Wild Ride Brewing expands, opening second Oregon taproom and small batch brewery
Wild Ride Brewing is Redmond, Oregon’s largest, and second oldest brewery, and one of the most popular attractions in the city just north of Bend. Founded in 2014, the 20 bbl production facility is home to 4 food trucks and one of the best summer weather patios in the center of town. After nearly a decade the brewery known for beers like Nut Crusher peanut butter Porter and Whoopty Woot Wheat in classic pacific northwest styles and their taster trays made out of mini ski’s they call “tasteskis” has opened their first new location in Prineville.
Located near the center of town on the main drag of 3rd street, Wild Ride Brewing Prineville shares a lot in common with the original location. A more industrial, modern, garage-like space with a large and inviting beer garden out front that acts as a welcoming mat for the community.
But why move only 20 miles from their original location for their expansion instead of a completely new market?
“We felt if we could find the right location, our model of our tap room would be a good addition in Prineville, and we’d be able to fit in and support the already growing craft beer scene,” says Wild Ride co-founder Brian Mitchell.
Prineville residents were already big supporters of Wild Ride and craft beer in general, even though it doesn’t have much in the way of locally brewed beer but does have numerous businesses that represent the community such as Crooked Roots Brewing, Club Pioneer, Dillon’s Grill, Sons of Beer, The Water Hole, Barney Prine’s Steakhouse & Saloon, and The Corral. Establishing a second location near their base and cultivating even stronger community is a big part of Wild Ride’s growth plan rather than increasing distribution.
At their home base in Redmond, Wild Ride currently brews 4-5K barrels per year. The new Prineville location adds a brand new brewhouse, but Wild Ride isn’t looking to use it as a place to increase production because they still haven’t met their 9K barrel annual capacity limit in Redmond. “Our hope is that we’ll always be forward thinking enough to have our brewing capacity greater than our production to allow for future growth,” says Mitchell, as Wild Ride settles into more of a regional player rather than a company set to grow outside of state confines.
The 4,000 sq. ft Wild Ride Prineville location leaves about 2,500 sq. ft for a taproom that seats 100 indoors and 150 outdoors. Another 1,500 sq. ft. of the former auto garage’s footprint is for the 5 bbl brewhouse, which includes 4 x 5bbl FV tanks and 2 x 5bbl BT tanks. Laid out similarly to their headquarters in Redmond, the brewhouse is visible through glass garage doors and their expansive front patio with beautiful custom gas fire pits and four food trucks. Wild Catch Food Truck offers fish & chips, shrimp and buffalo wings; Stone-Pine Pizza offers individual and large pizzas, cheesy bread, Andale Street Tacos offering tacos, burritos, rice & beans, and more; and Burger Love offering burger/cheeseburger options, fries, tots, shakes and more. Both Wild Ride locations follow an order-at-the-bar concept, both indoor and outdoor seating with similar layouts, food options and dog and family-friendly for all hours/days.
The Prineville draft selection encompasses 26 tap handles all but two of which are for Wild Ride beers and the other reserved for guest ciders. Outside of beer they offer canned seltzer, guest wines, and even champagne for mimosas or toasting. And being as how they are so family-friendly, plenty of NA beverages including draft sodas/cans/bottles, kombucha, CBD beverages, energy drinks and more.
“Our interest in having a second location in Central Oregon had a lot to do with adding a 5 BBL pilot brewhouse to our operation, and be able to be close enough for Curly and our brewing team to oversee and be involved with both brewing operations,” says Mitchell. The 5bbl brewhouse will not be used for any packaged beers, but as a method to increase the variety of draft beer options and allow for greater experimentation and growth in styles and techniques rather than packaged product.
Over time Wild Ride wants to brew many of the styles that are not represented in their regular production lineup in Redmond. Out of the gates though, their first brews are traditional; Porter, Hoppy Wheat, ESB, West Coast Pale Ale, India Red Ale, Alt Bier, Mexican Lager, Summer Fruit Ale, and similar seasonally appropriate offerings.
“For the first time in our 8+ years of brewery operations, we’ll have the opportunity to brew smaller batch beers, focusing on brewing unique styles, fine-tuning beers, exploring new brewing ingredients, etc.” adds Mitchell.
Wild Ride Brewing - Prineville
1500 NE 3rd Street, Prineville, OR 97754
541-903-8130
Open Everyday: 11:00am - 10:00pm