Santa Fe Brewing Company

Santa Fe Brewing CompanySanta Fe Brewing Company
Santa Fe Brewing CompanySanta Fe Brewing Company
Brewery, Bar, Eatery, Beer-to-go

35 Fire Place
Santa Fe, New Mexico, 87508-4493
United States

(505) 424-3333 | map
santafebrewing.com

Santa Fe Brewing Pub And Grill is located right next door @ 27 Fire Place.
BEER STATS
Average:
3.7
Beers:
61
Ratings:
4,500
PLACE STATS
Average:
3.78
Reviews:
19
Ratings:
46
pDev:
12.96%
View: Beers | Place Reviews
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Ratings by Rado:
Photo of Rado
Rated by Rado from California

3.61/5  rDev -4.5%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 3.75 | service: 4.25 | selection: 3.5 | food: 1

Mar 25, 2015
More User Ratings:
Photo of bosstep
Reviewed by bosstep from New Mexico

2.45/5  rDev -35.2%
vibe: 3 | quality: 3 | service: 3 | selection: 1
Review of the Beer Hall.
Maybe 8 or so beers on tap. Pretty much the beers that they produce in can format In fact, some of the “tap” beers are only available in cans, which is disappointing since all their beers are brewed here. SFBC has made many different styles over the years and some were excellent, but you won’t see any one off beers on tap anymore. It’s all about the production beers. Even the legendary Chicken Killer is available only in cans at the “tap” room. Might as well just go to the liquor store and buy a sixpack. We left without a purchase, as for the second time in the last 3 months, the beers of interest were not available in draft format.
Jul 20, 2021
Photo of slander
Reviewed by slander from New York

4.22/5  rDev +11.6%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4.25 | service: 4.25 | selection: 4.25
Saw it off the highway some on our way up to Santa Fe, we seek it now in reverse outbound a-town. As we turned on the road to, I spotted a coyote and then Davo panicked when the pic needed to be taken (honestly, he just froze. Davo, not the coyote). It’s funny because 2 minutes later he claimed that it was he who spotted the coyote, when in fact, it was my I spy (and I’d already named him ‘Craig’ so you know it’s for reals). Continued up the road and parked and went to the brewery tasting room and pulled on the locked doors and looked with eyes and saw the darkness inside and felt the sadness and checked the hours and said ‘WTF? They’re supposed to be open ‘til 10’ and asked a guy in the parking lot the what what and he pointed to The Bridge, which is here where we are now. Thank you, parking lot guy…

It’s a long low building across the parking lot with a large outdoor space fronting. Inside, it’s bar to the left and chill space to the right and beyond. We will set up at the bar because that’s where the beer be. Long ‘J’ shaped hook copper topped bar with a service break, vertical wood base, & copper topped foot box, too; seating for 2 dozen on brown leather wood stools. 8 logo handles on a stainless ‘T’ tower pasted with brewery stickers on the main run of the bar and another on the backside hook. Mirror on the barback, growls shelved, & glassware below. Cold room for cans to go sits behind the barback. Glow lit logo piece light box, and strung baby holiday lightings (and I mean tiny little baby white lights; they are the coolest thing).

Draft selections listed on hanging slat boards in rows hooked (beer name, ABV, & IBU) and a few specialty beers on a board alongside (as they have not earned their place on slat boards as of yet). 14 beers up just now; 10 usual suspects? (Pepe Loco, Mexican Lager, 4.8%; Happy Camper IPA, 6.6%; Nut Brown Ale, 5.2%; Oktoberfest, 6%; Freestyle Pilsner, 5.5%; 7K IPA, 7%; Social Hour, Wit with Pineapple & Guava, 7%; Pale Ale, 5.4%; Java Stout, 8%; Chicken Killer Barleywine, 10%), and 4 specialty beers (Cabana Boy, IPL, 6.8%; Sunsetter, Farmhouse Ale, 5.3%; Diplomatic Immunity, Red Chile Chocolate Stout, 10%; Merky, DIPA, 8%). Did shortys of the Nut Brown Ale, Social Hour Wit, & Oktoberfest, and then got into Davo’s Chicken Killer Barleywine, which was really fucking nice. Chicken Killer Barleywine & Okto were best of show. I really would have liked to have gotten into that Red Chile Chocolate Stout but was cursed by driving responsibilities back to Albuquerque, dig?

A half dozen squared tables forward the bar populated by other people who know where the beer be. Some folks have their dogs running and doing the slide on the lino tiled floorings (we now know ‘Jack Shit’, he’s a Jack Russell/Shih Tzu mix). Pressed tin like ceilings with sunken spots, and the walls painted or wallpapered up with vertical windows and some narrow doors to the forward courtyard and side exterior seating for dirty, dirty smokers. A few tables, some copper topped bar counter ledge seating, & a few barrels riddled about for the stand around in that open area down past the bar. A pair of table shuffleboard games and a water station over there (me, pointing).

On the backside, a step down lower space with a band play area, a few bar tables of the raised roundie variety, & more copper topped bar counter run lining the ledges to the rear. Pool table in a small room on the far end and darts in the opposite corner. Large arched log rafter ceiling with skylight action and a staircase to a balcony off the stage area that wraps around atop for band viewing; cushy bench seating the length and shorty tables there.

Out front, the aforementioned courtyard with a covered stage area on the end. Concrete slab and slate ground work here, and a grassy patch along the forward fencings for the lying down on and shut up I’m not sleeping I’m just resting my eyes for a minute oh my god it’s so soft stop talking to me I’m not sleeping, no, I’m not, no, I’m not, no, I’m not. Some tables here and there and cornhole for the play.

Deetending tonight, she’s a Staten Island girl who got out. We applauded her for escaping New York City's least coolest borough. The place was pretty dead at damn near closing on a Monday night but the beers were good, and I could see this place being scene. We dug it.
Aug 21, 2020
Photo of Fredbeers
Reviewed by Fredbeers

2.45/5  rDev -35.2%
vibe: 3 | quality: 3 | service: 1 | selection: 3
The beer is great but the short, arrogant bar tender who is a dude with little man syndrome kept bullying the other bar tender who appeared to be relatively new.

The short jabronie with the flat bill cap verbal bullied the other bartender who was a super kind older guy with long hair. (I didn't catch their names)

At one point the short white patriarchy Oompa Loompa with self esteem issues found a piece of broken glass on the ground behind the bar and accused the nice bar tender of "trying to get someone hurt" the little person took the broken glass and poked the older guy in the arm causing him to bleed. The older guy was clearly irritated, hurt and embarrassed but remained professional and didn't make a scene.

The younger guy then started making loud comments verbally bullying the older bartender making all the customers feel uncomfortable. Ruined the experience, made me and everybody at the bar feel super bad for the old bartender from New York, who's probably trying to just get by.
Nov 27, 2019
 
Rated: 4.25 by NickThaFish from New Mexico

Mar 06, 2019
 
Rated: 4.28 by Mark66 from Texas

Dec 27, 2018
 
Rated: 3.77 by gmale9000 from New York

Dec 06, 2018
Photo of lackenhauser
Reviewed by lackenhauser from Maryland

4.44/5  rDev +17.5%
vibe: 3.5 | quality: 4.5 | service: 5 | selection: 4.25
Was last in Santa Fe 2 years after these guys opened. Not even sure if they had a brew pub to visit then. Anyway stopped in at the end of The Turquoise Trail. On the side of Rt 14 but no way in the back entrance somewhat weird the gate was locked. Saw what I assumed was an employee leaving on a small dirt path so we drove in that way. Later figured out you are to go maybe 400 yards north and make a left down to their entrance. The pub itself is across from the brewery/tasting room in a building labeled The Bridge-again somewhat awkward to figure out....so I dove right in. Maybe 10 beers on tap. Service was right there-prompt and friendly. Had the porter and one of 3 IPAs on tap. The porter was great and the IPA prety good as well. Scored some Chicken City barleywine to go. Very positive experience once we figured out the lay of the land.
Aug 19, 2018
 
Rated: 3.77 by denver10 from New Mexico

May 31, 2018
Photo of Klub98
Rated by Klub98 from Texas

4.47/5  rDev +18.3%
vibe: 4.25 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4.5
Cool joint with a badass outdoor ampitheatre. Saw a great show and had some great beers.
Jan 05, 2018
 
Rated: 3.65 by Kurmaraja from California

Aug 21, 2017
 
Rated: 3.47 by mkyer from Connecticut

Aug 02, 2017
 
Rated: 4.14 by HeartofMiami from Florida

Jul 10, 2017
 
Rated: 4 by kingpin1010 from California

Jun 04, 2017
 
Rated: 4 by Barbican from Massachusetts

Sep 13, 2015
Photo of Bunman3
Reviewed by Bunman3 from Canada (AB)

3.85/5  rDev +1.9%
vibe: 3.75 | quality: 4 | service: 3.75 | selection: 3.75 | food: 4
I stopped in here out of necessity a few year ago. We rented a Mustang convertible to take a "back roads" road trip from Albuquerque to Santa Fe. My hair was recently shorn, and I was not wearing a hat. By the time we got close to Santa Fe, by scalp was scorched. Lo and behold, we encountered this oasis of good bee and good food. We had the most incredible (and massive) chicken enchiladas. I would love to make a return visit!
Jun 07, 2015
 
Rated: 3.81 by Determined_021 from New Mexico

May 28, 2015
Photo of Ron22
Reviewed by Ron22 from Nevada

3.68/5  rDev -2.6%
vibe: 2 | quality: 5 | service: 2.5 | selection: 5 | food: 1
One of the reasons I miss living in Santa Fe. I can't wait to go down there this month and stock up on my favorite beer! No food selection, but not the reason I would go there. Service needs improvement, they aren't the friendliest place in town - but I was there for the beer only.
May 13, 2015
 
Rated: 3.78 by cbcrunch from Wyoming

Apr 03, 2015
 
Rated: 4.24 by kylehay2004 from Illinois

Mar 11, 2015
 
Rated: 3 by Drift from California

Dec 08, 2014
 
Rated: 3.25 by david18 from New York

Nov 27, 2014
 
Rated: 4.08 by PJSamora from New Mexico

Nov 21, 2014
Photo of MilwaukeeCrusher
Reviewed by MilwaukeeCrusher from Wisconsin

3.75/5  rDev -0.8%
Did a flight, service was good despite some taproom congestion. Beers were OK to good, but not great. Might stop again if I'm in the area, but wouldn't make a special trip.
Nov 13, 2014
 
Rated: 3.5 by gatheredwaters from Vermont

Nov 11, 2014
 
Rated: 4.6 by Joshplank

Nov 01, 2014
Photo of Irrenarzt
Reviewed by Irrenarzt from New Mexico

3.5/5  rDev -7.4%
Santa Fe Brewing isn't exactly a tourist mecca, but the beer is clean (mostly) and the locals will likely burn a bowl with you if you ask around. There is a funny septic tank smell at times, but that's being resolved as they need to tap into the local sewer line.

Overall, it's still the best Santa Fe has to offer.
Sep 24, 2014
 
Rated: 4 by Aleckbg from Texas

Sep 12, 2014
 
Rated: 4 by Zard from New Mexico

Sep 11, 2014
 
Rated: 4.44 by taospowder from New Mexico

Sep 07, 2014
 
Rated: 4 by LXIXME from New Mexico

Sep 02, 2014
 
Rated: 3.5 by charleslueg from Texas

Jul 19, 2014
Photo of blindpiggie
Reviewed by blindpiggie from Colorado

3.64/5  rDev -3.7%
vibe: 3.5 | quality: 3.5 | service: 3.5 | selection: 4
Not exactly what I was expecting from one of the widest distributing breweries in the southwest, this place has the vibe of an all-ages frat house. Nice looking bar area, but that's about it as the rest if the brewery seems as though it hasn't been improved upon in the 20+ years of business. We found the balcony on the second level which has really nice views of the mountains and a well patronized ping-pong table. Beer is mostly what hits distro, but the pricing is almost absurdly cheap even on packaged beer. The bar was slammed almost constantly and the single bartender on duty seemed a bit frazzled, which was understandable. Overall a fun place, but not anywhere I'd take the family.
Jun 05, 2014
 
Rated: 3.75 by kvnklingler from Ohio

Feb 10, 2014
 
Rated: 3.75 by buckyp from South Carolina

Jan 16, 2014
 
Rated: 3.25 by BeerPHD from Texas

Jan 01, 2014
Photo of ONovoMexicano
Reviewed by ONovoMexicano from New Mexico

4.22/5  rDev +11.6%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4.25 | service: 4 | selection: 4.5
I grew up in Santa Fe and Northern New Mexico and often heard about this place, about shows here, and never knew back then that a local, homegrown establishment was leading the charge to bring good craft beer to America's homes. For 25 years---their anniversary party was 6/29--- these guys have been offering good beer and I was shamefully oblivious to this for at least 18-20. That's appalling.

Do yourself the favor and find out about this place. Pay a visit. Drink the beer. I can't vouch for the food because I didn't eat any, but remember first and foremost this is a brewing company. Appreciate the beer.

Here's my rundown of the beers I really enjoy:

Imperial Java Stout- The java in the name is your clue. This thing pours dark as night and could easily be confused for a cup of coffee. But it's smooth, has a great mouthfeel and can even be drank on a hot summer day.

Happy Camper IPA- Again, a smooth and drinkable beer. This beer is more malty than hoppy on the nose, but the hops come through on the tongue. It's a fine balance of malts and hops. A great BBQ beer.

Freestyle Pilsner- Clean, crisp, exactly how the European forebears have been doing it for ages. Another summer beer or for when you're too full for a big beer.

Saison 88- A brand new beer that debuted at the anniversary party. This is a great summer drink as well. Wheaty, fruity, with hints of wine or grapes, this had a good complexity to it.

Chicken Killer- A barleywine, this one is less hoppy than most I've encountered recently. There are certainly wine-like elements to this beer, though this comes from the prune, plum, raisin hints on the tongue.

Kickin Chicken- This beer I like, although it will throw off many. It's a barrel-aged version of the Chicken Killer, so in theory it's a barleywine, but it took on some major sour characteristics. If you like sours, you'll like this.

There are a number of other beers on tap like the Brown, the Pale Ale, and the State Pen Porter that I've enjoyed in the past but can't remember well enough to comment on. Bottom line, the beer here is good.

As for the venue, it's very different from other breweries in New Mexico. The tap room is small, but the outdoor patio and the second floor patio are unique.

Oh, and the $4 pours are a steal!
Sep 16, 2013
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Reviewed by jonharter from Texas

3.64/5  rDev -3.7%
vibe: 3.5 | quality: 3.5 | service: 4 | selection: 3.5
My friends and family frequent this tap room on our trips to Santa Fe. The service is always great. One server happily put a Spurs game on the TV for us during the NBA playoffs. You can order food from a few nearby restaurants and the beer is great!!
Aug 24, 2013
Photo of calcio360jrd
Reviewed by calcio360jrd from Florida

5/5  rDev +32.3%
vibe: 5 | quality: 5 | service: 5 | selection: 5
Right outside of town in santa fe is the santa fe brewing company, a great place to get a great brew. This hidden gem produces some great beers, including kickin chickin bourbon barrel aged barleywine and the imperial java stout, 2 of my favs that i think are some of the best in the style worldwide. Get the sampler of all the beers on tap, i believe it was $5 or $6, best all time deal the last time i was there, for that price i tried all 11 of there beers on tap and chicken killer from an open bottle. Brewery was getting some new and better equipment last time i was there, the tour was very good, and the tasting room is small and quaint, the bartenders know what they are talking about. All in all a great place that every time im in santa fe i make sure to visit!
Jun 28, 2011
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Reviewed by canucklehead from Canada (BC)

3.83/5  rDev +1.3%
vibe: 3.5 | quality: 4 | service: 4 | selection: 3.5 | food: 4
Way out of town right close to the State Pen this is a place for locals ( unless you are a big beer fan you would never drive this far out of town) to eat and have beer. I went at lunch and it was semi busy with military guys (officers) drinking Ice Tea at the next table. The vibe inside is low key and relaxed but the food is decent and the beer selection is pretty good with the State Pen Porter being the best beer. Get the sampler as some beers are not great. The brewery is across the parking lot and you can buy canned six packs there though Trader Joes has them cheaper for some reason.
Mar 15, 2011
Santa Fe Brewing Company in Santa Fe, NM
Brewery rating: 3.7 out of 5 with 4500 ratings