Two relatively new beers from Crux Fermentation Project to consider as Oregon enters its two (or more) week “freeze” from the pandemic, if you’re looking for ways to support your local breweries directly: Solar Sailor IPA and Shakeside Stout. Both were added to the year-round lineup at the end of summer, and I’d received samples from the brewery; Solar Sailor is in 12-ounce cans, and Shakeside is Crux’s first year-round beer in 16-ounce cans.

They are nice beers worth finding space for in the fridge, particularly if you’re stocking up for the freeze and/or the holiday. My reviews are below.

Solar Sailor IPA

This is Crux’s latest entry into the “juicy IPA” space with a trio of hops who’s names inspired the beer’s moniker—Galaxy, Strata, and Comet. Here’s the description:

Set the mainsail, trim the jib, and sail off into the unknown with us as we endeavor to craft yet another out-of-this-world IPA. For this space-hopped iteration, we circumnavigated the planet to collect a cosmic array of citrus and tropical flavors in the form of a full payload of Galaxy, Strata, and Comet hops. The resulting IPA is a juicy journey through the cosmos that’s categorically refreshing and truly a trip worth taking. (6.2% ABV, 50 IBUs)

Juicy, but not hazy, with a respectable amount of bitterness units to keep things interesting, while still not overmuscled at 6.2% ABV. My notes:

Appearance: Bright copper color, largely clear. Creamy off-white head with nice legs. Burnished gold color when held to the light.

Smell: Juicy with tropical fruits that go more papaya, mango, melon than citrus. Green meadow notes along with some stone fruit and sweet floral nectar. Hay, honey.

Taste: Earthy and minty hop bitterness that’s mellow and grassy. Slight spiciness against a clean, neutral malt base. A fair amount of earthy, loamy flavor that’s full of hay and black tea. There’s more light spiciness at the back, sort of peppery or dandelion greens quality of spice, that lets you know the hops are there.

Mouthfeel: Medium-bodied, and nicely clean with easy hops in the aftertaste.

Overall: This is nicely drinkable with no big surprises, just really nice hop character and a highly competent IPA.

Shakeside Stout

Crux is calling Shakeside a “hybrid milk stout” and bucks the trend of many American stouts these days by being relatively low alcohol—5% by volume. Here are the details:

Never satisfied by mere repetition, we decided to shake things up with this sessionable stout brewed with lactose sugar and malted rye. A blend of both dry and sweet traditions, this chocolaty ale has a smooth and creamy mouthfeel with a subtle, spirited kick that’s sure to awaken your tastebuds. (5.0% ABV, 40 IBUs)

Our first year-round beer in 16oz cans, SHAKESIDE is a hybrid milk stout that is full of all the flavors you love in a stout, but is surprisingly refreshing with its low ABV.

Jason Randles, Branding/Marketing Manager for Crux, told me (some) people expected this to be some sort of milkshake or pastry stout, based on the name “Shakeside.” Me, I think that reminds me more of “Shakespeare” as in Rogue Ales’ Shakespeare Stout. Ultimately it’s not like either examples.

Appearance: Dark brown to black and opaque; well-structured tan head with delicate Belgian lace and medium bubbles.

Smell: Light roasted malts, coffee, dark bread crust, subtle dark bitter chocolate. Toasted grain, Grape Nuts, dark to almost char but nothing burnt or astringent.

Taste: Lighter profile than you’d expect, with charred toast, light rye/pumpernickel spiciness, raw cacao, and a touch nutty. Subtle sweetness from the lactose but it’s almost an afterthought. Just nicely dark (but not sharp or burnt) flavors with a light hint of chocolate milk.

Mouthfeel: Medium-light body, with a clean finish that goes lightly dry.

Overall: A nice stout that’s well-brewed and does what it needs to. Good balance going on.