New Mexico Beer Guide 2016 updated

Crazy. I can account for half of one case alone. When I returned Saturday, they had taken off the ST bomber info on the chalkboard. Then I saw them wheel in 6 more cases. They weren't exactly advertising it Saturday. So I'm unclear of their intentions. Staff seemed sort of unclear as well on limits and what not.

It's tasting amazing though. Maybe a touch more vibrant on draft, but that may be all in my head.

There is also a certain big box retailer that is sitting on 6 cases without a single one on the shelf. It also appears that places price point is some $2 more than the brewery. $10 is pretty ridiculous but I tend to induldge 3-4 times a year. $12 is just an easy pass all together.

 

Latest, and final?, of the Bosque SMASH series now out, El Dorado. I think they are using a different malt for this one, darker/breadier than what was used previously. I liked it but kinda wish they would have stuck with the malt they had been using though, just for comparison.

My rankings of the SMASH series to date.

Citra Smash
Equinox Smash
Huell Melon Smash
Simcoe Smash
El Dorado
Mosaic Smash





Azaca Smash

Would love to try Equinox and Citra side by side in a blind tasting. Huell Melon was great fresh, but didn't think that one aged all that well. Only one in the series I was disappointed in was the Azacca. Never been a fan of Mosaic single hopped beers, which is why it is as low as it is.

Also, I have now had Scale Tipper a few times and am just not all that into that one. I almost think I would rather order a Riverwalker.

 

Love the new batch of scale tipper. Might be the best batch to date IMO.

 

Speaking of Riverwalker, Just had one on draft away from the brewery, and again, it did NOT disappoint. There is this bright lively citrus juicy sort of element overrriding that beer like crazy. Yet I tend to subconsciously want the rarer scale tipper more. It feels like a scale tipper, and could probably pass as one. It has easily surpassed what my taste buds want out of an IPA. Elevated is out, and RW's new brewery couldnt get here any sooner. I need cans of Riverwalker ASAP.
It's less in your face, yet a nicer sweeter tasting beer, without actually being too sweet (if that makes sense).

Maybe I'll just go ahead and get a riverwalker growler tomorrow and go blind with some ST, or order both and go at it at the brewery.

Anyone going to any of the beerfests this weekend? I have no true incentive honestly. Tons of new players at play too.

I did notice La Cumbre is releasing their Wet Hopped Pale Ale tomorrow, called Monzon. No real info on ABV, IBU, or hops used. Scale Tipper set me back on my bomber ban, so I may try a pint. $8 + bombers make me sick. I'm seeing tons of non IPA Bosque, Ponderosa, and Boxing Bear bombers sit.. That format is due for a change. No way im dropping $10 on a bear fuzz sour by Boxing Bear, or $15 on a Ponderosa beer. I just simply can't, and others shouldn't either. It's tough out there. I guess we all make a stand somewhere.. In other parts of the USA, new breweries are canning stuff within months of opening. Not sure how or why that is not feasible here.I guess that rant is for another day

 

Planning on hitting up La Cumbre today to try the Monzon. Will be my first wet hop of the year. Can't wait to try...as well as Bosque's (which i have not gotten to try yet) and Deschutes's Hop Trip and Chasin Freshies.

Hate the pricing of bombers and 750s but cant boycott them, only minimize my purchases of them.

 

I am not sure why, but this one just does not click with me. I do recommend it to others when asked for local recommendations though, as I do recognize its a matter of taste, not quality.

Grabbed a bottle of the La Cumbre Monzon earlier. Not sure if I will drink it tonight or save it for Sunday evening to accompany me during my fantasy football draft,

 

You are correct. Vienna malts were used rather than Crisp for the El Dorado SMASH.

 

Hell no. Lol. In fact I'm pretty sure I'm skipping all local beerfests this year. There's not one fest that is peaking my interest.

 

Some quick hitting impressions.

Monzon Pale Ale by La Cumbre- Not even remotely aromatic for my nose. Sort of a sweet hoppy flavor makes it quite unique.. Not exactly sure I would say its worth a bomber purchase or even a $6 pint. It's very solid. Clean somewhat dry finish. Maybe its the hop blend, but I'd easily put it in that 4/5 range. It's great if youre not named LC and known for hoppy beers. This is average for them imho. I miss WH Project Dank

Panama Joe Coffee Stout by Canteen is like a poor mans FBS. It may be more on a coffee front similar to SF Imperial Java, But I am super excited that they brought back the 8% version and not the 6.5%. I want to say its been a good year since the full strength GABF winner has seen my lips. I also noticed they have a beer list on a piece of paper now describing many of their beers. Maybe its the departure of many going to Quarter Celtic, and them fixing some things But its these little things that are adding up nicely for Canteen. You must adapt to stay in business.

And having Exodus ONLY on nitro and not on draft is a true farce. They are able to can it but they never seem to have it on draft. They need to cask the heck out of that with various hops.. Same with places like Marble with their regular IPA/DIPA. That's why I can appreciate when La Cumbre does cask or firkin beers. Changing up their regular beers ever so slightly goes a long way with me.

 

I agree with all that...other than I definitely preferred it to the WH Project Dank, which didn't wow me last year. I have no complaints with this one. Yes, it is over priced. But that's the nature of hoppy bombers in general. Would I happily spend $10 for a sixer/4 pack of tallboys? Yes; I definitely enjoyed what I drank.

 

Marble has a couple new pilot beers on tap downtown, one being a collaboration with Bosque. Mavericks On Parade is Elephants on Parade mixed with some brett and aged in Chardonnay barrels. Hop Fudge Sunday is a sessionable stout on nitro. I only tried the Hop Fudge Sunday and thought it was really damn good. I wasn't expecting much from a nitro stout, let alone one that was 4.5% abv, as I would have thought all flavor would have been lost.

Also, I don't usually care for oak or barrel aged hoppy beers but Bosque has an Oaked Pale Ale on tap now that I really enjoyed. I am going to have to revisit that one to see if those thoughts hold up or if my initial impression was more about it simply hitting the spot that evening.

 

Ecck Pilot beers are expensive. I am slowly waiting for Bosque to start canning Riverwalk and walk off into the sunset.

Fyi, Just saw Monzon Pale ale for the same price as Project Dank at TW. I realize they set their own prices, but when that stupid imperial popcorn beer sits, alongside some peach fuzz sour, and those ponderosa beers (havent seen that Boese Bros sour dr. strangehop yet) but really WTF, $10s or more, and always bomber format? I have strong words for many places around town.

 

Gave Bow & Arrow another chance and I think I am done with them. Love the space but their beer just does not do it for me. Tried their Lager and it just seemed like a more expensive Bud/Miller/Coors for the most part. It was not offensive but there was nothing interesting or enjoyable about it either.

Also hit up the new Red Door location downtown a couple times now. Got to say, I really enjoy their Downtown Pale Ale. I get why it doesn't get much love/hype, but it totally hits the spot for me. One of the few and only Pale Ales where I can honestly say the sweetness of the malts paired with the (Simcoe) hops are a total benefit to the beer.

 

If there are any northern NM brewers reading this thread, I invite you to please sell your beers in the southeastern part of the state. All we can get on a regular basis are some Santa Fe Brewing offerings(not complaining, I love them) and Marble's Wildflower Wheat.

 

Bosque cans will be coming sooner than you think. Well before the production brewery operations get underway.

 

How far are you from Las Cruces? Your best bet sounds like hitting up the Bosque tap room there and stocking up on growlers and cans (coming soon).

 

3+ hours one way, that's not an option. We used to get some Elevated IPA, haven't seen it in 6 months. I'd love some Marble Oatmeal Stout, haven't seen any of it down here in 2 years. Why don't we get what the rest of the state has access to?

 

Distribution limitations I suppose. If not enough beer is being bought in certain markets then it might not make sense for the breweries to send beer to that market. La Cumbre has moved into more profitable markets like Colorado. Believe or not, it's not always that easy to find Marble oatmeal stout in Albuquerque short of going to one of the taprooms and even then they usually only have it on tap not package.

 

Finally got to try the Wet Hop Acequia from Bosque....and, yeah, it's great. On tap and in bottles now. Also revisited the Pale Oak Logger and enjoyed it as much the 2nd go round as first.

Little Scale Tipper is also on tap right now....but that is weak, IMO.

 

Had this one again and it held up to repeat visits. To add on to its description (which I have since read on their websites) its a milk stout with cacao nibs and cherries and its great.

Also, Marble's Pilsner has definitely become my favorite beer brewed in New Mexico. I can't stop drinking that one.

While on the topic of Marble, their roof top deck has really opened that place up. It is no longer over crowded and a crap shot to find a seat. Now La Cumbre just needs to figure out a trick to open their space up some. Every time I go there after work it is just way too packed for me and i end up turning around. I do really want to try their Baltic Porter they have on tap right now though.