It’s been a little while since I’ve done a news roundup for my local breweries, so here’s the latest—some of which I’ve covered in my Oregon beer news posts or elsewhere. And some is new!

Deschutes Brewery is progressing on multiple fronts as usual—one of the largest craft breweries in the country is bound to have a lot going on, of course—but there are two notable items to report. The first, and the biggest, is that the brewery is building its own wastewater treatment plant here in Bend. This is important, especially in a small town where Deschutes is the largest water consumer.

Deschutes Brewery plans to invest $11.2 million in a wastewater-treatment facility at its headquarters, instead of sending some of the water to the city for treatment and the rest to nearby farmlands for irrigation.

When operational, the new plant at the brewery will be able to process more than 150,000 gallons of wastewater per day.

The on-site treatment facility, which brewery officials refer to as “a digester,” is expected to be complete by the end of 2018. It is being designed to also generate electricity for the brewery’s operation. Methane gas from the facility will be fed into an engine that burns the gas, turns a generator and makes electricity. The heat coming off the engine would heat the water used in the brewing operation.

The other news is Deschutes’ impending launch into North Carolina, starting this month. “Fans in the Tar Heel State will first be able to enjoy Fresh Squeezed IPA, Black Butte Porter, Pacific Wonderland Lager and Hop Slice Summer Ale on draft starting [in June]. In August, six-packs will begin to hit shelves across the state including all of the above beers, plus our popular variety 12-pack.”

Monkless Belgian Ales has expanded and opened an expanded tap room in their northeast Bend location. They’ve also posted their new summer hours which just started last week:

Monday: 2pm-6pm
Tuesday: 2pm-6pm
Wednesday: 2pm-6pm
Thursday: 2pm-6pm
Food Truck Friday: 12pm-8pm
NEW: Food Truck Saturday: 1pm-7pm

Oblivion Brewing also just opened a new tasting room at their northeast Bend brewery (at 63027 Plateau Drive, suite #4)—the first such endeavor since their deal with their Galveston fell through. Oblivion just won the People’s Choice favorite beer at the Central Oregon Beer Week SMaSH Fest last weekend, so it’s time to stop by to check out what’s on tap!

Rat Hole Brewing announced earlier this month that they were going through some major changes—primarily that they would no longer be brewing beer!

Rat Hole Brewing is going through some changes! We will no longer be brewing our own beer but concentration on bringing you a wide variety of beers on tap and in the cooler. Because of all the new changes we thought we should change our name!

They solicited suggestions from the public for a new name, and on May 19 announced it:

JIM MITCHELL is the winner of the $150 dollars and lifer mug.
Jim’s name was 1 of 5 names chosen and the community voted!
Camp Abbot Tap House won for best name.

Camp Abbot was a U.S. Army training center built during World War II, on the location that Sunriver Resort exists today. Needless to say, with Rat Hole no longer brewing I will be removing them from the “active” breweries column on the site.

Bend Brewing Company is hard at work building out the adjacent lot they purchased a year ago into their new patio and beer garden space—and they are planning the grand opening party for June 17.

BBC is throwing a huge bash for the grand reopening of the new patio & outdoor area PLUS releasing the new Summer beer Trail Love Pale Ale!! We’re partnering with Central Oregon Trail Alliance (COTA) and $1 from each Trail Love pint will be donated. Live music by Scribbled Rhymes and Juniper & Gin. Come scope out your new go-to Summer hangout right on Mirror Pond!! Dog & Family friendly!

Speaking of building (or in this case, remodeling), Silver Moon Brewing has been hard at work doing a complete gut-and-remodel of their pub space. The pub closed on May 2 and they got right to work; they plan to re-open this month if all goes well.

June is also F* CANCER month at Silver Moon:

JUNE IS F* CANCER MONTH! Starting June 1st, you’ll be able to find these newly designed F*CANCER IPA 22oz bottles at our partner locations throughout Oregon & Washington! $1 of EVERY BOTTLE SOLD will be donated directly to the American Cancer Society Great Western Region.

Select locations will be holding special fundraisers in partnership with your local ACS/Relay for Life! For a full list of our F*CANCER partner locations & where these fundraisers will be held, see below!

http://www.silvermoonbrewing.com/f-cancer/

10 Barrel Brewing officially opened up their new eastside pub, located at their production brewery in northeast Bend. More accurately, located in the new annex building to the brewery, where packaging will take place, along with the administrative offices. I’d gotten a sneak preview of the new pub and facility a few weeks ago for their 10th anniversary party and will get some pictures posted soon.

The Ale Apothecary has opened their new tasting room this month over on Bend’s west side (near GoodLife Brewing), for which I also got a sneak preview and have photos to share. (Hint: And an article in next week’s local newspaper column!) It’s a terrific new space, exactly what’s been needed, and though it’s only open two days a week right now, I predict it’s going to be hugely popular going into the summer. This will be one of the must-visit beer stops in Bend.