Moving to El Paso, Any BAs/Tasting Groups?

Discussion in 'Southwest' started by decadance, May 30, 2013.

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  1. decadance

    decadance Pundit (759) Mar 14, 2010 Texas

    So, I have been in Kalamazoo, MI for 6 years but a new job at UTEP takes me to El Paso in two weeks. Outside of the Hoppy Monk, I know it is a bit of a wasteland. I am bringing with me a fairly decent cellar, and a steady Michigan hook-up (good friends include a manager at bells, gm at hopcat, head brewer at the Livery, etc). Was curious if there is any BA scene in the greater El Paso area, or will I be driving to Albuquerque or Santa Fe on a regular basis.
     
    #1 decadance, May 30, 2013
  2. icetrauma

    icetrauma Pooh-Bah (1,657) Sep 7, 2004 Texas
    Pooh-Bah

    Dust bowl to my knowledge. Welcome to Texas.
     
    #2 icetrauma, May 30, 2013
  3. beerserks

    beerserks Crusader (458) Oct 19, 2010 Texas

    The Hoppy Monk definitely for a pub. For bottles I always hit up Primos Craft Beer, Spec's, and The Side Door Liquor Store for New Mexico distro (Odell and LaCumbre mainly). You can also find some pretty decent stuff at Western Beverages Liquor Stores and The Liquor Company although Ive noticed they have alot of outdated product so I dont go there as often, but still a good selection. Theres not many BA's here but hey were slowly growing! Good luck with your move man, and welcome to El Paso!
     
    #3 beerserks, May 30, 2013
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  4. Texas_Speed

    Texas_Speed Initiate (0) Aug 22, 2012 Texas

    Welcome to Texas. I'm sure some of us Texans wouldn't mind sending you beers from Houston, Austin, or Dallas in exchange for some of those Michigan beers, especially Bell's.
     
    #4 Texas_Speed, May 30, 2013
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  5. aschwab

    aschwab Initiate (0) Mar 3, 2009 Texas

    From my understanding, EP is about as bad as you can get for a city in Texas for beer. On the bright side, you have Mexico if you want to get kidnapped just miles away.

    New Mexico is moving along and ABQ has some great breweries as well as Santa Fe. You will be able to have some good trips up there for skiing as well.
     
    #5 aschwab, May 30, 2013
  6. kmello69

    kmello69 Initiate (0) Nov 27, 2011 Texas

    I would disagree with this point. El Paso might get limited distribution of some stuff, but its not as bad as you're making it out, and in fact is improving steadily - EP got Abyss distribution before Austin this year, for example, and has done well with other limiteds lately as well. Also, you just have to cross the border into New Mexico to get Odells, LaCumbre, etc. so you have access to 2 state's distribution.

    The thing EP seems to be seriously lacking is a stong beer community. Not much of a presence on BA, and only a few craft bars in town (again, improving, so hopefully something to look forward to). Clearly its no Michigan, but its not Lubbock either.
     
    #6 kmello69, May 30, 2013
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  7. aschwab

    aschwab Initiate (0) Mar 3, 2009 Texas


    Well, in Lubbocks defense, they do have a brewpub and 2 production breweries (wicked beaver and yellow house canyon).

    It also has a 90 tap bar (Crickets) and another craft bar (crafthouse) as well as the Spec's.

    So, I would venture to say that Lubbock may actually be a step ahead of EP. But who is counting. They are both not beer places.
     
    #7 aschwab, May 30, 2013
  8. decadance

    decadance Pundit (759) Mar 14, 2010 Texas


    I also imagine I will be making fairly frequent trips to Austin for events (only have a 1-2 teaching load, so traveling is an option). Just will need a place to crash.

    Oh, and since I can, I will drop some insider info regarding Bell's and Texas while still being super vague(and bury in a thread few will likely open)...Texas will likely see something from Bell's in the future.
     
    #8 decadance, May 30, 2013
    beerserks, illy0sis, Texas_Speed and 1 other person like this.
  9. kmello69

    kmello69 Initiate (0) Nov 27, 2011 Texas


    Thats a rumor we've been desperately hanging onto for a while now. :slight_smile: Good to hear there might be some meat on that bone.

    El Paso to Austin is an 8-9 hour drive, just FYI. Texas is big! We go to EP a few times a year - my wife is from there, and we have family there. When you come to Austin, drop me a line and we'll get together for beer.

    1-2 teaching load? Shit, you're barely working. I'm on a 2-3 and thought that was good (better than the 4-4 I had at Univ. of Minnesota!)
     
    #9 kmello69, May 30, 2013
  10. decadance

    decadance Pundit (759) Mar 14, 2010 Texas

    Oh, there is meat. It was told to me by Marketing Director, who might be related to Larry.
     
    #10 decadance, May 30, 2013
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  11. mattisloco

    mattisloco Maven (1,306) Feb 13, 2007 Texas
    Trader

    El Paso in 100x better than it was 3yrs ago when I started traveling there for work. Hangout at Hoppy Monk and those guys will get you on the right path. I personally like driving up to Las Cruces NM and going to High Desert Brewing. Everything they brew is at least average and the Barleywine is one of the best you've never heard of or had.

    Good luck, welcome to Texas. Next time I'm out there I'll try to meet up with you and your fellow El Paso BA's.
     
    #11 mattisloco, May 30, 2013
    ONovoMexicano and beerserks like this.
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