While Ben Franklin didn’t actually say “beer is proof that God loves us and wants us to be happy,” the quote is certainly associated with him. And from a beer-drinker’s perspective, who doesn’t share that sentiment?
Sunriver Brewing Co. certainly does, one delicious and thoughtfully brewed pint at a time.
Located in Sunriver, Oregon, at the edge of the high desert and the Cascade Mountains, Sunriver Brewing has carved out a reputation built on fundamentals rather than flash. This is a brewery shaped by its surroundings, guided by craft and grounded in a Pacific Northwest philosophy that values authenticity over trend chasing.
At the center of it all is water.
Here, water isn’t just an ingredient; it’s the foundation. Sourced from central Oregon snowmelt and naturally filtered through ancient lava flows, the brewery’s water arrives remarkably clean and balanced. The mineral composition is so well-suited to brewing that it requires minimal manipulation, allowing the beer to speak clearly and honestly.
Head Brewer Patrick Raasch, and Founding Brewer and Director of Brewing Operations, Brett Thomas, take immense pride in this natural advantage, viewing it as both a responsibility and a creative gift. “We’re blessed with a relatively pure source of water,” Thomas says. “Sunriver’s well system is high-flowing, with natural filtration, and is basically a collection of waters from the Upper Deschutes watershed.”
But the advantages go beyond that — the properties of the water allows Sunriver’s brewers to be incredibly flexible in what they create. “It’s quite neutral from the faucet – great for making pale lagers and pilsners,” says Thomas. “Its neutrality gives us the ability to alter the mineral profile and mimic some of the great brewing waters from across the globe; London, Dublin, Vienna — wherever really.”
Because the water arrives already refined by nature, Raasch can focus less on correction and more on expression, highlighting hops, malt character and fermentation with precision rather than excess.
That purity carries through to ingredient sourcing. Sunriver Brewing leans heavily into high-quality hops, including Yakima-grown varieties, Citra, Cryo hops and select New Zealand cultivars. Rather than overpowering beers with intensity for intensity’s sake, Raasch’s approach is balanced and intentional, allowing each ingredient to earn its place.
It’s a philosophy rooted in respect for the process, the ingredients and the drinker.
Raasch’s brewing journey began long before he stepped into the role of head brewer nearly a decade ago. His earliest inspiration came from homebrewing sessions with his father, crafting hop-forward IPAs and robust stouts on nights and weekends. Those formative experiences sparked a curiosity that grew into formal education, including a business degree and advanced brewing theory training at the Chicago-based Siebel Institute of Technology.
That blend of creativity, technical skill and operational understanding now defines Sunriver Brewing’s identity. It’s a brewery that embraces innovation while staying firmly rooted in consistency; a hallmark of Pacific Northwest brewing culture.
Sunriver Brewing’s thoughtful approach translated into major recognition in 2025 — including eight medals in Sip Magazine’s 2025 Best of the Northwest competition. From crisp lagers and hop-forward IPAs to barrel-aged and mixed-culture offerings, the awards highlight Sunriver Brewing’s refusal to be boxed into a single identity.
“Our portfolio is as diverse as Oregon itself — the state has everything from snow-capped mountains to beaches, deserts and temperate rainforests,” says Thomas “Our product line follows this same path — we brew everything from 4% ABV light lagers to 14% ABV barrel-aged stout and everything in between, including hard seltzer and CBD bevs.”
What truly sets Sunriver Brewing apart is its ability to embody the Pacific Northwest without leaning on clichés. Raasch avoids a one-size-fits-all brewing mentality, choosing instead to let environment, seasonality and curiosity guide decisions.
When asked about the future, Raasch’s vision is refreshingly measured. Rather than aggressive expansion or trend-driven pivots, his focus remains on sustainability, both in ingredient sourcing and business operations.
The goal isn’t to be everywhere. It’s to remain excellent, consistent and true to what has already earned Sunriver Brewing its reputation.
In an industry increasingly shaped by consolidation and speed, Sunriver Brewing stands as a reminder that patience, place, and purpose still matter. Rooted in exceptional water, elevated by skilled brewing, and supported by community, it continues to prove that some of the best beers in Oregon come from staying exactly where you are, and doing it right.
