This year Oregon’s second largest beer festival the Bend Brewfest returns after a 2-year hiatus, but it will be notably different. Normally this beer festival gathers brewers from across the state (and some from out of the state) to Bend’s Les Schwab Amphitheater in late August, with tons of vendors, live music, and a sprawling grassy landscape. But in 2022 it will shift to May dates and a new venue, not so much because of the pandemic, but because of scheduling issues. They will also require COVID-19 vaccination to attend.

Bend Brewfest is promising the same vast selection of local and regional beer flavors for which it’s long been known, but will jump across the Deschutes River to Bend, OR’s Old Mill District. This years event will be more sprawling but with a smaller crowd, by extending along the grassy river parkway with multiple spread out tasting areas from the ponds on the north (left side) of the district all the way to open plaza next to Vanilla Urban Threads on the southern end (right side) of the Old Mill District.

It will also be abbreviated to 2-days rather than the 4-days of the past, and the new dates for the fest are Friday and Saturday, May 13-14, noon to 9 p.m. each day. The new venue is possibly/maybe temporary for 2022 and will hopefully return to the now renamed Hayden Homes Amphitheater location in 2023 after a re-evaluation, but organizers plan to keep the beerfest in May rather than August going forward. One thing that is not changing in 2022 is the beer list which promises more than 100 beers from 65-plus breweries.

Pre-sale tickets go on sale St. Patrick’s Day, March 17, at BendBrewfest.com. The 2022 Bend Brewfest will have a limited capacity and pre-sale tickets are available while supplies last.

“It would be impossible for us to express just how thrilled we are to have Bend Brewfest back on our schedule for 2022,” said Beau Eastes, marketing director at the Old Mill District. “This is an event people typically circle on their calendars, and while we moved it across the river and bumped it up from its traditional August date, we plan to deliver the same high-quality event people have come to expect.”

This includes bringing back Bend Brewfest’s vaunted X-Tap, which will include a wide selection of high-end, specialty and experimental beer available for scheduled tastings. Cider and wine options will also be available, as will food, vendors, and music from live DJs.

According to Eastes, this year’s Brewfest event will feature a healthy mix of beer from well-known local and regional breweries like pFriem, Boneyard, and Breakside; as well as from newer, up-and-coming brewers – names like Van Henion in Bend, Funky Fauna in Sisters, and Alesong Brewing & Blending in Eugene.

“Along with all 65 breweries and 100-plus beers, I’m particularly excited about our X-Tap this year,” Eastes said. “The X-Tap offers brewers the chance to show off their specialty, high-end, barrel-aged-type beers – the stuff you can’t typically find in a grocery store six-pack – and this year, our X-Tap will be as robust as ever.”

By moving Bend Brewfest from summer to spring this year, the Brewfest will overlap with another one of Bend’s signature events: the SELCO Pole Pedal Paddle (PPP)on Saturday, May 14. This scheduling decision was intentional, says Eastes, as organizers for each event believe the proximity in time and place - the PPP finish line will be along the west banks of the Deschutes River in the Old Mill District - will be mutually beneficial.

“The cool thing about the Pole Pedal Paddle is there’s a lot more people involved than just the participants,” Eastes said. “They can come over and enjoy some beer tastings, and I’m sure many of our Bend Brewfest fans will go over to watch the finish of one of the area’s premier multi-sport races.”

Tickets for this year’s Bend Brewfest will be sold both in advance and at the gate for $40 each. Tasting packages include admission to the Brewfest and 10 tasting tokens.

All attendees of the 2022 Bend Brewfest will be required to show proof of full vaccination.

Bend Brewfest is a collaboration between the Old Mill District and the Hayden Homes Amphitheater with support from the Bend Cultural Tourism Fund.

About the Bend Brewfest
Founded in 2002, the Bend Brewfest annually showcases the most creative and innovative craft breweries in the Pacific Northwest in a gorgeous setting along the banks of the Deschutes River in the Old Mill District. The Bend Brewfest has become known as an event where brewers can highlight their specialty, hard-to-find brews on the festival’s X-Taps, and 2022 promises more of the same. www.bendbrewfest.com.

About the Old Mill District
Celebrating 20 years as one of the Pacific Northwest’s most distinctive and dynamic mixed-use developments, the Old Mill District is located on 270 acres that formerly housed one of the largest sawmill operations in the world. The rich history of the land is coupled with spectacular mountain views, scenic river vistas and an extensive trail system to enjoy the outdoors. More than 55 local, regional and national retailers and businesses call the Old Mill District home. Bend’s Old Mill District – the most unique shopping, dining, living, and entertainment experience in the region. www.oldmilldistrict.com.