Deschutes Brewery offers virtual reality tour of Black Butte

Bend’s most famous brewery is going virtual. Deschutes Brewery released a new virtual reality experience Wednesday for its 28th anniversary.

The 3D film will allow viewers to experience special places in Central Oregon — the home of Deschutes’ beer — without ever having to leave their home.

The first film is a 3D virtual tour of Black Butte, the namesake of Deschutes’ Black Butte Porter.

“Black Butte is the flagship beer. It’s the one that we brewed first, 28 years ago, and still today its one of our top selling beers,” said Digital Marketing Manager Jason Randles.

Randles said the tour will help give consumers a little history behind the beer they’re drinking.

“We sell beer in 28 states and different countries around the world. Unless you’re from Oregon, you don’t even know what a butte is or how to pronounce it,” Randles said.

Deschutes Brewery officials said they wanted to show people the beautiful Oregon landmarks the beers are named after. They hope that by taking customers on a virtual tour, they will better connect with the brand.

The film was created by Bend creative agency Impossible Engine. Owner Scott Oliphant said the film took 12 cameras and GoPros, and a lot of trial and error.

“You basically shoot in all directions with 12 different cameras or 14 different cameras that we use. So you shoot up, down, left, right — every single direction that you can do,” Oliphant said.

Deschutes Brewery said it’s the first brewery in Oregon to offer a virtual reality experience. The company will soon release a Mirror Pond tour honoring its Mirror Pond Pale Ale.

You can view the virtual film on Deschutes Breweries YouTube or Facebook page, or visit https://www.deschutesbrewery.com/