Bend Brewfest 2023 Postponed, Hopes to Return in 2024
By Nancy Patterson
This week, the Old Mill District announced that it would postpone the 2023 Bend Brewfest. The second-largest craft beer festival in the Pacific Northwest has been put on pause until it can return to the Hayden Homes Amphitheater.Â
Bend Brewfest, held annually at the amphitheater before the COVID-19 pandemic, returned last spring on the east side of the Deschutes River in the Old Mill District as portions of the music venue were under construction. Still, the festival was successful in its new location and raised more than $15,000 for organizations such as Latino Community Association,Northwest Youth Discovery,Bend Fire Community Assistance Program, andOut Central Oregon.
Bend Brewfest event-goers celebrate the return of the beer festival in 2022 after a three-year hiatus. Photo courtesy Old Mill District.
Bend Brewfest 2023 Postponed
Its organizers have opted to pause the event until it can return to Hayden Homes Amphitheater, which is set for a third phase of upgrades this winter and spring.Â
âWe loved the turnout last year and are so thankful we could all get back together again,â said Bend Brewfest marketing director Beau Eastes. âBut to be able to put on the kind of brew festival guests want, we need to wait until it can return to the amphitheater.âÂ
Resuming after a three-year hiatus, the 2022 Bend Brewfest was held May 13-14 on the east side of the Deschutes River in the Old Mill District. More than 65 breweries and cideries poured approximately 100 different craft beers and ciders at the 2022 festival, which drew more than 10,000 beer lovers from across the Pacific Northwest. The 2022 Bend Brewfest was the first year the festival was staged in May after nearly two decades of being held in late August at the amphitheater.
Bend Brewfest 2022 was hosted along the Old Mill District riverwalk for the first time since its inception in 2002. Photo courtesy Old Mill District.
BendâsSpider City Brewing and its Deer Garden Hazy IPA won Best Local Beer at the 2022 Bend Brewfest. Great Notion Brewing, based out of Portland, took home top honors for a brewery outside of Central Oregon with its Bicycle Day fruited sour. And Eugeneâs Cyderish and its B.O.M.B. Cider â Boring Old Mango Brew â won the top prize for best cider.Â
Since its inception in 2002, the Bend Brewfest has given more than $100,000 to local non-profit organizations. While disappointing, weâre looking forward to the revival of Bend Brewfest when it can be hosted at Hayden Homes Amphitheater. The 2022 Bend Brewfest, while exciting, seemed to lack its usual vibe and flow. Last yearâs attendees likely recall the event feeling overcrowded as Pole Pedal Paddle participants shared the riverwalk with Bend Brewfest.
About 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 festivalâs X-Taps. Find more information at BendBrewfest.com.
Bend Concerts Food & Drink Guide 2022
One of the best perks of summer in Central Oregon is the summer concert series. Whether youâre floating the Deschutes river, shopping in the Old Mill District, or living nearby, thereâs a chance youâve heard some of the fun happening at Hayden Homes Amphitheater. While the headlining band might draw you to the show, you may wonder, âwhat are the food and drink options at the Bend concerts?â Here, we have your guide to eating, drinking, and being merry at the Hayden Homes Amphitheater Bend concerts in 2022.
Visiting Hayden Homes Amphitheater
Before heading to a Bend concert, itâs crucial to understand how the venue works. To start, we suggest reading the guidelines for attending a Live Nation show. Youâll want to note whatâs allowed at the venue (and whatâs not) and what to expect.
Because the venue is committed to sustainability, the following food and drink guidelines are followed as a part of their Take Note Initiative:
All single-use dishes, utensils, and cups are 100 percent compostable
Single-use plastic is banned, including water bottles
Ticket holders can bring in their own empty reusable water bottles
Free water filtration stations are set up throughout the venue
The âGreen Teamâ is on staff to efficiently sort recycling, waste, and compost bins
Hayden Homes Amphitheater is the home to Bend concerts.
Where to eat at the Bend concerts
Letâs be honestâone of the best perks of living in or visiting Central Oregon is the amazing food scene. So, you shouldnât have to compromise when it comes to attending a show! Luckily, many local food carts are available at Hayden Homes Amphitheater all summer.
Wild & Free Charcuterie
If youâre a wine and charcuterie kind of concertgoer, youâre going to love the menu at Wild & Free charcuterie. First of all, they offer an adorable 6â by 6â board with all of your favorite grazing board fixings. Whatâs more, theyâre now serving wine! Get a glass of Stoller Pinot Noir or Pinot Gris to pair with your pre-show grazing board or plates:
Board for Two: Board in a box served with meats, cheeses, dried and fresh fruits, chocolate-covered pretzels, crackers, and olives.
Caprese Salad: Roma tomatoes, truffle oil marinated mozzarella, and basil drizzled with a balsamic glaze.
Paulina Platter: Hummus served with carrots, cucumber, mixed peppers, and pita.
Newberry Cheesecake: Topped with fresh berries, chocolate drizzle, and dark chocolate nibs.
Local favorite, Tots!, joins Hayden Homes Amphitheater to feed concert-goers with their loaded tots. All tots are made from scratch, hand-scooped, and fried to perfection. Or, as Tots! would call them, âgolden balls of deliciousness.â
Loaded tots are available in four varieties:
Pork ân Fork: slow-cooked pulled pork, cotija cheese, guacamole, pickled red onion, chipotle aioli, and cilantro
Buffalo Style: classic buffalo sauce, bleu cheese crumbles, ranch drizzle, green onions, and more buffalo sauce
Cheeseburger Style: seasoned ground beef, beer cheese, tomato, white onion, romaine, and burger sauce
Bakâd ân Loaded: sour cream, beer cheese, bacon, and green onion
If you want just the tots, get them seasoned in either Nashville hot, salt and vinegar, honey BBQ, or sea salt. Jazz it up with a side of beer cheese, extra bacon, or extra sauce.
Corn dogs, hot dogs, and even vegan âdogsâ are the specialty at Alley Dogz. Theyâre widely known for their vegan Bratwurst, made with Beyond plant-based meat. However, if youâre in the mood for a ÂŒ-pound all-beef hot dog, try one of these combinations. All hot dogs are served on a Big Edâs artisan bun.
Alley Dog: Get it fully loaded with sauerkraut, relish, and pepperoncini.
Seattle Dog: Topped with cream cheese, bell peppers, and grilled onions.
Cowboy Dog: Drizzled with Sweet Baby Rayâs, BBQ sauce, jalapeños, and a slice of bacon (wow!).
Hand-dipped corn dogs are also available with Beyond meat. Try the âgrilled cheezusââserved on Big Edâs sourdough breadâwith Colby and Monterey Jack cheeses. Add jalapeños, ham, or bacon (or all three!) for a small charge. Further, the vegan grilled cheezus is available with Field Roast plant-based cheese. Donât forget a side of shoestring fries!
Dump City Dumplings is a popular spot for locals and returning visitors, serving up food for everyone from Bend concertgoers to Mt. Bachelor snow enthusiasts. All dumplings are available a la carte from the following assortments:
Chinese-Style Pork: slow-braised pork shoulder with carrots, cabbage, garlic, ginger, green onions, and cilantro, all tossed in soy, sesame, and rice vinegar
Pad Thai (Vegan): marinated tofu, roasted peanuts, and sauteed onions mixed with vermicelli noodles in a peanut chili soy sauce
Four Cheese Pizza: melted parmesan, Tillamook cheddar, queso fresco, and provolone cheese with a hint of their house-made marinara
Donât skip out on their awesome house-made sauces! Choose from cilantro sweet chili garlic, teriyaki, Sriracha sauce, Frankâs Red Hot, and coconut lime peanut. Even better, their ingredients are organically-sourced, using all local meats and veggies.
Bendâs traveling pizza cart has made a seasonal stop at Hayden Homes Amphitheater to serve hungry visitors. The Pizza Cart makes its own sourdough crust and secret sauce, all from scratch.
The Pizza Cartâs hand-rolled, thin-crust, wood-fired pizzas all come with red sauce and a blend of Mozzarella and Asiago cheeses, in addition to:
Cheese: Thatâs it!
Pepperoni: Yep, cheese and pepperoni
Maui Wowie: Canadian bacon, pineapple, and jalapeños
The Best: Fresh basil and roasted garlic
The Greek: Black olives, fresh spinach, red onion, and feta
Meat Lovers: House-seasoned sausage, pepperoni, and Canadian bacon
Gluten-free crusts and vegan cheeses are available for those with dietary restrictions. Now thatâs a win-win!
Satisfy your barbecue cravings with local favorite, Bigfoot Barbecue. If you want our suggestion, we canât recommend enough the BBQ tacos. Theyâre served on warm flour tortillas and topped with cilantro, provolone, pickled onions, and jalapeños.
Choose from:
Smoked chicken
Pulled pork
Beef chorizo
If you havenât yet tried a tortilla pie, hereâs your chance! They come topped with sour cream, cilantro, provolone, pickled onions, jalpeños, and your choice of brisket chili or four-bean chile verde. While youâre there, grab some street corn to enjoy alongside your meal. Make sure to grab extra napkins!
Regardless of your drink preference, Hayden Homes Amphitheater has a beverage to satisfy. From non-alcoholic to beer and wine, to cocktails made with local spirits, you’re sure to find a drink that fits your taste.
Non-alcoholic beverages
Whether you need a pick-me-up from Red Bull or prefer sparkling canned water from Liquid Death, youâre covered. Non-alcoholic beers are also available from the Bend concerts drink concession tent.
Additionally, local Altitude Beverages has their Sunset Vibes mocktails available in 12-ounce cans. These sparkling white tea mocktails have a functional blend of adaptogens (and relaxants like GABA and L-Theanine) for a naturally calming effect sans alcohol.
Premium cocktails
Choose your spirits from premium to library, then choose your mixerâlike refreshing lemonade. Or, opt for the Powerhouse margarita with your choice of lime or watermelon cucumber. So refreshing!
Margaritas, sparkling water, and hard seltzers.
Beer and wine
Of course, you can find many of your favorite Central Oregon beersâlike Deschutes Brewery and 10 Barrel Brewing Co.â at the Bend concerts. Additionally, you have the choice of domestic and premium brews.
Shoot your shot to win swag from Deschutes Brewery.
VIP Deschutes Deck
Take your summer nights at Hayden Homes Amphitheater to the next levelâliterally! The Deschutes Deck, otherwise known as the VIP deck, offers an elevated concert experience. With two levels of box seats, the Deschutes Deck allows concert-goers to relax and enjoy the show from above.
Deschutes Deck experience includes:
Designated box seats
Private lounge on both levels with bar tables, chairs, and sofas
Expanded food and drink menu
In-seat food and drink service
Lounge bar
VIP parking passes
Private VIP entrance
In-seat drink service on the Deschutes Deck.
When you arrive at one of the Bend concerts at Hayden Homes Amphitheater, you can skip the general admission lines and head straight to the VIP/ADA entrance, accessible from the VIP parking lot. From there, youâll show your ticket once to the VIP deck agent, who will provide you with a designated wristband.
Then, find your seats or get settled on one of the comfy chairs and sofas, and enjoy the experience! VIP ticket holders can access all of the general admission areas and amenities, including nearby food carts and drink stands.
However, there is a lounge menu from which you can order. In-seat service means no waiting in line, and everything is on one tab. Plus, the Deschutes Deck offers additional food and drink options exclusive to VIP ticket holders.
Enjoy sofa seating on the Deschutes Deck’s lounge.
Visiting Central Oregon
If youâre visiting Bend, Oregon, you might be wondering where and how to start planning. Check out some of these local resources to make your trip to Central Oregon and Hayden Homes Amphitheater a memorable one!
Whether you’re here for the weekend or call Central Oregon ‘home,’ don’t miss an opportunity to spend a summer night enjoying good food and great company at Hayden Homes Amphitheater!
