Bend Brewfest raises more than $13,000 for local charities

Pints have been raised, toasts have been made and the 2014 Bend Brewfest, which was held in August, is all wrapped up. A fundraiser for local charities, this annual event raised more than $13,000 for three non-profit groups based in Central Oregon. New beneficiary Deschutes River Conservancy, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Oregon and Neighbor Impact each received one-third of funds raised at the festival for a total of $4,600 for each.

“Bend Brewfest is a wonderful celebration of craft beer, but beyond that, everyone who attends is supporting important services in our community,” said Marney Smith, director of the Bend Brewfest. “We are so pleased to be able to give back to our charities this year in a significant way and thank them for all they do to make Bend an even better place to live and play.”

Deschutes River Conservancy will be using the donation to support its “Beer and The River We Love” program, which helps restore streamflow and improve water quality in the Deschutes Basin. Neighbor Impact will use the funds to further its mission of helping families access skills for success, family services, financial assistance, food, housing, heat and energy assistance. Long-time beneficiary of the annual event, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Oregon, will use the donation to continue its important mentoring programs for area youth.

This year’s festival featured the largest number of breweries ever, tipping the scales at more than 60 breweries pouring 170 delicious craft beers that attendees sampled over the course of the three-day festival. This year’s festival also featured an expanded selection of hard-to-find, limited-release “X-Tap” beers from participating breweries, three cider houses, two meaderies and a winery. The next Bend Brewfest will be held in August 2015, with a formal announcement next spring detailing featured breweries.