Rhine Family Buys Crux as Oregon Beverage Collective Launches

Crux Fermentation Project’s Bend production house is becoming the hub for a newly announced coalition of five Central Oregon beverage makers after the Rhine family purchased Crux from co-owners Paul Evers and Larry Sidor for an undisclosed sum. The Oregon Beverage Collective, or OBC, brings together Crux, Silver Moon Brewing, Cascade Lakes Brewing Co., GoodLife Brewing, and Tumalo Cider Co.

OBC presented itself as a collaborative production partnership aimed at preserving local brands while pooling resources. “Formed to strengthen operational sustainability while preserving the individuality and legacy of each brand, the Collective focuses on shared resources, innovation, and community investment to create world-class craft beverages that make Central Oregon proud,” reads the collective statement distributed with the announcement.

Leadership roles reported by media include Andy Rhine, who confirmed the Rhine family purchase to KTVZ and is listed by OPB as co-owner of Cascade Lakes Brewing and President of OBC. Cascade Lakes was founded in 1994; Brewpublic reports the Rhine family has owned Cascade Lakes since 2018. Sources identify Silver Moon’s owner as Steve Augustyn (alternate spelling Augustyne appears in some coverage) and attribute this comment to him: “This coalition is about more than beer, it’s about legacy, leadership, and lasting local impact,” said Steve Augustyn.

Crux’s track record and product slate were highlighted as reasons the Bend facility was chosen to shoulder most production for the coalition. Founded in 2012, Crux has built a Pacific Northwest following with experiments from Gated Commünity Brut IPA in cans to NØMØ non-alcoholic brews, barrel-aging projects, whole-cone hop brewing, spontaneously fermented coolship beers, a wine label, and collaborative work on a bourbon whiskey line. Crux co-founder and former brewmaster Larry Sidor framed the sale as a preservation and growth move: “We’re incredibly proud to have the Crux legacy join those who call Central Oregon home, but who also share our passion for pushing forward,” said Sidor. “This alliance will ensure Crux will grow in the collaborative hands of folks who truly get what makes it special.”

OPB’s coverage placed the move in the context of broader industry pressures: shifting consumer demand toward non-alcoholic options, rising costs, market saturation, and high-profile closures such as Rogue Ales last November after nearly 40 years. OBC officials told broadcasters the collective model will allow member brands to retain distinct identities while pursuing efficiencies and collaborations, with Crux’s Bend facility handling the bulk of brewing and distribution logistics for the partnership.

The announcement was distributed alongside a public-facing site for the new organization and broadcast discussion on Feb. 27. With the Rhine family now owning Crux and the Bend brew house lined up as OBC’s production core, the coalition positions Central Oregon’s mix of breweries and a cidery to share scale while keeping brand-specific brewing and innovation intact.