Food Snapshot
1188 Brewing Company
141 E Main St, John Day, OR 97845
My review 5 out of 5 stars
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1188 Brewing Company, John Day Oregon brewery culture, and Eastern Oregon craft beer are the reason this stop instantly stood out during our road trip. In a town where life moves slower and distances feel bigger, finding a place that combines local beer, comfort food, and genuine community spirit feels like striking gold.
Our Story, First Impressions in John Day
We arrived in John Day, Oregon, a small town in eastern Oregon surrounded by wide open landscapes, forests, rivers, and high desert scenery. John Day sits along Highway 26, a key route for travelers heading toward places like the Painted Hills, John Day Fossil Beds National Monument, and deeper into rural Oregon.
We stayed nearby in an Airbnb, which made exploring the town on foot easy. John Day is the kind of place where you immediately notice the quiet, the space, and the strong local identity. During the day, the streets are calm, shops are relaxed, and nothing feels rushed. That pace fits perfectly with what 1188 Brewing Company represents.
History, The Story Behind 1188 Brewing Company
The story of 1188 Brewing Company is deeply rooted in family, tradition, and eastern Oregon culture. The brewery was founded by two families connected through sisters Shannon and Jennifer, and their partners Jeremy and Ken. The name “1188” comes from racing numbers belonging to their fathers, a nod to classic snowmobile racing culture from the 1970s in eastern Oregon.
Founded in 2012 and opening its brewpub doors in 2013, the goal was clear from the beginning: create a community hub where locals and travelers feel equally welcome. That philosophy still defines the place today. The brewery embraces exploration, craftsmanship, and time well spent, a phrase you feel the moment you walk inside.
Location, Right in the Heart of John Day
1188 Brewing Company is located directly on Main Street in John Day, making it impossible to miss. Its position makes it a natural stop for road trippers, overlanders, and travelers heading through eastern Oregon. The building itself feels modern yet rooted in small town character, with a warm interior, spacious seating, and a relaxed atmosphere.
Because John Day is small, everything feels close. From our Airbnb, the walk was short and easy, reinforcing that small town feeling where dinner plans never require a long drive.
Beer, Local, Fresh, and Only Here
One thing that immediately stood out is that all beers are on tap, and they taste incredibly fresh. 1188 Brewing Company focuses on brewing its own beer on site, and many of these beers are not available anywhere else. This is true local beer, brewed for the region and the people who live here.
The selection offers variety without being overwhelming. Each beer feels intentional, balanced, and well crafted. You can tell this is not mass production, but careful brewing with character. If you enjoy discovering beers you cannot find back home or in bigger cities, this alone makes the stop worth it.
Food, More Than Just Beer
While beer is clearly the star, 1188 Brewing Company also offers a solid snack and food menu. This is not just a place to grab a drink. It is a comfortable restaurant where food and beer complement each other well.
The menu focuses on approachable comfort food, done properly. Portions are generous, flavors are bold, and everything fits the brewery atmosphere. We ate well, drank well, and enjoyed the experience enough that we made the decision the same evening to come back again.
1188 Brewing Company Food Menu
The menu at 1188 Brewing Company goes far beyond standard pub food. It is built around hearty comfort dishes, quality burgers made with half pound beef patties, fresh salads, wraps, flatbreads, and family friendly options. The kitchen balances classic American brewery staples with a few creative twists, making it a reliable stop whether you want a full dinner, something to share with beers, or a relaxed lunch in John Day. Portions are generous, the menu is broad, and there are plenty of options for both adults and kids, which fits the role of 1188 as a true community gathering spot.
Appetizers and Shareables
| Item | Description | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Baskets | Shareable starter baskets | $6.00 |
| Jalapeño Stuffer | Cream cheese stuffed jalapeño | $3.50+ |
| Pub Fries | House made pub fries | $14.00 |
| Fried Brussel Sprouts | Crispy fried brussels sprouts | $8.75 |
| Artichoke Spinach Dip | Warm artichoke spinach dip | $12.00 |
| Wings Your Way | Cajun rubbed wings | $14.25+ |
Soups and Salads
| Item | Description | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Soup of the Day | Cup or bowl | $8.00+ |
| Soup, Salad and Bread | Soup with house salad and focaccia | $15.00 |
| House Salad | Mixed greens, tomato, onion | $8.00+ |
| Killer Caesar Salad | Romaine, shaved parmesan, Caesar dressing | $10.00+ |
| Caesar on Nitro | Elevated Caesar salad | $11.00+ |
| Southwest Chicken Salad | Spiced chicken with southwest flavors | $17.00 |
| Steak and Blue | New York steak on arugula with blue cheese | $17.50 |
Wraps
| Item | Description | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Southwest Chicken Wrap | Signature southwest style wrap | $16.00 |
| Caesar Wrap | Caesar salad in a wrap | $13.00 |
| Caesar on Nitro Wrap | Nitro Caesar wrap | $14.00 |
| Home on the Ranch | Classic ranch style wrap | $16.00 |
Specialties
| Item | Description | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Beer Battered Fish and Chips | Classic pub style fish and chips | $18.25 |
| New York Steak | 7 oz Angus steak | $26.00 |
Pastas
| Item | Description | Price |
|---|---|---|
| 1188 Mac and Cheese | House favorite mac and cheese | $14.00+ |
| Spicy Shrimp Penne | Penne pasta with seasoned shrimp | $16.50 |
| Angel Hair Spaghetti | Traditional spaghetti | $10.00+ |
Burgers (Half Pound Patties)
| Item | Description | Price |
|---|---|---|
| 1188 Burger | Half pound beef burger | $19.25 |
| Mushroom Swiss | Burger with mushroom and Swiss cheese | $20.25 |
| Jalapeño Business | Burger with jalapeño kick | $21.25 |
| Blue Mountain | Burger with blue cheese | $21.25 |
Sandwiches
| Item | Description | Price |
|---|---|---|
| 1188 French Dip | Slow roasted beef with au jus | $17.00 |
| Reuben | Corned beef, sauerkraut, Swiss | $15.00 |
| Buff Chick | Buffalo chicken sandwich | $15.00 |
| Classic Chicken Sandwich | Breaded chicken sandwich | $16.50 |
| Pulled Pork Sandwich | Tender pulled pork | $12.00 |
| Pesto Turkey | Turkey with pesto and mozzarella | $15.00 |
| Turkey Bacon Club | Turkey, bacon, classic club | $15.00 |
Flatbreads
| Item | Description | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Jalapeño Bacon Flatbread | Jalapeño, bacon, cheddar jack, ranch | $10.50 |
| Margherita Flatbread | Tomato, mozzarella, basil | $10.00 |
Kids Menu
| Item | Description | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Kraft Mac and Cheese | Creamy mac and cheese | $8.00 |
| Chicken Nuggets | Crispy nuggets | $8.00 |
| Grilled Cheese | Classic grilled cheese | $8.00 |
| Kids Spaghetti | Pasta with meat sauce | $8.00 |
| Cheese Pizza with Meat Sauce | Kids size pizza | $8.00 |
| Kids Slider Burger | Mini burger | $8.00 |
| Pretzel Sticks with Cheese | Two pretzel sticks | $8.00 |
Non Alcoholic Beverages
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Coffee | $3.00 |
| Coca Cola | $2.75+ |
| Diet Coke | $2.75+ |
| Dr Pepper | $2.75+ |
| Root Beer | $2.75+ |
| Sprite | $2.75+ |
| Iced Tea | $2.75+ |
| Lemonade | $2.75+ |
| Arnold Palmer | $2.75+ |
| Shirley Temple | $2.75+ |
| Water | $2.75+ |
| Honey Stick | $0.25 |
1188 Brewing Company – Tap List (2023)
We had some beers from the tap over here, just like the Tattie Bogle, Black Oak Instigator, Prickly In Pink, en de Heritage Fresh Hop. My friend, Peter, had a Hey Bub over there as well. All beers of 2023 were awesome, and I would recommend these if they still have them or if they return at some point!
| # | Naam | Stijl | ABV |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | D.B. Cooper | Hefeweizen | 5.2% |
| 2 | Tattie Bogle | Smoked Wee Heavy | 9.2% |
| 3 | Hey Bub | Lo Cal Light Ale | 4.2% |
| 4 | Black Oak Instigator | American Stout | 8.0% |
| 5 | Prickly In Pink | Prickly Pear Gose | 4.0% |
| 6 | Heritage Fresh Hop | Harvest Ale | 6.3% |
| 7 | Mazelnut | American Brown Ale | 5.8% |
| 8 | Rim Rock Red | Red Ale | 5.5% |
| 9 | Baked Apple | d’s Wicked Cider | 6.5% |
| 10 | Chardonnay | Coopers Hall Wine | n.v.t. |
| 11 | Cranberry Blood Orange | NA CBD Water | 0.0% |
| 12 | Papaya Paradise | Ciderboys Cider Co. | 5.0% |
Current Beers at 1188 Brewing Company
At 1188 Brewing Company, beer is all about craftsmanship, experimentation, and Eastern Oregon character. Every in house beer is brewed with a clear sense of place, drawing inspiration from the rugged landscapes, small town culture, and outdoor lifestyle surrounding John Day, Oregon. The lineup ranges from light, easy drinking lagers to bold stouts and hop forward IPAs, with seasonal and limited releases regularly rotating through the taps. Whether you are looking for something refreshing after a long drive or a complex beer to slowly enjoy, the selection reflects both creativity and balance, always brewed on site and served fresh from the tap.
Beer Overview
| Beer Name | Style | ABV |
|---|---|---|
| BRAAP! | Belgian Wit | 4.5% |
| Fepic Ale | English Red Ale | 5.4% |
| Lyghten Up | American Light Lager | 3.4% |
| Leafdropper | IPA | 7.0% |
| John Daze Haze | Hazy IPA | 7.0% |
| Whomp | Watermelon Habanero Lime Sour | 5.2% |
| Black Oak Instigator | American Stout | 8.0% |
| Mazelnut | American Brown Ale | 6.0% |
| Maddizzle | Hazy IPA | 6.8% |
| Gnomo Loco | Mexican Lager | 5.2% |
| Belgian Golden Strong | Belgian Golden Strong Ale | 10.7% |
| Forbidden Summer | White IPA | 6.5% |
| Dudeist Monk | Belgian Single | 5.0% |
| Yonder Mountain | IPA | 7.5% |
| Flogging Murphys | Dry Irish Stout | 4.2% |
Availability may vary, as several beers are seasonal or limited releases brewed in small batches.
Atmosphere, Comfort, and Merch
The interior is cozy, welcoming, and thoughtfully designed. It feels like a place where locals gather, families meet, and travelers blend right in. There is nothing pretentious about it. Instead, it feels honest and relaxed.
They also sell their own merchandise, which fits the branding and adds to the experience. It reinforces that this brewery is proud of its identity and deeply connected to the town.
Reviews, What Others Say
Looking at reviews from other visitors, a clear pattern emerges. People consistently praise the beer quality, the friendly staff, and the comfortable atmosphere. Many mention how unexpected it is to find such a strong brewery in a small town like John Day. Others highlight that it is a must stop along Highway 26.
The reviews reflect exactly what we experienced ourselves. This is not hype. It is consistency.
Staff, Friendly and Realistic for a Small Town
The staff was friendly and welcoming. During the day, there were not many people working, but that made perfect sense. John Day is a small town, especially during daytime hours. There simply is not the crowd volume that requires a large team, and service was still smooth and relaxed.
This balance actually added to the charm. No rush, no stress, just good service at a pace that fits the town.
The Homecoming Game, When the Town Shows Up
When we returned later that same day, we accidentally walked straight into a Homecoming Game crowd. A homecoming game is a major high school sports event in the United States, usually tied to football season. Alumni return to town, families gather, and the entire community shows up to support the local team.
That evening, the brewery was packed. Space was limited, energy was high, and the atmosphere completely changed compared to our quiet daytime visit. While it was busier than expected, it was also a great reminder of how central this place is to the local community.
Final Thoughts, Why We Would Return
1188 Brewing Company is more than just a brewery. It is a reflection of John Day itself. Small town pride, local craftsmanship, good food, and time well spent.
We enjoyed it so much that returning the same evening felt like an easy decision. Whether you are passing through eastern Oregon, staying nearby, or exploring places like the Painted Hills, this is a stop that belongs on your route.
Sometimes the best travel memories come from places you did not expect. This was one of them.
