Bend, OR - 10 Barrel Brewing Company

Fast becoming one of our favorite stops in Bend, Oregon,  is the 10 Barrel Brewing Company. The original design of the pub, the award winning brews and the outstanding pizza keeps us coming back.  On this visit we were joined by our daughter and her family.  If you want to experience a cross section of the Bend community, this is the place to visit.  A favorite of locals and visitors, it's the perfect place to meet up with friends after a day of skiing, hiking or work.   The large patio has a fire pit, so patrons can always enjoy sitting outdoors no matter what the weather.  The wall  that faces that patio has two large garage doors that can be raised or lowered depending on the weather, giving the pub an al fresco feel on warm days. This is also true for the bar which features outdoor seating weather permitting.  The feel of the pub is industrial, but warm and friendly.  On my first visit I thought it might have been a renovated gas station, but was informed it actually was a bakery.  The unique design was the brain child of the innovative creators.

What did we have:  The beer selection ranges from golden ale to a dark black ale, as well as a number of hoppy selections with a little higher alcohol content.  I was in the mood for a lighter beer and chose the "Mike-Saw-Sasquatch" Session Ale, a flavorful golden ale with just a touch of sweetness.  It was smooth and delicious. My husband ordered the Irish Red Ale since he enjoys a little malty flavor. Although she usually favors the award winning Black Sinister Ale, our daughter decided on a glass of wine and selected the Loosen Riesling for its bright, fruit inspired character. A pizza margarita, a hippy pie (their loaded veggie) and a "can't fail" peperoni pizza, satisfied everyone's cravings.  The generous portion of chocolate cake topped with vanilla ice cream was delivered with five spoons, and was devoured in no time by this chocolate loving crowd.

What's fun: Oh my gosh, at 10 Barrel it's everything!  The brews, the food, the atmosphere all add to the fun factor. We've been there during all seasons and it's always filled with happy folks. I've had great conversations with locals sipping nice dark brews by the outdoor fire pit.  Pubs are always most fun when the crowd represents a cross section of the community.  That is definitely the case at 10 Barrel.  It's a comfortable place for families and groups of friends. The friendly, kick-back atmosphere encourages anyone who visits to have a good time.  If you want to experience the flavor of Bend, definitely check out 10 Barrel.