CNN ranks Bend 7th-best ‘beer town’ in U.S.

Portland is the nation’s best “beer town,” according to a new CNN ranking, but Bend isn’t too far behind, picked as No. 7 in the nation.

CNN said its rankings of the “top eight cities in America for beer explorers” scored each city on a 1-10 scale for its history, breweries, bars and events.

While America’s beer history goes back to the colonies, the network noted that some cities “have begun to take beer personally, innovating its craft and consumption and throwing festivals to honor the finest ales and lagers — creating a blueprint for the rest of the country to follow.”

“Still others have been doing this all along,” they added.

In giving the crown to Portland, CNN said the Rose City “boasts more breweries (52) than any city in the world.”

Bend, which CNN said has “one brewery for every 9,111 people,” got only a 5 of 10 score for the history element but scored 8 of 10 for breweries, bars and events.

The article noted that the number of breweries “is constantly changing, with newcomers like Crux Fermentation Project and Worthy Brewing Company recently fattening Bend’s ranks.”

CNN saluted Deschutes as “the godfather of local craft brewing, which recently expanded its flagship location.”

To see what else they had to say about Bend and Portland — and who else made the list — check out their story at: http://www.cnn.com/2013/05/06/travel/usa-beer-towns/index.html

And in coincidental timing, Deschutes Brewery announced Tuesday it’s expanding into yet another Midwest state — Iowa — its 21st state, in its 25th year.

Here’s their announcement::

Deschutes Brewery announced Tues day that its craft beers will be available in Iowa starting this summer.

The Oregon-based brewery will be working with Johnson Brothers of Iowa, one of the largest alcoholic beverage distributors in the state. The company is known for its outstanding service, recognized in recent years as “Supplier of the Year” by the Iowa Restaurant Association and the Iowa Grocery Industry Association.

“We are thrilled to be bringing one of America’s great craft breweries into the State of Iowa,” said Lyle Stutzman, President of Johnson Brothers of Iowa. “We look forward to a long and successful partnership with Deschutes.”

Beer is slated to be available to Iowans in late July, with a formal launch planned for the fall that will include special tastings and other events in cities around the state. Initially, Deschutes Brewery will be offering Mirror Pond Pale Ale, Black Butte Porter, the nation’s number one selling craft porter, Chainbreaker White IPA, and its seasonal, Twilight Summer Ale. The beers will be available in six-packs and draft.

Early this year, Deschutes Brewery started distributing in the state of Illinois, and currently sells beer in Missouri and Minnesota. Iowa rounds out the region. Stacy Denbow, expansion manager for Deschutes Brewery, said, “After Iowa’s revised state laws, we’ve seen an impressive craft beer scene emerge that we’re excited to soon be a part of. We also really appreciated seeing the level of excitement and execution displayed by Johnson Bros.”

Deschutes Brewery added five new 1,300 barrel fermentation tanks in 2012 to increase capacity at its Oregon brewing headquarters, and plans to add five more tanks this month. When all the new tanks are online, the brewery will have the capacity to brew more than 460,000 barrels annually to fill demand in its expanding distribution footprint.

About Deschutes Brewery
Celebrating its 25th anniversary this year, Deschutes Brewery began as a brew pub in downtown Bend, Oregon and is known for such brands as Black Butte Porter, its flagship brew and the nation’s number one selling craft porter, and the popular Mirror Pond Pale Ale. In addition to its original Bend pub, this family and employee-owned brewery opened a second pub in Portland’s Pearl District in 2008. The company’s main brewing facility is located on the banks of the Deschutes River and produces over 250,000 barrels of beer annually for distribution in 20 states and two provinces. To find out more, visit www.DeschutesBrewery.com .

About Johnson Brothers
Starting in 1985 in the state of Iowa, Johnson Brothers is a family-owned wine, spirits, beer and non-alcoholic beverages distributor with headquarters in St Paul, Minnesota. Johnson Brothers has been providing world class service to customers throughout the United States since 1953.