Prineville Oregon Beer-Solstice Brewing Company

Best in Brew--Prineville

This author has lived in Prineville for more than 8 years. As small towns go, we're really pretty lucky to have quite a few places to go wet our whistle. However, being a self proclaimed city slicker, it would be dishonest to say my beer-loving husband and I hadn't missed the luxury of having brewpubs we could easily visit from time to time.

Don't get me wrong--Central Oregon's the place to be if you love beer. The area now boasts at least 13 breweries and some of the nation's best brew comes from our area. But when it's cold and snowing outside, no one wants to get in their car and drive 30-60 minutes to a brewery to sample some of their finest ales.

That's where Solstice Brewing Company comes in. Finally arriving in October 2009, on a crest of beer foam, Prineville finally has its very own brewery and as of late 2012, owner Joe Barker can also now proudly offer his very own "hoppy" creations.

ADDRESS:

Solstice Brewing Company
234 N. Main Street
Prineville, OR

PHONE: 514.233.0883.

Like Solstice on Facebook for specials and what's happening.

Food Style: American

Price Range: Low to moderate $-$$

• Hours:
  Mon-Thurs: 11:30 a.m.-9:00 p.m.
  Friday: 11:30 a.m.-10:00 p.m.
  Sat/Sun: 11:30 a.m.-9:00 p.m.
  
  
• Serving:
  Lunch
  Dinner
  Libations
  
  
• Services:
  Kid friendly--awesome play area
  Reservations taken
  Outdoor seating
  Groups welcome
  Great place for families
  Dine in or take out
  Catering available
  Rents out for events
  Supports local vendors like Cada Dia Cheese, Breese Beef and Dancing Cow Farm Displays art and photography by local artists

Parking: Surrounding streets & back parking lot

Entertainment: Music Wednesdays after 6:00 p.m.; seasonal events all family oriented

Dress: Casual

Entertainment Nearby: Bowman Museum on one side and the Pine Theater on the other

Got Beer?

We've been going to Solstice since it opened. That was long before there were brews being made on the premises.

Recently though, we've had occasion to sample all the new arrivals from Prineville's taps,both in the pub and at home. We took growlers home to share with family and friends over the holidays and everyone gave Joe two thumbs up.

Some of the latest offerings:

• Prinetucky Pale Ale (this author's favorite)
• Last Day IPA (my husband's favorite)
• Goat Roper Stout (didn't try it but love the name--Bob enjoyed it)
• Copper Ale (also a great choice in my book)

Solstice offers many regional tap beers that change a bit with the season. One of this author's favorites that seems to be always available is the Lost Coast Tangerine Wheat beer. Akin to a hefeweizen, it goes down easily with pastas or salads.

Belly Up to the Bar

If you're not pulling family and friends along with you into the restaurant for dinner, have a seat at the bar.

It's a nice spot to sit and watch sports or chat it up with the other folks. The atmosphere is always warm and friendly and you never know who you'll run into!

Lots of people come back often for the beer at Solstice but just as many return for the delicious comfort type food that comes out of the kitchen.

Happiness is a Good Beer

Nothing makes a beer connoisseur happier than a good beer. You can find that in abundance at Solstice.

You can also enjoy mixed drinks and wine but definitely beer is the most popular drink at this establishment.

Food Fare at Solstice Brewing Company

Much as this author loves the beer at Solstice, we also go there often for the food. Not only is there more than enough to choose from, but the food is well prepared and in the many times visiting, I can honestly say we've never had a bad meal.

What strikes me as most remarkable is that the food is never over-spiced, over-priced or salted to death.

For what you get, this is good food at reasonable prices. Most of the time, I walk away with leftovers for lunch the next day.

Try some of these tempting entrees at Solstice

Sink your teeth into one of several delicious Solstice burgers.

Other great choices on a bun:

• Bleu Burger
• Steins Pillar Burger
• Veggie Burger
• Mushroom Swiss Burger

Looking for something different on a bun?

• Try the German sausage with sauerkraut on a bun with sweet potato tater tots.

Or try one of their great sandwiches:

• BLT
• Crooked Club Turkey with aioli
• Open Faced Patty Melt
• Smoked Turkey Rueben
• Grilled Chicken Bacon

Try a variety of salads at Solstice

Salads are always a wise choice at the brewery. This is one of our favorites, the Chicken Taco Salad.

Other favorites:

• Fruit and Salad Plate
• Cobb Salad
• Caesar Salad

Try great pasta favorites or standard fare at the brewery

Solstice offers several delicious pasta dishes as well. Here's one of this author's favorites, the Tuscan Pasta Salad with farfalle and sun-dried tomatoes.

Other pasta favorites:

• Pasta Carbinara
• Chicken Bacon Mushroom Pasta

Yummy old standards like:

• Fish and Chips--catch of the day
• Chicken Wings
• Onion Rings
• Irish Smothered Nacho Fries

Don't forget the daily specials--this author has enjoyed a wonderfully delicious steak and several different pasta specials, all melt-in-your mouth delish~!

Stop in at Solstice for Happy Hour

Happy Hour is a great way to dine Monday through Friday if you just want to pop in for a brew and a snack.

• It's hard to argue with sweet potato tater tots.
  
  
• The Irish version of nachos is also a favorite of most guys I know~!
  
  
• Try the fabulous charcuterie plate for a sampling of local fine cheeses and meats
  
  
• Hummus and veggies--always a good healthy choice to go with your beer

Family Dining at Solstice Brewing Company

This restaurant is the best in town for families. It might even be one of the top in all of Central Oregon for people with kids. It's actually a place where people are encouraged to bring their kids, no matter what age.

More often than not, whenever we visit for a beer or some food, there's always kids in the play area. It can vary from one to many. On any given day, different age groups can be found in this designated fun zone from toddler to preschoolers to grade school age.

Tables are situated close to the action so parents can keep an eye on energetic little ones who finish their food and are tired of sitting still.

Too old for the play area? There are some great board games available at the check-in desk so everyone has something to do while family and friends talk.

For the sports minded, there's of course aTV so no matter what, you won't miss the "big game."

On Wednesdays, you can also come enjoy music while sipping and chatting. At the moment, bluegrass is featured. There are some really talented folks providing background music and you just might find yourself staying longer than you originally planned.

Solstice provides a relaxed, family type environment and as soon as you hit the door, you feel like you've found a little home away from home...without the muss and fuss of cooking!

I can't wait to bring my new little grandson here one day and watch him have some fun in the play zone.

Kids love the food at Solstice

• Veggie plate
• Pasta and cheese
• Peanut butter and jelly sandwiches
• Chicken tenders
• Grilled cheese
• Kid burgers and fries
• Lemonade and cranberry drinks

After dinner, if you and the kids are hankering for dessert, stop in at the Prineville Goody's, home to homemade ice cream, toppings, fudge and chocolates.

Fill Your Growlers at Solstice

Don't forget to bring your growler back for a refill.

You can purchase Joe's tap brews to take home in a growler or you can also get a growler full of other beers he has on tap.

Prices vary according to the beer and the tap. You can also bring other brewpub growlers in to be filled rather than purchasing new ones.

This is a great way to have beer for get-togethers. Over the holidays, we filled and refilled our growlers for entertaining and everyone loved the fresh brew.

Remember that once opened, you'll need to drink it within about a day or two max to keep it from going flat. I know...I can hear your pain and you saying "ah shucks...well if I HAVE to."

Buy Solstice Brewing Company Gear

You can also purchase sweatshirts, T-shirts and hats at the Prineville brewery.

• Hoodies run $30
• T-shirts run $19.95
• Hats $12