New Mexico Beer Guide 2016 updated

I gave them a few random tries over their first year and never found anything worthwhile from them until they neared their one year mark and released that Land of Manana hoppy farmhouse ale, which I really enjoyed. Since then I have kept going back and have honestly enjoyed many of their seasonal/rotating beers. I remain a big fan of their Radical Aim IPA, I am currently digging their Desert Dynamo Pale Lager (though, admittedly, the moments the hops fade in that thing, that beer will lose all its luster), I enjoyed their 2017 NM IPA challenge entry Hazillionaire (a NE Styles Farmhouse IPA).

Their line-up of flagship beers is, to put it nicely, underwhelming, IMO. I enjoyed what I tasted of that Scotch Ale they offer but I only had a small pour so my opinion (and current rating) is far from reliable at this point.

They aren't a great brewery, I certainly can see how others focus their drinking capital elsewhere, but I enjoy them for the most part. I also really like their taproom/beer hall, which certainly contributes to my opinion of them. (Service has also improved a lot.).

 

This is a great thread with some great info! I'll be headed to Albuquerque for a golf trip in mid August, and as a huge IPA fan (both West Coast and Northeast), I wasn't sure what to expect. To don't hear much about NM beers in Cali. Looks like there will be some great options around town!

I'll be there three nights and my friend will likely only countenance a brewery or two, since he's a foodie and wino lol. Looks like I'll shoot for two of LaCumbre, Marble, or Bosque based on whichever ones have the best Hops on tap at the time (kinda on a hazy kick again after burning out for a while).

Do most of the places Crowler or sell cans to go? If I find anything good I'd like to take some home with me to share with friends :-)

Cheers!

 

La Cumbre has been canning their new IPA, El Jugo. All three of those breweries will fill a growler, but I think Canteen might be the only place that does crowlers.

 

Thanks!

 

Quarter Celtic does crowlers and they have a NE IPA in their rotation. I'm not much a fan of theirs so I wouldn't bother with then myself, but that's just imo.

 

Does anyone know if the el jugo alters from can date to can date or are they dialed in with what they want? Saw some 4 day old stuff at grocery store. Nice to see this sort of quick turn around. They just had 7/14. Now 7/24. Solid price. No hype. Great flavor.

 

Jugo today was at True NE style haziness. Definitely felt softer. Nothing like my 7/13-14 cans. I'll try some 7/24 today and try to compare to today's experience.

Softest creamiest haziest IPA I have seen in this state here today.

 

Thanks for the feedback guys. The only thing that has altered about this beer since we started canning is pitch rate and wort oxygenation. That has taken a bit of dialing in to get the esters that we want and limit the amount of yeast going into the package. The last batch of this Summer seasonal (sorry guys) is in the fermenter as we speak and should be being released in 2 weeks or so.

While Dank's Not Here didn't perform all that well at the NMIPAC, we all think it's pretty epic and should be on tap next week, but I think there are only 3x .5 bbls of that left. It is 100% Golden Promise and we used the same yeast as El Jugo for that beer. We will continue to play around with this yeast throughout the year on our pilot system and are considering a Winter Seasonal with it.

Honestly, we would have considered making El Jugo year-round, but the sell through was just not there to justify it. I felt we put our best foot forward, but Albuquerque just doesn't appear to be ready to embrace this style of beer just yet.

 

Does this mean you're going to starting offering a rotation of canned seasonals? That would be really cool.

Also, tried your Mosaic Smash this weekend. Best single hopped mosaic beer I have tried. its a hop I am very hit or miss with, this was a definite hit.

 

Going to be in town the week of 8/7. Any chance El Jugo will be available?

 

Thanks for the info

 

Thanks. We are going to start offering some canned seasonals. What form that takes, I can't be sure.

 

Probably.

 

Well that's a bummer...will make sure to grab a few more 4 packs before it's gone until next year

 

If that ever takes the form of South Peak Pilsner, I wouldn't complain.

 

Duly noted! I would love that... maybe a throwback to some of the original recipes that were unfiltered...

 

Surprised there isn't any talk on here about the IPA Challenge results. I'd like to hear the opinions of the trusted folks here on BA as to what you thought of the beers.