The recent formation of the Central Oregon Brewers Guild (COBG) provides a foundation Central Oregon Craft Brewing community. The COBG was financed, in part, by a Region Economic Impact Grant from the U.S. Department of Labor provided through The Oregon Consortium and Oregon Workforce Alliance. The existing Craft Brewing culture in Central Oregon is one of the primary reasons that this region is one of the industries fastest growing communities in the nation.
Garrett Wales, COBG President and partner of 10 Barrel Brewing Company, says that the COBG will serve as the Central Oregon voice for the industry, providing local representation, education, promotion and collaboration. The Guild is set up to advocate for local brewers’ needs and establish positive partnerships with industry leaders, community members, retailers and legislators. The brewers of Central Oregon will continue to support the Oregon Brewers Guild while building the local organization to help cultivate and strengthen the region’s craft beer culture.
Along with serving as a champion for the business of craft brewing in Central Oregon, Wales explained that the Guild will focus on outreach and education moving forward.
Other plans for COBG include a comprehensive Central Oregon brewers’ survey to assess the impact of the brewing industry on the local economy and identify opportunities for growth and improvement. The Guild is also exploring a partnership with Central Oregon Community College to create a brewer certification program that would support continued industry growth and workforce development in the region.
“We have a unique culture of collaboration, admiration and support among the brewers here in Central Oregon,” said Wales. “We’ve created a craft beer community that is based on quality and a true passion for the art of brewing. We celebrate each other’s successes and are working together to make Central Oregon a destination for high quality craft beer,” he added.
This nonprofit professional advocacy organization currently includes existing and soon to be operational breweries in the region.
- 10 Barrel Brewing
- Bend Brewing Co.
- Boneyard Brewing
- Cascade Lakes Brewing
- Crux Fermentation Project
- Deschutes Brewery
- Good Life Brewing Company
- McMenamins Old St. Francis School
- Silver Moon Brewing
- Three Creeks Brewing
- Brew Werks
- Worthy Brewing
