Bend, Oregon’s second-oldest brewery, Bend Brewing Company, is in the process of being sold! Longtime owner Wendi Day, daughter of co-founder Jerry Fox, confirmed that she is currently in the process of selling the brewpub business to another family here in Bend, and has provided the official press release about the sale and the new owners:

Bend Brewing Co. (BBC), established in 1995, and the second oldest brew pub in Bend, Oregon, is excited to share the news that a new family will take ownership beginning January 2016. For twenty years owner Wendi Day, along with husband Rob and father, Jerry Fox, established the brewery into a downtown Bend staple that has a rich tradition of serving award winning craft beer & exceptional, made to order, pub fare to families and friends alike.

“I am so proud of Bend Brewing Company, the people who I’ve worked with, the friends and families who have supported us over the years, and the recognition we have received in this amazing brewing community,” Wendi Day said.

The new owners, Packy and Leslie Deenihan, have been introduced to the BBC staff and both have been working closely with Wendi throughout the transition. “I am truly excited for this new opportunity and I would like to welcome Packy and Leslie to our BBC family,” added Day. Packy Deenihan is a graduate of Oregon State University and lived in Bend in 2008-09 before moving to Denver, Colorado, where he met his wife, Leslie. Leslie is a University of Colorado Boulder graduate and was also a member of their ski team. “We are thrilled to be taking over such a well respected & award winning brewery” said Packy Deenihan, and “we are especially impressed by the quality of staff at BBC and hope they all stay with us in this new chapter.”

Initially, Packy and Leslie will be focused on continuing to serve the loyal patrons of Bend Brewing Company. Going forward, they believe there is an opportunity to expand production & distribution of Bend Brewing Co.’s beer as well as having a stronger marketing and social media presence. Packy’s Dad, Ed, will also have a role at BBC, primarily focused on promoting the BBC brand and beer outside of Bend. Don’t expect too much change, though, the Deenihan’s are particularly focused on carrying on the tradition and culture that has made BBC so great 20 years later! See you at BBC!

The sale won’t be finalized until the first of the new year, and both Day and head brewer Ian Larkin assure me nothing will change with the brewpub with the exception of growth and needed improvements made to the building itself. And expanding the presence all around—online and off—is a great move considering the exceptional quality of the beer being brewed there—especially with their beers not being widely available outside of Central Oregon.

Bend Brewing opened in 1995, and Day was originally the assistant manager, hired by Fox and co-founder Dave Hill. She purchased Bend Brewing from Fox and Hill in 2000, with partner Terry Standly, the kitchen manager. (Standly retired in 2011.) Day hired brewer Tonya Cornett in 2002 who would be instrumental in putting BBC on a national stage with her award-winning beers. BBC celebrated their 20th anniversary earlier this year with a big block party and special release beers.

You can find more Bend Brewing Company history over on the site for my book, Bend Beer, here.