Andrew C.
Yelp
As a big fan of Crux brews I was stoked to see this PDX location open a couple of years back, and happy to see the creativity, vibe and level of service is still spot on. This isn't one of the fancier brewpubs in Portland (looking at you 10 Barrel and Deschutes) but that's never been the Crux brand so I'm happy to see them stick to their down to the earth origins and focus on making really good beer. The bar is nice and long and a good place to post up for a couple of pints, with plenty of cheery tenders to pour them for you. The space is overall industrial-feeling with tall ceilings and minimalist decor and mostly bare walls inside, but there's also an outside patio area with picnic tables in the parking lot, though that's best in the summer.
We got the General Tso Cauliflower to start which was a great share plate, with awesome flavor in the sauce, though the actual cauliflower was a bit undercooked. Still, we polished it off no problem. Fish tacos were also a good call, and the thin, crispy fries were a crowd favorite. There are so many good sours, IPAs and other craft beer options here, my buddy just opted for the 4-brew flight (mostly IPAs) which we all sampled and loved, though it's kinda pricy for what's basically 20 ounces of beer. The one-off vintage 14% special beers are where it's at, but at that ABV level, we just decided to share one barrel aged Imperial Stout. So friggin caramelly and delish - the perfect dessert.
The space was pretty quiet for a Saturday night but our service was absolutely next level, so it made for a super pleasant gathering for our small group. The food at this Crux location is probably best described as better-than-average pub fare, but not mouth-watering, and the ambiance is low key but also nothing super special. The beer and the staff though, are awesome, so I will be back for more.