Alpha Crateris at 4.1 visual magnitude isn't the brightest star of Crater. That title goes to delta Crt which is slightly brighter (3.6) and even gamma Crt is just a bit brighter as well. All three are found in the same field of vision.

It's easiest to find alpha Crateris by coming from Hydra.

From nu Hydrae you'll see to the southeast alpha Crateris: binoculars. Placing alpha at the western edge of your glasses gives you the three brightest stars in the constellation: binoculars.

Beta Crateris is to the southeast, still in the same view as alpha: binoculars.

The remaining stars of the asterism of the ‘goblet’ are easily found with binoculars by star hopping.