New Mexico Beer Guide 2016 updated

Will be in Albuquerque this summer, and this post has answered so many questions. Thanks!

 

Whole Foods on Carlisle had 6 bottles of Parabola at 8 pm Saturday.

 

Made the trek to Boxing Bear the other day and it really does suck how far out of the way from the rest of the city it is. Beers were all really good but the travel just isn't worth it. At least not when places like Marble, La Cumbre and Bosque are all nearby.

While I am not much of a kolsch fan, they have kolsch on tap, New Mexikolsch, that I could drink the crap out of. Really enjoyed that one.

Some disappointing news, Radical Aim has kicked at Bow & Arrow and the bartender there said not to expect it to come with the new head brewer in tow. Guess that recipe belonged to the prior head brewer? Major bummer as that was THE beer that really kept me going back there.

 

That sucks. B&A took a year to get into the Haze and now the new brewer wants to do their own thing? Typical new person personality syndrome. Someone (anywhere/place in general) needs to takeover and jump on the haze train 24/7. Hints of Father Nelson/Scale Tipper/El Jugo are nice but a dedicated 100% juice bomb IPA/DIPA brewer needs to happen already. Other areas have those dedicated breweries and they are doing very WELL. There is no reason that in the land of the brewing news IPA winning beer for 4-6 years straight that we struggle to have the really great juicy beers on top NON stop.

 

I think Quarter Celtic is doing just that, re: jumping on the haze train. Clark seems to have made it into their rotation semi regularly now. As much as I don't care for their beers, Clark is quality. The latest batch is probably the juiciest one yet, imo. I personally liked El Jugo more than Clark, but for those who love the more traditional NE style pale, Clark is probably the better choice. Both are better than Marble's initial try, which was decent but green.

And I really don't see how Radical Aim was a part of the haze/NE train. Seemed west coast style with a new age hop combo. I fiund it quite Simcoe heavy myself...which was great since I love Simcoe hops.

 

Not sure if I am accurate in stating it to be a more traditional NE style pale....but it is definitely a straight up juice bomb with barely any bitterness.

 

Excuse me for this rant thats about to begin

I think I'm burnt out. Burnt out of $5-$6 pints of seemingly solid, if not sometimes mediocre products by many of these new places. In the days of so many new places, I feel I dont have to try them all. Not to scare breweries but I can remember the days of just Marble and La Cumbre brewery treks with a sprinkle of Il Vicino, Turtle, and Chama. Quality has for sure gotten better. But those were fun and exciting days. I dont have to trek as far now. I'm on a slow decline on checking in beers. I wonder how many others feel this same way? We have Santa Fe brewing expanding like crazy (who really buys their solid-mediocre products anymore?), and Boese still trying to pawn off expensive bombers.. Same with Tractor

Btw, has anyone been to a Isotopes game this year? Has their beer selection gotten better? I doubt it has.

I want the BS to stop and there to be some thinning of the herd. But at the same time, when I was in El Paso for a horse race, I saw no local options and big beer dominated. So I still lean heavily towards flavor. Yet I havent been to half of the new places (quarter celtic- nope, drafty kilt- nope, new kaktus location- nope, 377- nope,duel DT- nope, sidetrack- nope, lobo 101/mantanza or any other NG place except NHBG-nope). I did hit up Steel Bender but more than likely, its just a principle and cost thing anymore. I can buy some solid Deschutes or Odell or Lagunitas, or local packaged options at such a better value. And as a 7-8 year member of Marbles "mug club", I have no desire to check out any of their events for their 9th year anniversary.

I think the burn out is real and I hope breweries prepare for it, especially in NMs economic landscape. Its fun to try new stuff for awhile but $30 taps twice a week with nothing to really show for it aren't a lasting thing. Affordable canned or bottled products is the new wave places need to jump on ASAP, and not this limited in quantity (but mediocre tasting) bomber stuff.

Anymore in a months time, its one trip to La Cumbre and one to Marble, with a Jubilation and TW trip mixed in. I feel like as an avid "advocate"/homebrewer/ I'm immersed physically with great stuff, but mentally, I'm checked out.

 

@ONovoMexicano Nice differing mindset. Great reminder actually.

I guess you could call it a rut if you are here too long without much of a break. I do remember White Plains, NY area taprooms/bar scenes (I have family out there and trek up there once a year), and that should truly be cemented in my mind. We do have it great. I guess I see it as maybe being "better" if places really tried and some places going more package friendly. Cost is cheap in the ABQ area, but so are wages etc.. Breweries are playing with fire.. And we generally dont seem to know how good we have it until its too late.

I'm not afraid to admit when I'm wrong. No brewery seems to be really struggling (as far as patrons and sales), so the majority know how good they have it. I guess I'm just a dud of the bunch. I guess we have our ruts from time to time with various hobbies Anymore it just feels like Id rather save any and all money that would go towards beer and just not buy beer, whether its short lines, or short drives. But all that may be better suited for another thread.

Good info on the SF scene. If one just unleashes and unwinds, like most SFians are to begin with, you can grab a beer without a fight or competition, and just enjoy life. As a whole I want to say we are all pretty laid back, but that makes for some breweries and businesses trying to sneak in various hidden costs or lower qualities. Im just not set for being low key any more when it comes to beer. Time to fast, and come back with a fresh mind. Not everyone is out to get my beer money, but it certainly feels that way after some very average beers.

 

Well I have been in NM for a couple weeks. Good beer if you stick to the well known ones.

Prices are not bad, tonight we had $4 pints of Elevated at the Plaza Hotel in Las Vegas, the other one. Prices were not too bad in ABQ or Santa Fe.

The wife had one with Diacetyl. I thought the Marble Pilsner at the tap room was rushed and not crisp and refreshing as I remembered .
Fire and Hops was worth two visits.

We stopped into Chili Line brewing/the Italian Pizza place. The Rauchbier were maybe the best we have had in the US. It may not get much love, but as a couple who love Rauchbier in Bamberg, those were really enjoyable. The woodfired pizza was a good match.

Last night we were at Chama Brewing, I had a Golden German Lager that was pretty good, had three and dinner. Thanks for the rides Lyft.

My observation is that all taps are from NM, with the exception of a FW sour at Fire and shops.

 

Wasn't on when we were there. On our way to Denver tomorrow.

 

Just to be clear, the beer with Diacetyl was not an Elevated IPA. That has been the default go to on this trip. Excellent beer every time, widely available.

 

While I land much more in line with @ONovoMexicano I do share some sentiments @Oktoberfiesta.

There is zero burn out on my end. I continue to love being able to hit up the local taprooms and drink great beer. I like the availability of new beers to try. At this point, 95% of my taproom visits are at Marble and Bosque and to a much lesser degree La Cumbre...whose beer I think is great (objectively, I think they produce the best beer in NM...though Marble remains my personal fav) but whose taproom I don't tend to enjoy, as I find it too small, crowded and cramped. Having the random visits to Bow & Arrow (which is slowed down immensely now that Radical Aim is no longer available) and Boxing Bear (which is only so limited because of the inconvenience of its location) remains a nice luxury to our scene. I know I can go to any of those breweries (now other than Bow & Arrow) and find a great beer to drink. Being that I love to sample new things there always remains a chance a beer I buy will be a dud too. That's okay though, I know my next beer I go for won't be. Can't say that about other places though. Albuquerque is loaded with so much mediocre to straight up poor breweries. I will always give a new place a shot but I am generally leaving these new places underwhelmed and unsatisfied. At this point in time, first impressions can be make or break for me. So if my first impression is not positive, there's a good chance I move on. At best, I am taking a break. Most local spots have become one and dones.

The biggest thing lacking in Albuquerque is variety, IMO. Generally speaking, breweries are producing only the basic styles of beer. IPA's, Ambers, Stouts, Porters, etc. The one thing a little unique that we offer is a nice rotation of lagered beers (which is awesome). Kettle soured beers are starting to pop up with some guys (like Dialogue) but I have been less than impressed with what I have tried. We don't have any specialty breweries though, those focusing on a set niche (like saisons, German beers, wild ales etc.). I think that is really needed. I know Santa Fe has Rowley Farmhouse...but considering they don't package, I can't consider them local.

We also lack quality beer bars. There isn't a bar in town that I think is worth visiting in place of a brewery.

I will say, I do miss Colorado's beer scene. While Albuquerque's scene is solid, and our best breweries can stand toe to toe with Colorado's best breweries, the scene as a whole cannot hold a candle to the scene going on in Denver, or Fort Collins, or Boulder, IMHO. Those areas not only have lots of breweries to choose from, but they have lots of quality breweries to choose from. There is so much variety available. They have amazing beer bars. They have wonderful distribution.

 

I enjoyed Rolled to Prost but really dug that saison. I kinda wish they didn't bother with the grape juice, same as I always wish Funkwerks wouldn't waste that grape muste in their Nelson Saison, but even with the grape juice included I thought it was really enjoyable.

Speaking of Bosque, they have a Citra Lager on tap right now.....that stuff is dangerous. I don't want to say its better than that Simcoe Pilsner from last year, but I won't say it isn't either. Probably comes down to which hop variety you prefer. I prefer Simcoe by the slimmest of margins I think.

I'd argue they always have a few great beers on tap with their Pilsner, Red and Oatmeal Stout constants. Ever since they opened their facility in the NE Heights with their pilot system, their taplists have become, arguably, the best in town. A constant rotation of pilot beers of nice variety, including a frequent rotation of barrel aged stuff. Right now they have their 9th Anniversary beer on tap, a Maibock, and it is one of the best Maibocks I have yet to try. They also released a barrel aged sour with cherries, but I skipped that one in favor of their SMASH styled saison, which I think is really damn good.

Good, glad to see I am not the only one who thinks their food flat out sucks. Clark is quite enjoyable though. The rest of their lineup....meh.

 

I had to decide between that Hans Cholo and 7 Horseman Saison....went for the saison, that being my favorite beer style and there not being enough of them around this neck of the woods. Had to take advantage while I could. Next time though.

Only hit up Sidetrack once, back when I was living a few blocks away, and found them to be 100% forgettable. I always enjoy a nice pilsner though, so will have to give them another shot. Maybe next weekend when I will be down there for a concert.

 

There's no arguing that Denver and the front range are a really mature craft market. The availability of beer there is the numero uno reason why you have good beer bars. There just aren't that many breweries that want to drop beer in NM because you are either sending 1 pallet at a time (really $$$ prohibitive) or you are sending enough that you have old beer on shelves and it just doesn't make $$$ sense to put a brand rep in this market for the majority of breweries. Between GDP/capita, population, demographics, and the emphasis on the locals, NM would be a very hard sell for most breweries outside the state.

As far as the variety, the average salary in the front range combined with the maturity of that market make it a place where restauranteurs, cocktailiers and brewers alike can really specialize in unique.

I won't lie and say that I'm not a little old school in my beer preferences. That being said, I feel that Marble, Bosque and La Cumbre go out on a fair amount of limbs and more often than not, the results are good to great. Steel Bender will be starting to brew up some barrel-aged sours in the not too distant future. They have to cover the bases and so far, I think Bob has done a really good job of that. Honestly, I can't think of a brewery anywhere in recent memory that has opened with a higher quality lineup. Sure, I worked with him for 2 years, so I'm biased, but I honestly feel he's doing really well, and I know what his aspirations are, and I know what his abilities are and I am confident he is going to wow some people in the upcoming months and years.

If I felt that our market was ready for a brewery that specialized in German styles, I would have already opened one... Alas, our market is pretty well saturated and I fear that the customer base just isn't there yet for such a brewery/tap room.

I really appreciate all of the thoughtful and honest prose on this thread. Keep it coming.