This was our first year to hit Oktoberfest in downtown Bend. I read the advertised menu of food and drinks served and had high hopes for some cheap-yet-scrumptious representations of Bend’s best restaurants.
Alas, The Blacksmith Restaurant bowed out, as did Bend Brewing Co.
We went for the smoky ham and sausage stew with sauerkraut from Merenda Restaurant & Wine Bar. It was salty and tangy and delishious with my Oktoberfest beer.
Stew and beer at Bend Oktoberfest 2008
With our admission, the evening already cost us $12, so we decided to finish the night at Deschutes Brewery and Public House, where we got even cheaper Oktoberfest beer, French onion soup and Buffalo wings. This was my first experience with Deschutes’ Buffalo wings and my lips were burning…so good! But next time, I hope they bring us blue cheese instead of ranch for dipping.
My boyfriend also bought a couple special microbrews that look promising. We watched some football, then walked to Goody’s for candy. It was a good night.
Deschutes Brewery
Seasoned to Taste 