Deschutes Brewery
By Thomas Pankratz
Gary Fish established the Deschutes Brewery & Public House as a small brew pub in 1988 in downtown Bend, Oregon and named it after the Deschutes River. He emphasized a community-based approach to his business, stating, “We want people to feel like this is in a lot of ways theirs”. And the town has embraced this mentality.
By embracing their community and brewing wonderfully flavored beers, they started to sell beer at a fast pace. They started by selling 210 barrels of beer in their first year of existence and by 1992, sales were up to 3954 barrels. Unable to keep up with demand in their original facility, the brewery expanded to a 16,000-squar-foot production brewery in 1993 with the ability to brew in 50-barrel batches. Deschutes has a brewing facility with two brew houses, distributing its beer in more than 28 states. A new Deschutes brew pub opened in the Pearl District of Portland, Oregon in May 2008.
In 2012, The brewery expanded again by adding 6750 square feet and adding 105,000 of beer barrels of production capacity. The first stage in the expansion, which included five new fermentation tanks, was completed in 2012 and the second stage, with another five tanks was completed in spring of 2013. In March 2016, Deschutes announced that they would build an east coast production facility in Roanoke, Virginia, with beer production to start in 2021. They kicked off the tap room and restaurant opening in downtown Roanoke by hosting two street pubs. So needless to say, things are going well at the Deschutes Brewery.
As well as emphasizing community, another key component to their business model is the focus on sustainability. In 2012 they received the Sustainability Award from the Central Oregon Environmental Center and was also named in 2011 as a “Green Power Partner” by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Starting in 2012, Deschutes Brewery pledged to put one billion gallons of water back into the Deschutes River annually through the Deschutes River Conservancy (DRC) water leasing program- the programs’ largest donation ever. The company purchases or offsets 100 percent of electrical power usage from renewable sources and is a “Champion” level member of Pacific Power’s Blue Sky Renewable Energy Program.
In closing, Deschutes Brewery has been around for more than three decades and continues to impress with solid beers that are very drinkable and sustainable to boot. Every time I reach for a Deschutes beer, I am pleasantly surprised at how well-crafted their beer is. Never getting too far out of their lane and always crafted very well. Deschutes is definitely a trusted brewery that I suggest you give a try. Cheers!
Deschutes Squeezy Rider West Coast IPA
Chill out with this juicy refresher that’s packed with heaps of hops to bring torrential tides of tropical flavors and a dab of dankness. Big tropical fruit aroma, light dank, and melon paired with clean, light malt character. Hop and yeast-driven fruity sweetness balanced with a bitterness that is laid back, leaving you care-less about IBU’s.
Malt: 2 row, Wheat, Munich
Hops: Cascade, Strata, Mosaic, Galaxy
IBUs: 40 ABV: 7.0%
Deschutes Fresh Squeezed IPA
Savor every last drop of tropical refreshment with this juicy blend of citrusy hops balanced by a lively malt body. Juicy sweet hop aromas of grapefruit and passionfruit. Hops carry through a muffin -like malt character rounding out this full-flavored IPA into a thing of beauty like no other. Over 300 pounds of hops per brew go into this beer!
Malt: 2 row, Munich, Crystal
Hops: Citra, Mosaic
IBUs: 60 ABV: 6.4%
Deschutes Fresh Haze IPA
The first beer to get to market from their pilot brewery is a sticky “high pulp” hazy addition to their Fresh Family with late additions bursts of citrusy hops. Hop aromas of mandarin orange, pineapple, and light mango with a pillowy sweet, juicy mouthfeel. Soak up the soft golden rays of an inviting malt body as the lively hues of citrusy hops linger on the horizon of a cool, refreshing finish.
Malt: 2 row, Crystal, Wheat, Flaked Oats
Hops: Amarillo, Cashmere, Mandarina Bavaria, Bravo
IBUs: 45 ABV: 6.5%
Deschutes Black Butte Porter
This is the beer that Started it all. Named for iconic Black Butte, towering high above Central Oregon and seen for miles, this surprisingly balanced porter has notes of rich chocolate and coffee, a luscious creaminess and roasted finish. No wonder it’s Americas Favorite. Chocolate, malty aroma with just a touch of creamy, coffee sweetness. Light bodied and surprisingly drinkable, its their favorite beer to surprise people with they ask for a “light beer.”
Malt: 2 row, Chocolate, Wheat, Crystal, Carapils
Hops: Cascade, Tettnang
IBUs: 30 ABV: 5.5%
For more info on Deschutes, please visit: deschutesbrewery.com
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