Crux Fermentation Better off Red
Crux Fermentation Better off Red is a 7% ABV Flanders red ale from the Crux Fermentation Project of Bend, Oregon — part of the brewery's Banished Series of barrel-aged releases. It ages many months in Oregon Pinot Noir barrels, a blend of fresher batches (spicier notes) and older batches (more oak, more cherry) built into one pour: copper in the glass, lactic aromas of dark cherries and plums, spicy phenols and oaky Pinot Noir character over a pleasantly tart, medium-sweet body and a dry finish. A 375mL corked-and-capped bottle dipped in burgundy wax. Order Flanders red ale online at Del Mesa Liquor, San Diego, CA.
- ABV: 7% (Banished Series — confirm on bottle)
- Size: 375mL, corked and capped, wax-dipped
- Style: Flanders red ale (Crux Banished Series)
- Barrels: Oregon Pinot Noir barrels, aged many months (varies by vintage)
- Blending: Fresher batches blended with older batches for spice + oak depth
- Origin: Crux Fermentation Project, Bend, Oregon
Bend's Take on Flanders
The Banished Series was Crux's barrel-aged line — and Better Off Red is its Oregonian answer to the Flemish tradition: instead of the classic Rodenbach foeders, the beer rests in Pinot Noir barrels from Oregon wine country, letting the oak and wine residue shape the tart red. The original April 2014 release party sold fewer than 100 cases, and later vintages (2015, 2017) extended the line. Browse more Crux Fermentation beers and the craft beer collection.
Tasting Notes
Nose: lactic dark cherry and plum with spicy phenols. Palate: pleasantly tart — dark fruit and oaky Pinot Noir character over a medium-sweet malt base. Finish: dry and clean, inviting another sip. (PorchDrinking review, 2014 release.)
How to Enjoy
Serve at 50–55°F in a tulip or goblet. Pair with beef carbonnade, aged Gouda or duck — the classic Flanders food matches — or cellar it: Banished Series beers contain live yeast and are built for careful aging.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a Flanders red ale? The classic Belgian sour: an oak-aged red-brown ale, malt-driven with lactic tartness, dark fruit and vanilla-tannic oak.
Can Better Off Red be cellared? Yes — it contains live yeast, and the brewery positioned Banished Series beers as good cellar candidates.
What is the Banished Series? Crux's barrel-aged line — special releases that aged in wood (here, Oregon Pinot Noir barrels) before blending and bottling.
Pinot Noir barrels meet Flemish tradition — buy Crux Better Off Red online from Del Mesa Liquor in San Diego, CA.