"The Crux Fermentation Project is housed in an old transmission repair plant at the end of a back street near the Old Mill district. Visitors can grab a pint and some pub grub inside the glowing copper taproom or hang out on the park-like lawn with yard games for adults and kids and fire pits. While the Crux kitchen has beer-inspired food, the food trucks are top-notch, including Bend’s fried chicken from Tin Pig, fresh Mexican food at El Sancho, Blind Tiger Pizza, and the new Salt and Surf New England Coastal Grub with authentic creamy yet light clam chowder or New England soft-shell steamer clams. During the daily “sundowner hour,” breathtaking views of the Cascade Mountains come with discounts on 20-plus taps." - Barb Gonzalez, Jeffrey Stull