New Mexico Beer Talk

After meeting up with onovomexicano at la cumbre (thx for the bottle, miggs), was able to get a taste of exodus at canteen late last night--very solid Ipa. And took his suggestion to hit chocolate and coffee fest -- marble chocolate with some coffee el robusto made for a very nice combo. Impressed with the beer scene in ABQ!

 

A pleasure meeting you @belgbeerdrinker .

 

On another note, who's excited for more beer releases from New Mexico's best?

Canteen's releasing a rum barrel-aged Old Ale to mug club members today before it goes on sale to the public. That's exciting. They also have Exodus on tap, as @miggs3030 pointed out.

La Cumbre is getting ready to drop Father Nelson again and that just makes my heart content.

As spring is practically here, I assume Marble will be soon releasing Farmhouse 111 and we might even be lucky and get it in bottles this year. Who's ready to raise a shitstorm to make that bottling happen?

 

Do you know when Father Nelson will be available? I am going to be in ABQ for work next week Mon-Wed, would be stoked if timing were to work out.

Second question, is there anywhere in town that sells styro shippers?

 

I don't know when it'll be available but I don't think next week. Cross your fingers though.

As far as styros, I don't have the slightest clue about that. Sorry I'm not of more help.

 

Got some hopeful news at Jubilation today: seems Ballast Point and Founder's are looking at entering the New Mexico market. Ballast Point is cool I guess--- I'll drink a Grapefruit Sculpin or two. But Founder's? Holy shit if I won't buy Founder's Imperial Stout by the caseload.

Exciting stuff.

Looks like we'll also finally get St. Bernardus, Duchesse du Bourgogne and some other Belgians too. Great news.

Now if Firestone Walker and Great Divide would stop dragging their feet and enter the market like rumors have suggested since 2013...

 

WOW! I love me some Founder's Breakfast Stout. Regular sculpin when fresh is word class. I think it will find a nice niche here.

What does that do for shelf space though? Who loses out at Jubilation? Founder's can seemingly come in with their regulars and take up half a shelf at many places. Even Ballast Point has their shelf turd APAs and IPAs. Competition is really heating up. Our beer stores need to make the necessary changes to get it done right. I don't want less options but with limited shelf space and places unwilling to grow, I'm not sure if this is such a great thing. Quality > Quantity. Those two aren't bad options at all though. With every two great breweries joining NM distribution, there always a few others that aren't great.

This really pushes the local breweries to get into canning ASAP. They won't just be losing out to marble or La Cumbre.. These regional giants are finding our market barren and have a means to do something right now

 

Our stores can easily make room by getting rid of the BMC stuff, then Magic Hat, then the Rogue beers.

 

Mother Road Brewing from Flagstaff should be arriving to New Mexico here shortly too. I'm a fan of their beers.

 

Miggs, please leave some Father Nelson for the rest of us. Thanks.

 

Shelves need to expand at many locales. It seems like we'll get something new, and the old stuff never comes back. I may be at fault too. I can't quite remember which beers or breweries get replaced for the "new guys". I guess they weren't memorable after all.

Then again, if our area can't sell some stuff that has a August 2014 born on date, I don't know if expanded selection would do anyone any good (looking at you total wine).

I want more all around but don't think our area is up for that task to drink it. We tend to only drink Odell, Left Hand, Marble, Santa Fe, and La Cumbre (from what Ive grasped at random customers at places I buy beers a).

I may be looking too much into it. We've waited this long. But LC mentioned "easter eggs". I know it lends to hidden clues in movies and video games etc. But with Easter right around the corner, I would not look past next Tuesday, April 7th for Father Nelson.

 

From La Cumbre's FB page:

"Are your tastebuds ready to experience hop insanity? Join us for our tap & bottle release Tuesday, April 7th. Are you current member of our Mug Club? Well you're in luck... you get a chance to taste and pick up your bottles a day early 4/6/15. Come see whats been going on in our new brewhouse while you enjoy one of the most hoppy beers we've ever brewed!"

 

Pretty tasty stuff. Well done Jefe...

 

It's great to see New Mexico well represented on the podium:

http://northamericanbrewers.org/sites/default/files/NABA-2015-WinnersByCategory.pdf





Pobre Nuevo Mejico, Tan Lejos del Cielo y Tan Cerca de Tejas.