Craft breweries are increasingly cutting into the traditional brew market. Every year, while some fail, many continue to grow, expanding their business and growing their facilities. One-way craft brewers have of showing off their brews, and the capabilities of their facilities are through festivals dedicated to their craft. Another means, is through winning awards at various competitions. One of these events is the now annual Best of Craft Beer Awards with breweries in Bend vying for top brews.
Award Winning Breweries in Bend
The Best of Craft Beer Awards was held in January in the winter/summer vacation community of Bend. This five-year-old tradition now ranks as the third biggest professional competition for craft brewing companies in America. In 2018, more than 2,000 entries from across North America, Belgium and Colombia faced-off to win Gold, Silver or Bronze in any of 156 specific beer styles. When the foam settled, judges had awarded 245 medals to some 152 breweries. In Bend, recipients included:
* Deschutes: The oldest and largest brewery won Silver for their Black Butte Porter and Bronze for their Hop Henge Imperial IPA
* The Immersion Brewing Company: This Bend brewery took home a Silver for their Little Fawn Saison
* Silver Moon Brewing: This local craft brewery came home with two medals – a Silver for Darkside Stout and a Bronze for their Get Sum Pale Ale
* Sunriver Brewing Company: This up-and-coming brewery won a Silver for their craft brew entry, Resin Nation
* 10 Barrel Brewing Co: Of all Bend breweries, this was the biggest winner, taking home 8 medals including 6 Gold for:
1. Allure
2. Brilliant
3. Dark Queen
4. Passionate Envy
5. Raspberry Crush
6. RedeuX
It also won Silver for Juicy Meet Zesty and Femme de la Rouge and a Bronze for Midnight in Antwerp.
* Worthy: This small Bend craft brewery took home a Silver for their Strata IPA
Simply put, award-winning breweries in Bend are abundant.