Deschutes Brewery Recognized As Great Place to Work

BEND, Ore. — Deschutes Brewery today was named to Outside Magazine’s sixth annual “Best Places to Work” list. The brewery, which is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year, was included in the list of the 100 best companies to work for in the nation. The full list of the top- performing small, medium, and large companies will be published online today at OutsideOnline.com/bestplacestowork.
Erin Rankin, executive assistant and donation coordinator for the brewery, said, “I consider myself extremely lucky to work for a company that produces such amazing quality craft beer, cultivates a healthy work-life balance, and opens up to all employees not only financial information but the strategic plans as well. I am proud to be a part of this company and its family!”
As part of the ranking process, Deschutes Brewery employees completed confidential employee-satisfaction surveys to collect information about benefits, compensation, policies, job satisfaction, environmental initiatives and community outreach programs. Employer questionnaires about the same topics were also included in the program. The experts at the Best Companies Group then analyzed the results and selected the companies that best enable employees to pursue active lifestyles while also supporting their social and environmental contributions.
Gary Fish, founder and CEO of the brewery, said, “We founded Deschutes Brewery in one of the best places on earth to live — Bend, Oregon. For the last 25 years, we’ve operated on a premise of being able to enjoy a work-life balance for all employees while also creating a great product and giving back to the community. Our continued success can be attributed in great part to the dedication and pride our employees take in their work. Receiving recognition like this is exciting for everyone at the company.”
Earlier this year, Deschutes Brewery implemented a new Employee Stock Ownership Program (ESOP) which enables employees to share financially in the company’s continued success. The brewery’s growth and accomplishments can be attributed in great part to the dedication and pride the company’s employees take in their work. Providing partial ownership to employees through the ESOP was the perfect way to help the brewery celebrate its silver anniversary this year and instill an even more significant commitment — at every level – to the brewery’s future adventures.
Deschutes Brewery dedicates $1 per barrel sold annually to charities throughout the community to help fulfill its goal of helping to build a healthier society. Giving ranges from environmental causes that are near and dear to the brewery’s Oregon roots, all the way to assisting kids in need through local service organizations. With 2012 production at 250,000+ barrels, community support will exceed a quarter of a million dollars in 2013.
“We’re proud to publicize the efforts of these 100 companies,” said Outside editor Christopher Keyes. “They each show a real commitment to creating active, healthy work environments and put a premium on innovative benefits. Year after year, Outside’s Best Places to Work program demonstrates that America’s most successful companies are the ones that consistently promote true work-life balance for their employees.”
Outside’s “Best Places to Work” project celebrates the innovative companies setting a new standard for a healthy work-life balance. The list was compiled with the help of the Outdoor Industry Association and Best Companies Group. The yearlong selection process began with an outreach effort that identified a wide range of non-profit and for-profit organizations with at least 15 employees working in an office in the United States.
About Deschutes Brewery
Celebrating its 25th anniversary this year, Deschutes Brewery began as a brew pub in downtown Bend, Oregon and is known for such brands as Black Butte Porter, its flagship brew and the nation’s number one selling craft porter, and the popular Mirror Pond Pale Ale. In addition to its original Bend pub, this family and employee-owned brewery opened a second pub in Portland’s Pearl District in 2008. The company’s main brewing facility is located on the banks of the Deschutes River and produces over 250,000 barrels of beer annually for distribution in 21 states and two provinces. Deschutes Brewery was named one of America’s Best Places to Work in 2013 by Outside Magazine.
About Outside
Outside is America’s leading active lifestyle brand. For more than 30 years, Outside has covered travel, sports, adventure, health, and fitness, as well as the personalities, the environment, and the style and culture of the world Outside. The Outside family includes Outside magazine, the only magazine to win three consecutive National Magazine Awards for General Excellence, The Outside Buyer’s Guides, Outside Online, Outside Television, Outside Events, Outside+ tablet edition, and Outside Books. Visit us online and on Facebook.
About the Best Companies Group
Best Companies Group works with national and local partners around the country to establish and manage “Best Places to Work,” “Best Companies,” and “Best Employers” programs on a national, statewide, and regional basis. Through its thorough workplace assessment, utilizing employer questionnaires and employee-satisfaction surveys, BCG identifies and recognizes companies who have been successful in creating and maintaining workplace excellence.