Wilmington, NC - The Front Street Brewery

The popular Front Street Brewery and Restaurant

All these years we’ve lived in the Southern US, we never visited Wilmington, NC.  After pulling into town on our way to the North Carolina Outer Banks last week, I had to ask myself why?  What a charming a vibrant city! My husband Bruce, and I stayed in the historic downtown neighborhood near the Cape Fear River waterfront, and upon the recommendation of several friends, made our way to the Front Street Brewery.  At 4 pm on a Thursday, the brew pub, located in a beautiful historic downtown building, was packed.  The half-priced appetizers (available until 6 pm) and 10 microbrews kept folks coming in all evening.  

The bartenders stay very busy at the pub. 

We sat at the bar and decided to try all of their offerings.  Two samplers of five brews each, and a pint of the quite amazing barrel aged Eccentric Nobility, did the trick.  Unfortunately, the IPA was tapped out, but I was impressed with the overall quality of the brewing, and a few selections really stood out.  It was August and it was hot and the Coastal Kolsch was crisp, clean tasting and flavorful.  It did the trick as a thirst quencher.  The El Hefe Hefeweisen was also a good choice to help with the heat.  The fruity Raspberry Wheat was fun, and the Amberjack ESB, is a respectable British style brew.  I did favor the Eccentric Nobility for the depth and character created by the oak aging process, and was glad we ordered a full pint.

Such pretty colors!

On our second visit to Front Street we sampled the food with our brews, and I ordered a fried green tomato BLT that did not disappoint.  The pub grub on the menu is varied and good.  Bruce chose an entrée, the coriander seared tuna, and he finished it all and left with a smile on his face.  And why not?  Good food, excellent service, plenty of tasty beer… what’s not to like?  Even the prices were very fair, and if you choose the daily beer and food specials, you can leave with your wallet mostly intact.  Yes, I understand why the Front Street Brewery is so popular, and if you’re in their neighborhood I definitely recommend you stop by. 

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.