494: Patrick Raasch of Sunriver Builds a Throughline of Refinement into Boldly Flavored Beers

Sunriver Brewing head brewer Patrick Raasch details the evolution of the brewery’s production from 2,100 to 13,000 barrels over the past decade while maintaining a focus on high-quality, award-winning beers. The discussion centers on the technical nuances of modernizing classic styles, particularly West Coast IPAs, through strategic hop selection and fermentation control. Raasch explains the use of CO2 extract for bitterness, the role of 3470 lager yeast in enhancing hop saturation, and the importance of precise temperature management during dry hopping. Beyond IPAs, the conversation highlights the brewery’s success with barrel-aged barley wine and creative, cocktail-inspired rice lagers. These practices, combined with a rigorous internal sensory panel process and a commitment to low-oxygen packaging, drive the brewery’s consistent performance in major competitions like the Great American Beer Festival and the World Beer Cup.