Starting today marks the 8th annual Bend Brewfest here in Bend, and this year it looks to be the biggest one yet: it’s spread out over three days (Thursday through Saturday) and by my count has 42 breweries represented (technically, 41 breweries and the local Central Oregon Homebrewers who have a collaboration beer with Silver Moon pouring) pouring a total of 96 beers(!). (There is also wine and cider available.)

It’s held at the Les Schwab Amphitheater and follows the conventional Brewfest pricing: free admission but the required souvenir mug costs $5, and tokens (for tastings) are $1 each. The hours are from 3pm to 11pm Thursday and Friday, and from noon until 11pm on Saturday; children will be allowed until 7pm each day.

Unfortunately, I won’t be attending this year, and I’ll be at the Beer Bloggers Conference in Portland (which you already know as I’ve been going on about it quite a lot recently). But if you’re around Bend these next few days, swing by and check it out—it should be really good this year and the weather will be perfect.

If you’re looking for some ideas on what to try while there, I would recommend:

• Bend Brewing Ching Ching (on X-Tap)
• Double Mountain Kolsch and Hop Lava
• Caldera Vas Deferens
• Central Oregon Homebrewers Oregon Export Lager
• Deschutes Chainbreaker (on X-Tap)
• Elysian Night Owl Pumpkin Ale
• Maui Brewing Mana Wheat
• Lompoc Sour Cherry Wheat (on X-Tap)

Of course there are a lot more choices and a lot of them will be very good; it’s hard to go wrong with the spectrum of beers represented this year.