Deschutes Brewery Unveils Virtual Reality Experiences for Two Oregon Landmarks

18 July 2016 --- Bend, Oregon – Deschutes Brewery has brought two of its beers to life with virtual reality films that provide viewers with an immersive experience of Oregon landmarks: Black Butte and Mirror Pond. The Oregon brewery’s two flagship beers, Black Butte Porter and Mirror Pond Pale Ale, were named after these beautiful natural places. Now their fans can experience them with two stereoscopic 360 degree virtual reality experiences created by local creative agency, Impossible Engine. This is the first 3D VR film for a Central Oregon brand.

“Most people outside of Oregon don’t even realize that many of our beers are named after actual places right here in our backyard, so we are excited to bring these brands to life,” said Jason Randles, digital marketing manager for the brewery. “These places, and the beers that were inspired by them, are the heart and soul of Deschutes and speak to our roots in this special place we call home.”

Best viewed with commercially-available, high-end VR headsets such as the Oculus Rift and HTC Vive, the Black Butte film is available on the Deschutes’ YouTube channel, where it can be viewed using a Virtual Reality viewer, such as Google Cardboard, or as a 360 degree experience. Deschutes’ strong company culture is clearly represented as most of the people on camera and all of the narrators are actual co-owners at the employee-owned brewery. The Mirror Pond film will be available for viewing by the end of July.

Each film is about three minutes long, and viewers can immerse themselves completely. For example, while experiencing the Black Butte Porter film viewers can have a Black Butte Porter in hand, and toast at the summit with the folks who actually make the beer.

Randles continued, “In our brewhouse and at our pubs, we are always innovating, experimenting and leading the way. This film represents that pioneering spirit as we bring our beers to life in a unique manner.”