Central Oregon Winter Beer Festival returns this March
Last held in 2019, the Central Oregon Winter Beer Festival is back this March under new management by the Oregon Brewers Guild. First announced as a February event anchoring central Oregon Craft Beer Month festivities, the festival was pushed to 2/12 and has now been rescheduled even further out to Saturday, March 5th 2022 because of the spread of the Omicron variant. In keeping with safety precautions the OBG is requiring vaccinations for those 5 and up, as well as masks when appropriate. And in keeping with past traditions this event will again be held at GoodLife Brewing in their expansive beer garden and parking lot in Bend, Oregon. Tickets are on sale now.
This will be the 8th annual Central Oregon Winter Beer Festival, and it would have been the 9th if we hadn’t missed last seasons due to COVID. The festival was previously a production and fundraiser of the Central Oregon Brewers Guild, but that organization dissolved last year and it’s now been handed off to the state-wide industry trade group the Oregon Brewers Guild.
“We are very excited at the opportunity,” shared Christina LaRue, Executive Director of the Oregon Brewers Guild. “I spent four years on the board of the Central Oregon Brewers Guild prior to taking my current position and have always loved this event. I am looking forward to being able to help continue and grow the event, which will now become a fundraiser for OBG, as well as build on the relationship the event has with our friends at GoodLife Brewing who have always been an avid supporter of the Guild.”
The event was originally slated for February 5th as the kick off to Oregon Craft Beer Month, but due to the current public health situation, the decision was made to move the event to March 5th.
“Planning in-person events is exceptionally tricky right now,” stated LaRue. “You still have to be ready to pivot at any given moment and although we are more than ready for festivals to return, we also want to ensure that every event we host is done safely and with public health as a top priority.”
In light of the current situation, the Guild is taking added safety precautions including encouraging social distancing, offering hand sanitizing stations throughout the event space, requiring guests to wear face masks during entry and while in line, requiring volunteers to wear face masks at all times, and requiring proof of vaccination for all attendees 5 years of age and older.
“We are taking the added measures to help protect our team, brewers, volunteers, and attendees,” said LaRue. “We understand that some folks may be disappointed with the vaccination requirement, but as we continue to move ahead through this pandemic, we hope to be able to see you all at future OBG events.”
The Guild will continue to monitor the current public health situation and adjust or cancel the event if deemed necessary.
The event is free to attend, family and leashed-dog friendly. Tasting packages available for purchase. Additional event information and list of participating breweries will be available via the Oregon Brewers Guild website (https://www.oregoncraftbeer.org/events). Proceeds from the event benefit the nonprofit Guild’s efforts to promote and protect the Oregon craft beer industry.
WHAT: Central Oregon Winter Beer Festival
WHEN: Saturday, March 5th 2pm-9pm
WHERE: GoodLife Brewing Company/Century Center Parking Lot, 70 SW Century Drive Bend, Oregon
About the Oregon Brewers Guild
The Oregon Brewers Guild is a non-profit organization whose mission is to promote and protect the state’s craft brewing industry and the common interests of its members. Founded in 1992, the Oregon Brewers Guild is one of the nation’s oldest craft brewers associations.
Website: OregonCraftBeer.org
Instagram/Facebook/Twitter: @OregonCraftBeer