Crux Fermentation Project Closing Portland Location after Selling Original Bend, Oregon Property — New School Beer + Cider

Crux is also calling it quits on their Portland, Oregon location opened in June of 2023 at the former Vagabond Brewing location at 2715 SE 8th Ave #175, Portland, OR 97202. The full service restaurant, taproom, with liquor, was their best bet for reconnecting with consumers in Oregon’s largest city as draft beer sales continue to flounder. When first announced, Crux Portland was supposed to eventually have its own dedicated pilot brewhouse. Though it was located near the busy SE Division food and drink corridor walking distance from The Beermongers and Baerlic Brewing, the more industrial building was awkwardly wedged between the busy Powell boulevard / Ross Island Bridge commuter thoroughfare to the south, and the train tracks to the pubs north that slow both walking and driving traffic. Crux Portland was never able to pick up steam with workers and residents during the weekdays, and will now close for good after service on Sunday March 30th 2025.

All of the cost cutting measures are likely a smart strategic move to right side the brand which has seen a considerable reduction in demand for their draft products and core beers while the non-alcoholic category grows. By significantly reducing their cost of operation, Crux is said to be reinvesting in their NØ MØ line of N/A beers which have proven popular in grocery stores, and setting up a 401(k) savings plan for employees. That latter move is likely a response to the narrowly averted workers strike after staff at the Bend brewpub announced plans to unionize in 2022.