beer instead of wine, I felt fine in my jeans. I love "Bend casual".

Pairing food with beer is such a great idea and just as difficult as pairing wine to different dishes (so we were told). I'm not a huge fan of wine and I don't drink enough to know what goes well with which. But I do drink beer and it was amazing to taste the similarities among the ingredients used in the food and it's paired up beer.

When we arrived we got a glass of the UR Alt Bier which was pared up with the Passed Appetizers as well as with the Plated Appetizer.

Passed Appetizers
Spring Leeks and Prawns with Lemongrass and Ginger Aioli Bruschetta with Arugula Pesto, Prosciutto, and Truffle Honey

I was able to snag a couple prawns and one Bruschetta before we sat down. Both were great and I wish I was more aggressive in trying to get more of each. The funny thing about Prosciutto is that it's difficult to bite through especially when perched atop crunchy Bruschetta. It can be a bit awkward having to eat the entire thing in one bite or look silly all hunched over with a beer in one hand, the little cocktail napkin in the other trying to figure out what to do with half a slice of Prosciutto sticking out of your mouth. Unless you're me and just chow the entire appetizer in one bite.

Plated Appetizer
Asparagus Cilantro Gazpacho Paired with Alt Bier

UGH...definitely not my cup of tea. I'm glad that we didn't get a photo of this one. Green, cold, asparagus soup. Nothing right about this. I took a few bites and by some miracle, it actually tasted better with every sip of UR Alt that quickly followed.

I didn't finish my Gazpacho. Other people seemed to like it.

Salad
Baby Bitter Greens with Dungeness Crab, Avocado, and Cucumber Vinaigrette Paired with East Lake Extra Pale Ale

How much can you say about a salad like this, it's pretty simple. This course was really light and refreshing. I could barely taste the Cucumber Vinaigrette but I love crab. Crab = good. For a little salad, this was nice and just like the rest of the dishes, it went well with the beer. Extra Pale is not a favorite of mine, but they serve in half pints so it was over fast.

Entrée #1
Grilled Ahi Tuna with Ramps (Spring Onions), Anasazi Beans, and Charred Tomato Vinaigrette Paired with Far Rock Strong Ale

I apologize for the photo, I couldn't help but to dive right into this dish. I LOVE Ahi Tuna. They prepared it just right, it practically melted in my mouth. Soooo gooood!

Entrée #2
Porcini and Herb Crusted Rack of Lamb with Celery Root Puree, served alongside Roasted Baby Carrots and Fennel Paired with Buzzsaw Brown

Now we're cookin with Crisco! My lamb was just a touch over cooked cause I like it pretty rare. The wife's was just like I wanted so we traded a shank. The Celery Root Puree was a bit different than I'm used to. I was sort of hoping it would magically turn into some garlic mashed potatoes but then it might not have paired with the Buzzsaw as well.

By this time I was feeling pretty...pretty...pretty good. The portions were just right. After all these courses I felt just right, not stuffed but not hungry by any means.

A Trio of Bite-Sized Desserts
Bourbon Pecan Tart, Vanilla Stout Ice Cream Profiterole, Triple Chocolate Cake Paired with Imperial Stout

The wife's favorite part of the meal by far! Normally I would simply just slide my plate over to her so she can take whatever she likes. But this time I destroyed the cake and ice cream along with the 11% Stout....whooooo doggy.

Fantastic meal, beers, and experience all around. I loved it and would recommend the dinner to anyone.

Next up is the Barrel Tasting (I think you get to taste what's INSIDE the barrels). I hope there is more food at the Barrel Tasting then there was last year. I might go, might not. Dinner - yes, barrel tasting where you don't get to sit down and enjoy some food - maybe.

Deschutes Brewery Mountain Room

http://www.deschutesbrewery.com/Banquets/Upcoming+Events/default.aspx

Deschutes Brew Pub - French Dip

Deschutes Brew Pub

Next time you're at the Deschutes brew pub, indulge in one of the least expensive lunch items on the menu, the French Dip. Trust me. Add some cheese like Mozzarella and get your choice of fries, chips, or a salad. I added cheese and had a beer (don't tell the boss) so I thought I'd better go with a salad.

Deschutes is such a great place to hang out with friends and family over a pint of some of the best beer in Bend. Their food is pretty damn good and the prices are acceptable. The pricing is much better ever since they stopped charging an extra dollar for fries and two bucks extra for a salad. Who ever did that anyhow? A salad for two bucks more? HA! Suckers.

Deschutes makes their own bread too man. Oh, the bun on the french dip and on their burgers are so soft its almost wrong. Remember, Fridays, they have chowder as the soup of the day.

You know, I don't know why I tell you these things. I like going there on Fridays. When all you chumps go there (especially you the tourists) it makes the wait for a table almost unbearable. I say almost since I can get a pint as my appetizer and hang out in the bar with fellow locals and watch whatever they have on ESPN behind the bar.

Enjoy!

Deschutes Brew Pub

1044 NW Bond Street, between Franklin and Greenwood
Bend, OR 97701
541-382-9242

http://www.deschutesbrewery.com/BrewPub/default.aspx

I'm Tired of McMenamins

McMenamins - Bend Oregon

Man, I try to like that place but it's getting too consistent with the poor service and food quality. Today's special had a Whiskey Chicken Sandwich. Marinated chicken breast with white cheddar, bacon, special sauce, on a potato bun.

Sounded delicious. I ordered mine with fries.

When my lunch arrived I was treated with a chicken breast sandwich with a salad. No cheese, no bacon, no fries.

Maybe the Californian's were right.

BBC Fish Tacos - Bend Brewing Company

Bend Brewing Company

I love the BBC, or as its also called, the Bend Brewing Company. I haven't been disappointed by their service, food, or beers ever. I do have one complaint. Would it kill them to turn the heat on once in a while? I mean, I like it cold but damn, sometimes I leave my coat on if eating an early lunch on a cold day. Might as well have the patio open if it's warmer outside with snow on the ground than inside in my booth.

Ok that was a bit much but seriously, it's pretty cold in there sometimes. Turn the heat up Wendi, that's all I'm saying.

On my last visit I decided on the Fish Tacos. It's quite the meal. Look at all you get:

Rice and beans are under the two tortillas. So you assemble your fish tacos as you see fit. Here's a locals tip, ask for an extra tortilla. I don't like to stuff all of my food into the two tortillas provided and make a mess out of my meal. So having an extra tortilla works out perfectly. Now for some reason when you ask for ONE extra tortilla, you'll get two. Don't ask me why. I think I asked once and the answer was something like "that's how they come". Since that's all I remember...vaguely, I came to the conclusion that Outback is a strong beer.

The fish tacos are filling yet leave you feeling light and not weighed down like when I get the BBQ Turkey and fries. I also ask for some Chahula hot sauce since the salsa they provide doesn't pack the punch that I need.

Other BBC Reviews:
Fish and Chips
BBQ Turkey

Bend Brewing Company
1019 NW Brooks St.
Bend, OR, 97701
(541)383-1599

http://www.bendbrewingco.com/

Deschutes Brew Pub - ESB

Deschutes Brew Pub

There is nothing better on a snowy Friday like today than a bowl of clam chowder (served as the special soup every Friday...at least as far as I know), a pint of Inversion, and a ESB (Extra Special Burger). Oh and adding up the calories is pretty fun too.

Below is an older photo of my lunch about a month ago. Back then they were not making their own fries like they normally do because of a shortage of potatoes. They are making their own fries now though so maybe I'll be able to get a new photo today.

If you get fries with your meal, make sure you try their mustard. It's like dipping your fries in a pool of heaven. Shoot, even if you don't get fries, try the mustard. Try it on your salad...sure, why not, it's what Sorority girls do. Don't they? They also have tickle fights and practice kissing with each other.

The home made fries are scrumptious. Get them.

Deschutes serves up some delicious food. They make their own buns, use local beef for their burgers, brew their own beers (at least some of the beers), make their own mustard, and have some hot waitresses. I mean, a friendly wait staff ready to serve.

I mean the list of great food, beers, and service goes on and on. Go there today and tell your friendly waiter (they're good lookin too...what up Marcus) or waitress that I sent ya...maybe they'll comp me a pint or something.

Deschutes Beer Pub

1044 NW Bond Street, between Franklin and Greenwood
Bend, OR 97701
541-382-9242
http://www.deschutesbrewery.com/BrewPub/default.aspx

McMenamins - Crab Melt

McMenamins - Bend Oregon

I found myself at McMenamins again for lunch recently. On the daily specials menu the Dungenous Crab Melt caught my attention. The description was a perfect match for my taste buds - Dill Havarti, Bacon, Fresh Avacado, and served on some toasted garlic bread. Now please tell me if you think that I'm wrong in expecting some crab, cheese, bacon, and a slice of avacado on toasted bread.

Instead I received a Dungenous Crab CAKE Melt with Guacamole. I do not have a problem with this dish as long as THAT's how it's described on the menu. I am generally not a fan of crab cakes and I am pretty picky when it comes to good quac. The crab cake was ok but in this dish there was just too much going on and not enough crab. The quac was not good at all. A slice of fresh avacado would have helped out for sure.

I was pretty disappointed with this special to say the least. I definitely would not have ordered it had I known it was a crab cake with guacamole.

McMenamins - Old St. Francis School

700 NW Bond Street
Bend, OR 97701
541-382-5174
http://www.mcmenamins.com/index.php?loc=98&id=737

McMenamins - Old St. Francis School - Bend Oregon

McMenamins - Old St. Francis School

Driving around downtown we were having trouble deciding on where to get some food. A couple wrong turns and next thing we knew, there was McMenamins. Where else in town can you get a bowl of cheese for lunch? I don't know but I wanted me some cheese!


We hadn't been to McMenimans in quite a while. The last time we went for lunch the service was really...really...really slow. That's not the best feature when you do have to get back to work at some point. A lot of our friends have had the same experience but we were willing to give it another go.


The service was just dandy. I was actually rather impressed that we got exactly what we asked for, with the proper timing especially because our waitress appeared to be in training. She did a fabulous job though.


I am a big fan of restaurants giving you your appetizer first and allowing enough time to enjoy it before the rest of your food comes out. Baldy's, I'm talking to you buddy. Love your ribs but bring the wings out before my food gets there. The tables aren't big enough to hold everything. I guess I could just eat less but that's not going to happen.


What was I talking about...oh right...a bowl of cheese:


We were starving so while we figured out what we were going to order for lunch, we decided to try the Brewer's Crab Fondue Pot. Beer, cheese, crab...freakin awesome! After I was done with my Burger, I kicked myself for not spreading some of this fondue on it. That would have been perfection!

I'm half kidding. The fondue was insanely good. It was a bit much for just two people who both ordered a regular lunch as well. Four people would have been perfect or if we just got half salads after. But no, I had to get the Bacon Cheeseburger:

Pretty good for a burger. The bacon was a bit too crispy. Also, what's with the dollup of mayo/mustard "double secret sauce" that they splack on the bun? It's not enough to spread out on the bun at all. They give just the size of a quarter worth. Give me a little on the side or something so I dont have to reach for the mustard or ketchup. Other than that, it was a pretty good burger.

All in all, a good time at McMenamins.

McMenamins - Old St. Francis School

700 NW Bond Street
Bend, OR 97701
541-382-5174
http://www.mcmenamins.com/index.php?loc=98&id=737

Bend Brewing Company or BBC - Bend Oregon

Bend Brewing Company

Ah Friday! I love Friday. The horse's name is Friday! It's Friday, you ain't got no job ...

Alright so today I went out to lunch with some friends to the Bend Brewing Company again. Not my choice since I was there recently but I was outnumbered and hungry and the sun was in my eyes.

I felt like I was in that commercial for Sam Adams where those suck ups order water, then water but with lemon...I'll take an Outback. Outback will put some hair on your chest. Sounds good huh ladies?

Last time I had the BBQ Turkey but today I went for the Outback battered Fish n Chips. It's paired nicely with ... you guessed it Watson, the Outback Ale.



Great stuff but I wonder if $9 is a bit on the high side for fish n chips? I'm rich so it doesn't really matter to me but it may be something to consider (update, Deschutes charges $14 for their Fish and Chips so $9 is pretty damn good). I guess $9 is a good price. I mean, if it was $3.99 I would be a bit worried about the quality.

The fish was good and as I've mentioned before, their fries are some of the best in town. I should have taken a growler to-go. For $12 you can get a 64oz jug of beer. Mmmmm beer. Plus you get to keep the jug. WHOO whooo WHOOO whooo (that's my Lisa Simpson playing the Jug) ... fun for the whole family. Refills are only $9.

I'm not rich btw, that was just a joke.

Bend Brewing Company
1019 NW Brooks St.
Bend, OR, 97701
(541)383-1599
http://www.bendbrewingco.com/

BBC or Bend Brewing Company - Bend Oregon

Bend Brewing Company

One of my favorite places to dine is the Bend Brewing Company or BBC. It's located in a great spot just off of Mirror Pond. It's pretty cool to look out onto the water or just at the swaying trees. Maybe it's me that's swaying after a couple pints of Outback Ale. The photos of the view are here mainly cause they will be going away eventually.


There is a company that is building condos all around the BBC. The story I heard is that this company came in and offered the owners money for the land but nothing for the business. I heard that they were expecting them to accept but the BBC thankfully did not. Now this company is building the condos all around the BBC. So, eventually this view will probably go away.

The food at the Bend Brewing Company is always delicious. I went with my normal BBQ Turkey on Focaccia (I pronounce it pho-kaw-shia - I'm going to name one of my kids Phokawshia) and a salad. Now the BBQ Turkey normally does not come on Focaccia. It's now on a hoagie roll. They changed it so it would be easier to do half sandwiches. Plus, I normally do not have the salad since the BBC has probably the best French fries in town. So I guess I didn't go with my normal at all. Wanna fight about it?


Anyway, today the BBQ Turkey was extra special cause the turkey was chopped up a bit instead of it's normal full slices folded over. They probably gave me all the scrap pieces but whatever, it made the sandwich better. Wanna fight about it?

The wife chose to try the soup of the day, a split pea with barley and a half turkey club. What is it with getting that one slice of bacon that isn't cut in half? Who eats it like that? Doesn't everyone have to take the sandwich apart and break their own bacon so it fits on the sandwich? Does it look bad if they were to just cut the bacon in half? I would prefer not to have to touch my own bacon.


She said it was great regardless. She didn't share a bite of her lunch today so I can't say for sure if I approve or not but most likely it was great. I have not had a problem with anything at the BBC yet. I didn't mind about her hoarding all her food, I was way too busy stuffing my face with BBQ sauce covered turkey to give a ... hoot.

Bend Brewing Company
1019 NW Brooks St.
Bend, OR, 97701
(541)383-1599
http://www.bendbrewingco.com/