BEND, OR—Deschutes Brewery beers took center stage at two recent international awards programs –World Beer Awards and European Beer Star 2013, Europe’s largest beer competition. Most notably, the brewery’s new Deschutes River Ale was named the World’s Best Bitter and The Americas Best Bitter (in the up to 4 percent category). The Abyss, Deschutes Brewery’s barrel-aged imperial stout, took home a gold medal.

Brian Faivre brewmaster for Deschutes Brewery said, “Winning awards at both these competitions is a testament to the hard work our brewing team puts into every beer we produce. To be recognized at a national level against all the fantastic breweries out there is confirmation that our commitment to consistency, quality and pushing the envelope is working!”

At the European Beer Star 2013, competition was as tough as it has ever been: a total of 1,512 beers from 40 countries participated in the 2013 competition, an increase of 11% over the previous year. An expert committee evaluated the beers during an all-day blind taste held in the Doemens Brewing Academy in Gräfelfing. The Abyss took home the gold medal in the Imperial Stout category.

The World Beer Award program also selects winners for internationally recognized beer styles from around the world by blind-tasting hundreds of entries from nearly 40 countries. Awards were announced following four rounds of judging by an international, highly respected judging panel. The competition selects, awards, and promotes to consumers the best beers available internationally. A complete list of awards for Deschutes Brewery in 2013 includes:

World’s Best Rankings

• Deschutes River Ale – World’s Best Bitter (Up to 4%)
• The Dissident – World’s Best Label
• Obsidian Stout – World’s Best Stout

The Americas Best Rankings

• Deschutes River Ale – The America’s Best Bitter (Up to 4%)
• Obsidian Stout – The America’s Best Stout
• The Abyss – The America’s Silver
• The Dissident – The America’s Best Oud Bruin
• The Dissident – The America’s Best Label
• Hop Henge Experimental IPA – The America’s Silver.

About Deschutes Brewery
Celebrating its 25th anniversary this year, Deschutes Brewery began as a brew pub in downtown Bend, Oregon and is known for such brands as Black Butte Porter, its flagship brew and the nation’s number one selling craft porter, and the popular Mirror Pond Pale Ale. In addition to its original Bend pub, this family and employee-owned brewery opened a second pub in Portland’s Pearl District in 2008. The company’s main brewing facility is located on the banks of the Deschutes River and produces over 250,000 barrels of beer annually for distribution in 21 states and two provinces. Deschutes Brewery was named one of America’s Best Places to Work in 2013 by Outside Magazine. To find out more, visit www.DeschutesBrewery.com

BEND, OR—Deschutes Brewery is coming to Nebraska! The Oregon-based brewery will be working with Johnson Brothers of Nebraska, part of Johnson Brothers Liquor Company which has been serving the greater region for 60 years.  To celebrate this new partnership, and the arrival of Deschutes in Nebraska, the brewery is launching with a series of special events in the Omaha and Lincoln areas.

A series of events are scheduled from October 15-18, as part of the launch.  It’s the perfect opportunity to try some combination of official Deschutes Brewery Nebraska launch beers, including award winners and style leaders Mirror Pond Pale Ale, Black Butte Porter and Chainbreaker White IPA.  Making small talk with a brewer and other personalities from Deschutes Brewery is a terrific bonus.  This schedule follows below the signature events described below.  Please visit Deschutes Brewery’s events page for more information.

Don’t miss Woody either!  The giant, good-times-on-wheels mobile bar rolls his way around Nebraska during our launch week, complete with multiple delicious Deschutes Brewery beers, a stereo, and a disco ball. He is a natural gathering spot at any event for all thirsty individuals (and any misplaced members of your party). Follow Woody’s shenanigans on Twitter at @DBWoody or you can “friend” him at www.facebook.com/deschuteswoody.

Tuesday, October 15, noon-2pm

What: “It’s Five O’Clock Somewhere” Lunch

We will be making our own happy hour at Cunningham’s – right in the middle of the day! In fact, we can’t think of a better way to spend a Tuesday. Come meet the gang from Deschutes Brewery – here all the way from Oregon – and sampling beers like Mirror Pond Pale Ale, Black Butte Porter, Jubelale and Chainbreaker White IPA.

Location: Cunningham’s Pub & Grill, 10904 W. Dodge Road, Omaha, NE 68154

Tuesday, October 15, 4-6pm

What:  Deschutes Brewery Meet, Greet and Sample

Save your grocery shopping trip for Tuesday afternoon and come down to Whole Foods Market for the Deschutes Brewery meet, greet and sample. And when we say “sample” we mean some fantastic beers like Mirror Pond Pale Ale,Black Butte Porter, Jubelale, Hop Trip, Chasin’ Freshies and Chainbreaker White IPA paired with foods from the Whole Foods Prepared Foods Department.

Where: Whole Foods, 10020 Regency Circle, Omaha, NE 68114

Tuesday, October 15, 4pm

What: Deschutes Brewery Official Nebraska Launch Party

Oh, the beers you will try at Beer Corner USA!

Crescent Moon’s Weekly Famous Pint Night, 4pm-close
You’ll get a pint glass with your purchase, plus discounted pints of Mirror Pond Pale Ale, Black Butte Porter,Chainbreaker White IPA, Jubelale, Nitro Jubelale, Hop Trip, Armory XPA and something special and top secret!!

Beertopia, 4-6pm
Try a bunch of Deschutes beers – including year-round favorites and fresh hop seasonals, plus learn how to build your own Kegerator in a special demo from the folks at Johnson Brothers.

Woody’s Beer Garden, 4-10pm
Woody – Deschutes Brewery’s giant traveling beer barrel – will be present, sampling your new favorite array of beers. Come get your photo taken with this keg on wheels while sipping some craft beer from one of his many taps.

Where: Beer Corner USA, 3570 & 3578 Farnam Street, Omaha, NE 68131

Wednesday, October 16, noon-2pm

What: “It’s Five O’Clock Somewhere” Lunch

We will be making our own happy hour at Omaha Tap House– right in the middle of the day! In fact, we can’t think of a better way to spend a Wednesday. Come meet the gang from Deschutes Brewery – here all the way from Oregon – and sampling beers like Mirror Pond Pale Ale, Black Butte Porter, Jubelale and Chainbreaker White IPA.
Where: Omaha Tap House, 1403 Farnam Street, #136, Omaha, NE 68102

Wednesday, October 16, 4-6pm

What:  Deschutes Brewery Meet, Greet and Sample

Are you a craft beer fan? Here’s your chance to come chat with the folks from Oregon’s Deschutes Brewery while they’re in town celebrating their Nebraska launch. Try some fantastic beers like Mirror Pond Pale Ale, Black Butte Porter, Jubelale, Hop Trip, Chasin’ Freshies and Chainbreaker White IPA.

Where: HyVee-Stony Brook, 14591 Stony Brook Blvd., Omaha, NE 68137

Wednesday, October 16, 6:30-9:30pm

What: Deschutes Brewery’s Hats off to Homebrewers

Attention homebrewers and beer geeks…come share your love for craft with the fabulous staff from Nebraska Brewing Company and Deschutes Brewery. Chat with Nebraska Brewing Company’s Head Brewer Tyson Arp and Deschutes Brewer Ryan Schmiege.  Sip on an exclusive brew made just for the event, out of your commemorative snifter. Gather complimentary brewing supplies, including clone recipe booklets and bags of whole flower hops, to use in your next homebrew (supplies are limited).  Win a $100 gift certificate to the newly opened Patriot Homebrew Supply.  But that’s not all…

Enjoy three beer samples from each brewery, expertly paired with three gourmet tapas-style items from Chef Chad Waters of Nebraska Brewing Company.  Plus a full glass of an exclusive Hats Off To Homebrewers brew.  Mix in a “Stump the Brewmaster” Q &A session.  It all adds up to a can’t-miss-night! Check out the amazing pairing menu below…

• Deschutes Mirror Pond Pale Ale and NBC Brunette Brown Ale
  Venison Sliders – Mirror Pond Kissed Pickled Onions, Brunette 7 Grain Mustard and Horseradish Aioli English Cheddar Cheese
• Deschutes Chainbreaker White IPA and NBC Beer formally known as Hop God
  Seafood Taco – Avocado Ranch, Mango Salsa, Cotija Cheese, Baby Arugula
• Deschutes Jubelale and NBC Apricot Saison
  Spiced Rubbed Ribeye “Carving Station” – Jubelale Shallot Marmalade, Apricot Au Poivre Saison Jus Rosemary Batard

Grab a fellow homebrewer or craft beer fan and join us for this amazing event!  Cheers!

Where: Nebraska Brewing Company, 7474 Towne Center Pkwy #101, Papillion NE 68046

Cost: The cost is $20 per person.  www.hatsoffne.eventbrite.com

Thursday, October 17, noon-2pm

What: “It’s Five O’Clock Somewhere” Lunch

We will be making our own happy hour at Leadbelly– right in the middle of the day! In fact, we can’t think of a better way to spend a Thursday. Come meet the gang from Deschutes Brewery – here all the way from Oregon – and sampling beers like Mirror Pond Pale Ale, Black Butte Porter, Jubelale and Chainbreaker White IPA.

Where: Leadbelly, 301 N 8^th Street, Lincoln, NE 68508

Thursday, October 17, 5-7pm

What:  Deschutes Brewery Meet, Greet and Sample

Are you a craft beer fan? Here’s your chance to come chat with the folks from Oregon’s Deschutes Brewery while they’re in town celebrating their Nebraska launch. Try some fantastic beers like Mirror Pond Pale Ale, Black Butte Porter, Jubelale, Hop Trip, Chasin’ Freshies and Chainbreaker White IPA. Beers will be perfectly paired with gourmet pizzas from Yia Yia’s. Get a photo with Woody, the brewery’s giant traveling beer barrel!

Where: Moran’s Liquor Works, 3400 A Street, Lincoln, NE 68510

Thursday, October 17, 6:45pm-10pm

What: Deschutes Brewery Bicycle Pub Crawl

It’s time to explore great craft beer all over Lincoln – by bicycle. Get your gang together and celebrate Deschutes Brewery beers on tap at some favorite watering holes and shops. There will be something deliciously different to try at each stop!

Where:

• Moran’s, 3400 A St, Lincoln, NE 68510  (meet around 6:45ish)
• Cycle Works, 720 N 27th St., Lincoln, NE 68503 (arrive around 7ish)
• Dempsey’s Burger Pub - 228 North 12 Street, Lincoln, NE 68508 (arrive around 8ish)
• Doc’s Place, 140 N 8th St., Lincoln, NE 68508 (arrive around 9ish)
• Yia Yia’s, 1423 O St., Lincoln, NE 68508 (last stop! 10ish)

Friday, October 18, 5-7pm

What:  Deschutes Brewery Meet, Greet and Sample

Are you a craft beer fan? Here’s your chance to come chat with the folks from Oregon’s Deschutes Brewery while they’re in town celebrating their Nebraska launch. Try some fantastic beers like Mirror Pond Pale Ale, Black Butte Porter, Jubelale, Hop Trip, Chasin’ Freshies, Chainbreaker White IPA and something very special! Beers will be perfectly paired with fare from Greta’s Gourmet Cuisine.

Where: The Still, 6820 S 70^th Street, Lincoln, NE 68516

Friday, October 18, 7-10pm

What:  Deschutes Brewery Flight Night

Friday is flight night! Take off with tapas style plates, each paired perfectly with Deschutes Brewery beers like Mirror Pond Pale Ale, Chainbreaker White IPA, Jubelale and Black Butte Porter. If that doesn’t make you fly on down here, then you will when you hear what foods inspired the small plates (hint, bacon).

Where: Single Barrel, 130 North 10^th Street, Lincoln, NE, 68508

BEND, OR—Deschutes Brewery is taking full advantage of its close proximity to some of the world’s leading whole flower hops this season, releasing two fresh hop beers later this month. Hop Trip, now in its ninth year of bottling, is full of freshly harvested Crystal hops that travel from the fields at Oregon’s Sodbuster Farms and into the brew kettle – all in a matter of hours. Chasin’ Freshies, in its second year in the Bond Street Series, uses Gamache Farms’ famed fresh Amarillo hops for this year’s vintage.

Cam O’Connor, brewmaster at Deschutes Brewery, said, “Fresh hop season is one of my favorite times of the year. The number of different beers that are made with fresh hops gives people an unlimited selection to choose from. All the amazing flavors and aromas that permeate from fresh hop beers are really exciting for me. I feel like a kid in a candy store sometimes during this season.”

The highly celebrated Hop Trip has been enjoyed by Deschutes Brewery fans for nearly a decade and is once again offered in 12-ounce bottle 6-packs as part of the Bond Street Series lineup. Why the longevity for this particular brew? Not only does it taste fantastic, but there’s a great story. The brewery team rushes over to the Willamette Valley each year to pick, bag and load up fresh whole flower hops. They quickly return to Bend, Oregon and dump these freshly harvested jewels into the brew kettle. The result? A perfect pale ale with a uniquely citrus punch and fall spice flavor. 5.5% Alcohol by Volume (ABV); 38 IBUs

Chasin’ Freshies, dubbed after the ski town pastime of chasing fresh powder on the slopes, hit the scene last year with some well-carved turns. Rather than the heirloom Cascade hops of the 2012 version, the brewers changed things up for 2013 and feature the fresh and bold Amarillo hops in this IPA. Fresh hop beer lovers will appreciate the bold, juicy aroma and flavor that comes but once a year. 7.2% Alcohol by Volume (ABV); 65 IBUs

Both beers will be available in most of the 22 states where Deschutes Brewery beers are sold, starting in October.

About Deschutes Brewery

Celebrating its 25th anniversary this year, Deschutes Brewery began as a brew pub in downtown Bend, Oregon and is known for such brands as Black Butte Porter, its flagship brew and the nation’s number one selling craft porter, and the popular Mirror Pond Pale Ale. In addition to its original Bend pub, this family and employee-owned brewery opened a second pub in Portland’s Pearl District in 2008. The company’s main brewing facility is located on the banks of the Deschutes River and produces over 250,000 barrels of beer annually for distribution in 21 states and two provinces. Deschutes Brewery was named one of America’s Best Places to Work in 2013 by Outside Magazine. To find out more, visit www.DeschutesBrewery.com

We’d love to see more breweries catering to cyclists across the country but for now, the Mountain West seems to predominate in beer/biking Meccas. Many such towns have recently been covered in this column: Durango and Telluride, CO; Jackson, WY; Park City, UT; Lake Tahoe, CA. But the road doesn’t end there. So strap on your brain bucket and bunny hop over to these spots where the trails are single-tracks and the ales are twice as nice.

Bend, OR

Not just Portland, but all of Oregon is considered Beervana. The things Oregonians do, they do well, and flooding a city with amazing breweries is no exception. Portland may get the credit for having the most breweries, but Bend has more per capita than any city, boasting nine, among some 80,000 residents. But that will reach an even dozen in the coming months.

Nestled between the Cascade Mountains and eastern Oregon’s high desert, outdoorsy types flock to Bend for rock climbing, river rafting, hiking, skiing and fishing. And, thanks to the trademarked Bend Ale Trail, brewery hopping has become its own sport. Jon Abernathy, who has been blogging at TheBrewSite.com since 2004, serves as our guide.

Abernathy deftly begins with Deschutes (www.DeschutesBrewery.com, 1044 NW Bond St.), Deschutes County’s biggest, oldest and best-known brewery, deserving of its reputation. The recently-expanded pub is in the brewery’s original home, with the production facility (901 SW Simpson Ave.) now based across the Deschutes River , with free daily tours including a tasting room. The food menu is semi-standard pub grub (vegetarians need not be scared, there’s a Black Butte porter-grilled portabello “burger”) and the liquid menu climbs over the top with 22 taps including several exclusives brewed on site. At last glance, there was a white IPA called Chainbreaker. Of course, odds are good that on tap you’ll find their Black Butte XXIII imperial porter (with chilies, cocoa nibs and orange peel) celebrating 23 years in brewing, or a vintage of their infamous The Abyss.