Bend’s big beer boom brews new jobs

Cities all over Oregon are hearing good news from local brewers, that’s according to report by the Oregon Employment Department.

Jobs in the brewing industry across Oregon have increased 30 percent since 2007. Compare that to a loss of 6 percent in overall employment statewide.

The beer business is booming here in Central Oregon, and that means more than just a great selection for beer lovers.

An interesting aspect from the report is that the growth in employment isn’t just from the breweries and pubs, but from other ventures.

These include some businesses here that sell silicone pint glasses called Sillipints and give beer tours via a Cycle Pub.

“We have a pint glass,” said Sillipint founder Rick Fredland. “We have a shot glass, and they are virtuals of a natural shot glass and pint glass.”

Fredland says the concept behind the drink-ware is simple.

“Glass has a problem — it breaks,” Fredland said. “Ours just don’t break.”

Dishwasher-, microwave- and freezer safe, the silicone cups have been a huge success.

“Bend accepts what we do because of the beer culture,” Fredland said.

There’s no doubting the culture of beer in our area: There are nearly 20 breweries and counting.

And according to a new jobs report, they employed 513 people last year. That’s the third-highest tally out of the seven Oregon regions.

The report, written by Carolyn Eagan from the Oregon Employment Department, explains the importance of the brewing industry to job creation for our area.

From 2010 to 2011, the industry added 330 more jobs across the state.

The beer industry here has greatly helped one business.

“Cycle Pub is really built on our affection for craft beer here in Bend,” said Cycle Pub owner James Watt. “But also largely on our affection for outdoor recreation, outdoor activities, social activities and at the core, cycling in any form.”

Watts says there is a ripple effect because of the industry.

“There’s a lot of growing and ingredients that are grown outside of the area, and that certainly provides jobs and incomes,” Watts said.

Already, right here in Bend there is an effect.

“The direct impact and the direct job creation from the breweries themselves is somewhat quantifiable,” Watts said. “I think what will be interesting to track is all these peripheral businesses that are springing up to support it.”

The report also says we hold the “gold medal” for having the highest number of brew pubs and brewery jobs per capita.

Central Oregon has a brewery for for every 11,857 people, and there is one beer industry job for every 393 people.

To read the full report, log onto: http://www.qualityinfo.org/olmisj/ArticleReader?itemid=00008319