New Mexico Beer Guide 2016 updated

Speaking of Bosque, they have their imperial version of their Bosque IPA, aka Bosque IPA x2, on tap right now. Tried it once and thought it was great. Will definitely be re-visiting that one.

I have managed to empty out my fridge of a lot of that bundle of GABF goodies I brought back with me from Denver. Probably have a week, maybe two, before another beer run is due. Will definitely grab a six pack of Bosque IPA cans then.

I also read that Odell Myrcenary IIPA cans are now available in six packs an in NM, I really want to grab a sixer of that...but really don't need 12 cans/bottles of IPA's sitting in my fridge.....so will have to prioritize.

 

Born Yesterday is in stores now. Whole Foods on Carlisle has stacks of it, $9.99 a six-pack.

 

Quarter Celtic just tapped a NE Style IPA, Clark. Definite miss for me. I haven't had any of the NE NE-Style IPA's but have had a few of the Colorado ones, such as Odd 13's Superfan and Weldworks Juicy Bits, so have an idea what they should be when done well...and this one was not. Honestly, ever since my initial visit to QC, I have left my visits there disappointed.

Marble has their first beer from the new NE Height facility on tap (downtown), Eastbound & Brown, a English Brown Porter. I was not impressed, not up to Marble's standards.

Did hit up Dialogue and tried their Saison, a 4.2% session beer. Reminded me a lot of Stillwater's Classique (though that is lagered), which is a very good thing. I don't usually care for the French styled saison (which I assume this one is as banana was quite prominent, which I associate with the french style saison....though I could totally be wrong for doing that) but in light of the lower abv, it worked for me. I will definitely re-visit this one and return back to try more of their offerings. I only stayed for the one beer as the place was packed (some political meet up going on) and the only room to sit was outside, which was cold.

Lastly, Bosque has been striking gold lately. First up was the Bosque IPA x2, now they have Olde Bosquy Cafe (a coffee porter) and Red Lightning (a bourbon barrel aged imperial red ale) on tap. All are really good.

 

Deschutes Chasin Freshies - Centennial Version is also in stores now. Love this beer and this years variation with the Centennial hop is my favorite variation so far.

 

Correction, should be whiskey barrel aged imperial red ale. Not bourbon.

 

Props to @ONovoMexicano for imparting all the knowledge. You've been so much help over the years.

After reading through the thread, it looks like there have been lots of changes in the last year or two. I'm about to make a trip to El Paso and Ruidoso and will hit Side Door & Billy Crews for my Elevated fix, but it looks like there may be some other packaged options I need to try. Looks like Bosque is canning now and it sounds like I need to try that. Any other packaged options I need to look for? I may make a trip to Celebration, if something warrants. What about Ruidoso? Anything new there? Still just hit the Walgreens and hope for the best?

 

Bosque just released their Imperial Coffee Brown aged in Bourbon Barrels in bombers. It is pricey at $17.99 a bottle but worth it, IMO. I really enjoyed the base beer and it works great with the bourbon barrels.

Between this and Red Lightning (their Imperial Red Ale Aged in Whiskey Barrels) I am quite impressed with their small barrel program this year. Got to admit to not having been a fan of last years Bourbon Barrel Aged Imperial Stout.

 

I guess it depends on your preferences but I would highly recommend Marble's Pilsner if you are a fan of the style. Personally, its my favorite NM beer.

 

That's definitely on my list. I've loved all the Marble stuff I've had. I'm an IPA guy, but I like everything.

 

Anyone been to Boxing Bear lately? They had a few of their GABF winners come back around on tap, and some in bombers.. I am not dropping $12 on a normal abv IPA bomber. I just can't. Sorry Bear Knuckle. I'm not even buying Dank in bombers anymore.

Bosques BA bombers are enticing, But I spent a grip on OB's BA ten fidy, So I can only push my budget so far. I saw the red lightning for $14 at one place.

I guess you can say I'm loosening up a bit. Been going to Red Door and Bow & Arrow with a few co workers/friends/family lately. Lineups are decent. I guess I havent been in the "beer geek judging" mood. Just drinking with good people.

I will say, I haven't really steered away from the Vanilla Mocha Double Porter at Red Door, and the Vanilla Bean Stout at Bow & Arrow are some darn solid products. There does seem to be something for everyone for the most part now. Red Doors white IPA is not for me. Something with the witbier style spices/yeast blending with piney hops makes for an odd combo. Threshold IPA is acceptable. At each place, the flavored stouts are pretty much all I have been ordering so I can't say too much about anything else. Bow & Arrow had a light crisp Marzen over the weekend. Couldn't really find much to complain about on that one. There is one place.... Rio Bravo that I don't know if I can find a beer to enjoy there while in good company. These other places are doing acceptable jobs imho.

I'm seeing 3-4 new breweries have opened around town. Saturation is close. But not there yet. I was at Applebees the other day (I know I know), and they had no local draft options. I had also visited Sadies ( I know I know @ONovoMexicano ), RB seems to be out, and there are three Bosque beer options. Either they rotate like crazy on sold stuff, or rotate out the non selling, I just dont know. Good to great beer is actually winning out in some instances.

 

Well....my trip is nearing an end. I tried a bunch of NM and Arizona beers that I can't get in Texas. More good than bad...My biggest disappointment was the Ruidoso Walgreens that used to have all the Marble and some other NM beers. This time....nothing. I asked the cashier and he pointed me to the close out rack and said they were getting rid of the local beers. Apparently, there is a new Albertsons in town. If they don't have a good selection, there's nothing left in this town.

 

Speaking of new breweries, I have been very pleased with Dialogue. I love a nice low abv sessionable beer and that has been what these guys have been doing best so far. I haven't been impressed with their higher abv beers yet, but their low abv beers (say 5% and less) have all been quite enjoyable. And I am a HUGE fan of their Saison, which is 4.2%. I keep going back there tgo drink more of that one and have yet to be let down. Between that and Marble's Pilsner, Albuquerque is currently offering me some fantastic session beers. I am very happy with that.

Speaking of Marble....props to them for vamping up their pilot system. Past couple months they have been throwing out a ton of new beers, leaving me no room to complain about their taproom selection anymore. They currently have a dunkel on tap that I am really, really digging. There is room for tweaking and improving but, man, would I love to see this beer make it to cans.

 

I appreciate our local breweries bottling some stuff, but why is it always $9.99 and above? That format is played out. I even see people complain about Bosque releasing their beers mainly at $9.99/sixer, which I thought was a solid value. I know Rio Bravo has cans at $9.99 (none of which I have ever had the urge to buy, when La Cumbre is the same price lol). We need more wide spread standard formats ASAP.

I guess everyone has different triggers and values set in their minds.

Boese has had numerous bomber releases. Same with Ponderosa, and even the likes of Bosque. I just cant get behind that shit. Now I hear many others want to get in the packaging game. Lagunitas and SN are killing it on a value scale. Not far behind is Oskar Blues and Founders, The likes of Upslope and Avery try. I just don't know. The current local value is Marble, LC, and a slight third to Santa Fe. Fourth to Bosque. Boxing Bear selling their IPA in a bomber for $12 is an absolute joke. I can get almost 4x the amount of elevated, or 5x the amount of bosque IPA, or even 1.5x the amount of project dank ( one of the most over priced beers in NM history). Great amazing etc. But formidably overpriced.

Did anyone try the Bosque SMASH with a South African Hop variety? I think it was out a week back or so.

Just saying, 95% of my beer budget is going to out of state package beer in 4 or 6 can/bottle formats. Our state better step up ASAP

 

I tried the SMASH Pale Ale with the single hop variety fron South Africa from Bosque. It was solid but nothing special.

If you want to discuss bottle pricing, I bought a 750 ml bottle of Casey's The Cut: cherry while in Denver. $40. I almost had a heart attack when it got rung up (but curiosity forced me to keep it). I didn't even enjoy the beer when I got around to drinking it.

My line in the sand with bottles is pretty much $20. Anything starting with a 2 or greater will be ignored 99% of the tine (exceptions were made this past Black Friday). I have come to accept that its going to cost to try the barrel aged and wilde offerings, so at this point I do and try not to complain. At least its a cheaper hobby than wine. But, yeah there are styles whose value falls short in bombers....like the mentioned IPA's...largely because there are comparable, if not better, alternatives available in 4/6 packs.

 

Casey is making some of the best wild ales in the country. I can't believe you didn't like it.

 

If you have any other bottles you purchased that you don't want, I'll gladly drink them for you

 

I've had 4 different Casey beers now. 2 I thought were great, the other 2 did not work for me....Cherry Cut being one of the latter. I was able to also grab a Blackberry Fruit Stand at the same time I picked up the Cherry Cut and I did think that one was great. I am not much of a fruited beer fan but I do like the occasional one and that Blackberry Fruit Stand was one of the best fruited beers I have tried.

All my Casey beers are drank up. Now I just have some barrel age stouts and a barrel aged barleywine from my trip waiting to be opened.

 

https://nmdarksidebrewcrew.com/2016/12/09/marble-mellows-out-after-a-manic-2016/

Interesting article on the recent growth at Marble.

 

Will be in Santa Fe from December 26th - 30th. Just read through the whole thread for recs. Thanks for keeping this thread updated... Really looking forward to the trip. Will likely make a day trip to Albequerque and Taos while we are around as well. Must get to La Cumbre at some point (missed out when we were threre this summer).

Will likely bring some various Austin beers with me (maybe even a SPON or two...).

 

If you want to share some beers while you're in ABQ let me know. I hope you have a good trip.