Crux Obsession
I am not sure I have ever met a beer from Crux Fermentation Project that I didn't like. Seriously. I LOVE Crux! Their beers are crisp, inviting, flavorful and they brew beers that are traditional along with experimental beers.
Their tasting room in Bend, OR is just as great as their beer. They have figured out a way to make drinking beer an event vs. sitting and staring at a phone while drinking beer next to your friends. Their tasting room is a small, chill spot but the best part of their facility is actually outside the tasting room. There is a huge grassy area big enough for fetch with your dog (yes they are dog friendly!), horseshoes, corn hole (yes they are kid friendly!) fire pits, chairs & tables and they even line up delicious food trucks out there. You will find their facility just as full on a Monday lunch as you will on a Wednesday happy hour or on a Saturday afternoon. People flock here and understandably so! They even thoughtfully put in an outdoor bar so you don't have to go in and order.
Naturally we always want to take home their beers when we find them in bottle shops. Recently we enjoyed these two beauties. The Cruising Altitude IIPA and the Crux Farmhouse. They are both delightful!
The Farmhouse is enjoyable regardless of the season! I know some don't like a Farmhouse or Saison different times of the year but this one you could drink at anytime! It's light, peppery and just enough sweet to make it a balanced and traditional Farmhouse ale.
The Cruising Altitude IIPA is really tasty. If you have a chance to get your hands on this one, please do! This one is a perfect combination of slightly dank, slightly tropical and a tiny bit of malt ... think, mango and a hint of orange squash. It actually seemed lower on the hop scale to me but that translates into a super drinkable and palatable IIPA.
As always, Crux for the win!
Crux Cruising Altitude Imperial/Double IPA
ABV: 8.0% IBU: 50
Tasting notes: Slightly dank, slightly tropical and a tiny bit of malt ... think, mango and a hint of orange squash
Crux Farmhouse
ABV: 7.5%
IBU: 20
Tasting notes: Light, peppery and just enough sweet to make it a balanced and traditional Farmhouse ale. Not your traditional saison yeast, but very drinkable.