From German lagers to Thai tea and vermouth, local flights reward curiosity one sip at a time.

When people see a wall of taps, a deep wine list or a menu of unfamiliar teas, a feeling of panic may set in. Many fall back on ordering the usual, but what if imbibers saw this more as an opportunity to explore? A growing number of Bend’s breweries, wine bars and restaurants are encouraging experimentation through beverage flights. Our senses of taste and smell are powerful ways to experience the world around us. Sampling beverages side by side isn’t an indulgence—it sharpens the palate and helps people understand what they like. Curated tastings of multiple beverages make exploration approachable, whether you’re new to craft beer or a seasoned wine enthusiast.

Try German Beer Flights at Van Henion Brewing

Since opening in 2021, Van Henion Brewing(opens in new tab) has built its reputation around traditional German beer styles. Offerings such as an IPA and a Pilsner might feel familiar, while Weissbier (an often unfiltered German-style ale), Schwarzbier (German for black beer), and Altbier (a cold-fermented amber beer with malty notes) are less understood. Van Henion’s choose-your-own flight of four beers makes it easy for visitors to get outside their comfort zone. “Flights are a very important thing for any brewery to have in order to offer the customer a full experience of what we do,” said founding brewer Mark Henion.

In the tasting room with velvet wallpaper, leather chairs and cuckoo clocks, visitors might sample the light-blond and refreshing German Kölsch-Style Ale next to a bright, medium-bodied Helles Lager to discover the nuances.

Learn About Wine and Vermouth at FERM & Fare

Every flight is designed as both a tasting and a lesson at downtown Bend’s FERM & fare. “Flights create a rapid learning environment that can leave the guest with confidence when approaching a foreign wine list at a restaurant or while perusing the shelves at their local boutique wine shop,” said owner and Advanced Sommelier Dave Bodi. The bar offers preset flights, typically three 2.5-ounce pours, based on special bottles Bodi wants to share, but most flights are built by talking with the guest about what they like. That could mean a flight of bubbles, different rosés or pinot noir, or a flight that includes one of each. “The guest is growing their palate, and they get to talk about the wines as well,” said Bodi. “If you enjoy it, that’s what matters.”

Even tasting similar wines from different producers can help drinkers understand terroir and the differences between producers. As Bodi explained, they share a through line, but the variations create different experiences. A guest might taste a Sancerre, a sauvignon blanc from a region in France, alongside a New Zealand sauvignon blanc from Marlborough, discovering how the former emphasizes crisp green apple and lime while the latter leans into tropical fruit.

Bodi has also introduced vermouth flights. Essentially fortified wine infused with herbs and botanicals, it’s often enjoyed in martinis and Manhattans, but it’s beloved as an aperitif in its own right in countries like Italy and Spain. “It’s sweet and bitter and so interesting,” said Bodi, who hopes all guests leave feeling inspired to try new flavors.

Sample a Non-Alcoholic Thai Tea Flight at Sen Thai Noodles & Hot Pot

On the Deschutes River downtown, Sen Thai [read more about their Sen Thai Brunch too] shows tasting flights without alcohol can be educational and enjoyable too. The restaurant’s Thai Tea Flight includes four tea variations: creamy Thai tea with milk, tea with a lime juice twist, a tea flavored with bright green matcha, and another with ube, a bright yam native to the Philippines that is often used in desserts. While the teas could be ordered individually, a flight is a low-stakes way to move past indecision without remorse, says Sen co-owner Bua Karoon. “For someone who doesn’t know much about Thai tea, the flight removes a lot of the guesswork,” said Karoon. “Our tea flights are really for anyone who is curious.”

Why Tasting Flights Can Help Broaden Your Palate

A drink can simply be just that, a drink, or it can be something that provokes deeper thought. When people taste beverages side by side, they begin to understand nuance and preference, which gives imbibers more control. “A flight gives guests the opportunity to discover those differences for themselves and find something they truly enjoy,” said Karoon. For anyone looking to broaden their palate, a tasting flight may be the easiest ticket to exploring the world without ever leaving the barstool.

Keep reading more about our local restaurant scene.