Bend, OR - Crux Fermentation Project

The stylistic sign welcomes beer loving patrons at night. 

Just when you think the beer scene in Bend, Oregon can't get any better, it does! During our winter visit we discovered a new exciting craft beer venue.  Crux Fermentation Project opened last June, but we didn’t get a chance to check it out until our visit this winter.  Now I’m sure it will be one of the first stops we make during our summer visit.

The door was open on this mild winter afternoon. 

Crux takes pride in producing small batches of beer with creative and complex tastes, and I’m happy to report they hit their mark...and then some.  It’s fun to find a new venue that is not just riding the super hopped band wagon foregoing all other beer styles.

The brew pub is busy during happy hour. 

The interior of Crux is not all that unusual.  They converted an old transmission shop and mill supply store into a brewery and pub with an industrial feel.   Patrons sit on heavy wood tables or at a long bar in view of the large gleaming vats of brewing beer. Lots of windows and the ubiquitous sliding garage doors surround the tasting room.  A good sized crowd was there the night I visited with my family.  We were in the mood to enjoy some full bodied beer and tasty food, and we were not disappointed.

Darcy likes the Nitro Stout the best!

We ordered two tasters and tried 12 of the 15 beers.  They also offered a draft cider. I don’t think there was one beer that we didn’t enjoy.  Our taste preferences vary and each of us was happy.  My husband goes for German style malt-driven beer.  Our daughter prefers a dark stout, and I’m all about a nice hop finish.  The Marzen, Nitro Stout and Imperial Triskel fit the bill. Original flavors and depth of character categorize their selection.  It’s clear that an experienced beer master created these brews. We ordered some tasty pub grub - sandwiches, wraps and salads - to accompany our beer.  It was one fun beer drinking experience! 

I’m told they open a beer garden in warmer weather and they are building a dog park in the back.  You can be assured we’ll be back to Crux this summer, not too long after we pull into town.

Arlington, VA - Rustico

On my recent trip to the Washington, DC area, I spent a few nights with my sister and brother-in-law in Arlington, VA.  They wanted to take me to Rustico, a recent discovery, with a remarkable draft beer list.  I knew I wouldn’t be disappointed when we got there and I saw the inscription on their front window: “Farm Driven Cooking, Hearth Fired Pizzas, Way Too Many Beers”.

Could you resist?

Rusico has stylistic décor, an eclectic menu and yes, plenty of beer choices.  I was thrilled that they classify their 40 plus draft crafts in interesting categories including Crisp, Hop, Malt, Cask, Roast, and Fruit & Spice.  It made it easier to choose an interesting selection of tasters.  Both my sister and I chose four tasters each allowing us to sample 8 beers that night.  My brother-in-law did not sway from his favorite style of beer, and chose a Schloss Eggenberg Naturtrub lager.  What fun beer! They were all distinctively different and enjoyable.  The only exception was the Heavy Seas Below Decks, a Cabernet barrel-aged ale that I think could have remained below deck.  The Goose Island Matilda and the Founders Dirty Bastard were my two faves of the night.  

Such pretty beer!

As I said the menu is eclectic, and that is for sure.  They featured some of my brother-in-laws favorite food in unusual preparations including deep fried deviled eggs and crispy stuffed dates.  He also ordered the special of the night, the pork schnitzel.  My sister and I got adventurous and shared one of the hearth fired pizzas with pumpkin, rock shrimp, caramelized onions and pecorino cheese toppings.  The crust was excellent although although the combination of toppings a bit unusual, it was still enjoyable and an excellent choice with the beer.

Memorable food at Rusico.

Since the reservation was not made well in advance, only the 5:45 pm time slot was available.  Within a half hour after our arrival every table was filled with happy diners, and the festive environment and excellent service added to our enjoyment.  Our trip to Rustico was a fun and I recommend you check it out if you’re ever in the neighborhood.