Bend grocery gets in on the growler scene

Ray’s Food Place in Bend hopes to draw more customers in with a new “growler room inside the store, part of a growing interest in the 64-ounce (half-gallon) way to buy the region’s beers.

The High Desert Growler Room is located behind the wine selection of the store, in an area that a decade or so ago housed the region’s first in-grocery state liquor store.

The room opened up on Friday, and store officials say the response has been good so far.

Inside the room, you will find all-local beer from 15 rotating taps.

It costs $9.99 for a refill or $14.99 for a growler, in case you don’t have one, plus a fill of your choice of beer.

“On the weekends right now we are doing tastings, so if you are not sure of a beer before you buy it, you can come in and sample the beer,” Kimberli Utt, assistant manager for the store, said Sunday. “Bring your own growler in, and if not then we have lots here on hand also that you can purchase and fill.”

You can choose beers from Deschutes, Worthy, Cascade Lakes, Good Life, 10 Barrel, Boneyard and Three Creeks.

The room is open Sunday through Thursday from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Friday and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.