For a few sunny days in August, we joined national beer advocates and connoisseurs descending on the city of Bend for the 11th Annual Bend Brewfest. Held at the Les Schwab Amphitheater in the historic Old Mill District, the Bend Brewfest was the weekend home for more than 60 different breweries sampling over 140 different craft beers.

Thanks to the heavy presence of Oregon-based breweries, the weekend feel more like a big high school reunion then a beer festival, and local breweries brought out their prime product to share with the crowds. Not wanting to leave any fan behind, our cameras were on site to show you all the action, and offer a rundown of some of the best brews of the weekend. Miss out on the fun? Fear not! The festival will be back next August for it’s 12th year. Only 349-ish days to go! Tick, tick, tick… 

Fort George / Boneyard / Block 15: 3 Way IPA

A collaboration with three breweries from three distinct regions: Oregon Coast, Willamette Valley, and Central Oregon. This is a hoppy, potent IPA, yet also very smooth. With flavors reminiscent of melon and grapefruit, delivered in a deep golden hue, this is a perfect beer for almost any occasion. Fort George Brewery owner Jack Harris probably puts it best when he said, “Nobody ever gets tired of asking for a 3-Way”.

Logsdon Farmhouse Ales : Peche N’ Brett

This small operation out of Hood River has been making some serious strides in the beer world in recent years. Strong and unique flavors are the name of the game—if you’re looking for a Coors Light knockoff, look somewhere else. Case in point: the Peche N’ Brett. This light saison is jam packed with local peaches (a pound and a half per gallon!), pleasing funk, andan alcohol percentage to rival most wines. 

Worthy Brewing Company: Eruption Imperial Red

Worthy Brewing is fairly new to the beer scene, but it has already made a mark on the Bend beer scene, thanks to some hearty upfront investment—the brewery hit the ground running with a canning line, large brewery, and the beer to fill them both. The Eruption is a strong and bold example of a imperial red ale, and makes for the perfect pairing after a day of hiking around Smith Rock. 

Widmer Brothers’ / 10 Barrel Brewing: Fizz

The third in the series of collaboration beers done in honor of Widmer’s 30th Anniversary celebration, the Fizz is an herb spice beer made with Champagne yeast. Humorously called a “spritzer-style ale,” this light and refreshing beer boasts flavors of lemon and ginger with enough bubbles to make you think you're drinking a soda. Yes, it's dangerous.

Boneyard Beers: Chingadera IPA

Bend’s own Boneyard Beers has taken up the mantel in the Northwest as the king of IPAs, and the Cingadera is no exception. Dry, balanced, and hoppy with balanced aromas of caramel, malt, and resin, this amber-hued IPA is hard to resist.