Deschutes Open House and Barrel Tasting Events

Deschutes’ is having their 4th annual open house this Saturday from 12:00 to 4:00. If it is like last year’s event, then they will have the brewery open for self-guided tours with people stationed around various spots to tell you about things like how many gallons of beer a vessel holds or how quickly the bottling line runs. It is informative and fun for sure, but the end brings tastings and conversation with staff and volunteers. It’s a nice event. Here’s the email they sent out for it.

Bring Your Family to See Our Family

Complimentary Beer Tastings, Snacks, Self-Guided Tours
& Beer 101 Classes.
$ Gift Shop Open for Retail Therapy $

Help Us Celebrate the Release of Our 19th Anniversary Brew!!

Later that evening, for those lucky ticket holders who planned early, the sold out barrel tasting spirals up at 7:00 in the Mountain Room. I called to try and get a buddy a ticket for his brother-in-law a couple of days ago, and they had a waiting list that was about 30 people deep. The last barrel tasting event was my favorite beer tasting event that Deschutes puts on. Some of the beers are just OK, but some really are pieces of art. One of my favorites last year was a subtly dressed-up Mirror Pond that had been aged in French Oak (not a wine barrel or whiskey barrel). It was just enough to add complexity to an otherwise stable, workhorse beer.

I think the majority of the beers on the list have been featured at one time or another at the pub in downtown Bend, but a night where they’re all lined up for you to tour … nice. Very very nice. Here’s their list for this year’s event:

Bourbon Obsidian Stout
aged 6 weeks in Jack Daniels Bourbon Barrels

French Oak Mirror Pond
aged 2 months in both new and used French Oak Barrels then dry hopped with copious amounts of Cascades

Pinot Jubel
Our 2006 & 2007 Jubelale aged 6 weeks pinot noir barrels then blended with Bachelor Bitter and dry hopped with East Kent Goldings

Mirror Mirror
aged 8 months in French and Oregon Oak Barrels

The Abyss
aged 3 months in both French Oak & Bourbon Barrels

Nitro Bourbon Porter
aged 2 months in Makers Mark Bourbon Barrels

Oregon Oak Cinder Cone Red
aged 6 weeks in all Oregon Oak and then dry hopped with Amarillos

Bourbon Imperial Porter
aged 6 months in Makers Mark Bourbon Barrels

I’ll circle back around after the event to weigh in with impressions. Hope to see you there!