New Mexico Beer Guide 2016 updated

I really think that Canteen Social Capital is great. It was one of my favorites from Tart at Heart, actually.

 

FYI, I might have had a little bit of a buzz going on with this post. I probably need to give Exodus another try (or 3) before making those proclamations.

 

Yes and No. @denver10. It did win multiple NM IPA challenges before Bosque started to dominate. So it's always really had some great history and backbones since it hasnt always been brewed consistently. On and off for years with months in between. Personally speaking, fresh canned is good, but I only tend to get draft when available. It is NOT at elevateds level imho.

I will say. I had the latest Project Dank in their bomber and thought it was fantastic. Subtle IBU bite but a nice mix of citrus and melon on a flavor front. Sort of hazy looking.. I then had some elevated. That one hits on an explosive aroma front. Super impressed a core everyday offering can do that. it's why Im hesitant anymore to buy the same price on dank as I can for some 2 times more elevated. It's nice for a treat but $$$ is always in the back of my mind with that one

 

Ha, this latest batch of Project Dank was one of my lesser favorite batches personally (still really good). The prior batches, which if I remember correctly you @Oktoberfiesta weren't so hot on, were are actually some of my very favorite. Funny how taste can vary.

Speaking of La Cumbre....they have a Citra SMASH IPA on tap right now...everyone should be rushing over there right now and trying some. That stuff is delicious. Best SMASH IPA I have tried in recent memory. I remember loving the Bosque Equinox and Citra SMASHes...this is at the worst as good as those but probably better, IMO.

Just read that Marble's Brett IPA is coming out at the end of this month. That will be one of those beers where I make an exception to my rule and be being a few bottles of.

 

I do agree with you about their Citra SMASH IPA. Taste buds and palates can definitely shift as some hops just speak more to people than others. For me, this citra smash IPA was one of the best smelling and I know the term is overplayed but juicy IPAs I have ever had from them. Beats the pants off of their El Jugo on so many fronts, including mouthfeel without any of that extra bitterness. That beer really spoke to me yesterday. I'd put it near or at the Nelson series. The whole package was phenomenal. In fact, I would put it within the same realm of the new NY hyped breweries ( OH, LIC BP, SC). It's why I dont trade anymore. @erway maybe it was the batch of citra that you guys used, but continue the SMASH series until the end of time.

I really loved the contrast of that beer (60-70 IBU) compared to a beer like elevated. Maybe it was just how my palate was, but elevated felt almost over the top hoppy. Their cask offerings (one with lactose and the other with extra Denali hops) were great on their own. I guess I just wasn't feeling too hoppy yesterday as citra smash was at my threshold.

I proceeded to Il Vicino/Canteen. Social Capital, their kettle sour, now with pineapple was a super offering imho. Dry, just enough tartness, and really just subtle fruit hints. I didnt catch anything other than the pineapple (which I love). So it was a hit for me.

Exodus had a re try. More or less in the same piney/citrus semi malty wheelhouse as Elevated. I can see why that one has its fans. I wonder who would win in a core beer IPA challenge among ABQ breweries

 

I was thinking a similar thought the other day.

To me, the following would be my local candidates (not familiar enough with Boxing Bear's offerings to include them).

La Cumbre's Elevated and Project Dank

Marbles IIPA and IPA

Bosque's Scale Tipper and IPA

Bow & Arrow's Radical Aim

Canteen's Exodus

Drinking an Exodus from the can right now and it in no way can compete with La Cumbre's offerings like I so foolishly suggested as a possibility previously.

My voting would be the following:

1) La Cumbre's Project Dank
2) La Cumbre's Elevated
3) Marble's IIPA
4) Canteen's Exodus
5) Bosque's Scale Tipper
6) Bow & Arrow's Radical Aim
7) Marble's IPA
8) Bosque's IPA

And I hear you, @Oktoberfiesta, about the aggressiveness of the hops in Elevated. I think that is why Project Dank has over taken it as my favorite. When the mood strikes, Elevated is a thing of beauty and would be by local #1 beer. But when I want a more sessionable, every day drinker, which is most of the time, Elevated can sometimes be a touch more than I need because of the intensity of that hop bomb.

Tried Season One of Rowley's Agent Scully and enjoyed it. I am a sucker for Amarillo hops. Saw that they have a pale ale available for growler fills at Jubilation, then saw the price it was going for. Sorry....no way I am spending $15.99 for a 32 ounce fill of a pale ale. That is all sorts of insanity right there.

 

Hmmm... We weren't trying to make that beer a "NE-style IPA" per se. There are no oats, lactose, or wheat in it. Golden Promise only. We didn't ferment with anything other than our house ale yeast. But we agree with your assessment of it being juicy. And it will definitely be influencing where we go with El Jugo on our production brewhouse. More to come... Cheers.

 

So Marble Pilsner has hit a lull again. Cant seem to find it anywhere but the brewery (in cans). This beer could be a staple for hot days. Instead I'll be drinking non locals (FW Pivo Pils, AVBC G&T Gose, Pilsner Urquell, and DFH Seaquench Ale).

i guess their IPA and Double White sales triumph the pils sales.. Sad stuff seeing it MIA

 

As long as cans of Marble's Pilsner are available at the brewery, I am good. Since moving here I have always been able to have some of that one on hand in my fridge. Currently down to my last can so hopefully when I hit up their taproom on Wednesday for the Brett IPA release I will also be able to grab a sixer of the pilsner as well.

There's always Bosque's Lager...which has dangerously grown on me the more I have drank of it.

 

Is Bosque lager more consistent/better than Bosque IPA in cans? I wont buy it in cans (IPA) until it is brewed in state. Way too inconsistent, yet so frickin good on tap. Its just easier (if time persists) to grab a growler of it.

ABQ Beer Week is on going this weekend and into next week. Anything exciting besides the Brett IPA release? I would be all over this years ago. I guess I'm just not into it too much anymore. Blues and Brews, aside from like 4-5 local breweries that are new, is a huge distributor event. With the likes of Elysian, Ballast Point, and all the other regional giants. We need a smaller fest geared toward local unique beers for sure.. I know theres one in October at the fairgrounds. But we need more of them,

 

I actually don't know.

While I drink a ton of Bosque Lager....its pretty much on tap. My initial experience was definitely the tap version was far superior to the canned one. I haven't noticed as much difference since then....but, honestly, its a small sample size (like 2 or 3 individual cans) spread out over a large window of time.

 

Also, Sleeping Giant has a pretty good reputation as a contract brewer. I noticed the variation in Bosque beers as well (at least initially) so I am not saying they didn't have some issues. Only saying its very possible the quality issues were temporary and there's a good chance that they can be worked out.

 

I have no idea why....since its the same thing just different location...but while I have yet to have a positive experience at the Canteen Brewhouse, I have yet to have an unpleasant experience at the eastside Canteen Taphouse (which I have been hitting up a bunch lately as its right on my way home post-weekday hike). Been generally enjoying the beers there but do have to say the mouthfeel and appearance in much of their offerings are disappointing...like what I would expect from a new, upstart brewery who doesn't yet know how to brew on their new equipment.

 

Marble's Brett IPA is tasting great out of the gate. One of those beers that probably deserves a lot more hype/respect/love than it generates. IMO, this is one of those standout beers that Albuquerque offers.

Can only speculate but Marble also has Saison du Burque back on tap and I think they have tweaked the recipe a little. I think this batch came out a lot better. My impression was the malt bill took on a little more focus at the cost of the hop bill, which wouldn't have been my personal choice, but I think it is now a better brewed beer as a result. I really, really enjoyed it. I would LOVE to see them throw this beer into their flagship rotation, personally. It would join their Pilsner as a staple in my fridge. That said, as a brewery that hypes themselves up for their bold, aggressive flavors....not sure this beer would fit that description. More subtle and low key...but only in a good way!

 

Agree on the Brett IPA! I had the Surley Unbridled last weekend and the Marble is way better in my opinion.

I also just shipped one of my trade partners his 5th Brett IPA today.

 

Hey there, I haven't been posting or even lurking much lately but wanted to say that this thread was super helpful before me and my friend (also used to post here as colonelforbin) visited NM for a 5 night stay. We had a car for first 72 hours, then did all walking and ubers last 2.5 days in sprawling ABQ, we don't mind walking a couple miles to connect a couple spots and never drink and drive. Total for 9 ubers for 2 was just $96 including to and from airport in ABQ.

First day: Fly in, get car, drive to Santa Fe stopped at Kaktus Brewing (2*) on way (met Reid and learned of Gato Fest), had weird AirBnB cancellation so got hotel and it was right next to new place Rowley (4.5*) and Duel (3.5* dinner) on foot, Duel bottle(s) for room.

Second day: SF Plaza, tried to hit Chili Line brewery inside Pizzeria but was closed, hit Blue Corn instead (2.5*), lunch Sweetwater Harvest Kitchen great lunch/waitress, then Second Street @ Railyard (3.5*), Whole Foods mixed 6 pack plus Cumbre Dank bomber for room, Meow Wolf with Duel in lounge, Rowley (great dinner, and Spurs game)

Third day: Sweetwater smoothie for Mike, hit Jemez trail, Tsankawi Ruins in snow, Los Alamos, Battleship Rock, Gilman Tunnels, speed trap in Pueblo of Jemez, ABQ arrival, Nexus (super corporate feel, 2*), Whole Foods couple un-mixed sixers, uber, mexican dinner, Bosque (4.5*), Tractor (3*), uber

Fourth Day: Bistronomy B2B (1.5*, lunch), return car, uber, Cumbre (4.5*), Canteen (3.5*), Broken Trail and Distillery 365 (2*), uber, Dialogue (4*, Shakespeare), Marble (4.5*, foodtruck), uber, Rio Bravo (2.5*) - huge spot with beers and shandys - played lots of bar sports (ping pong, darts & foosball),

Fifth Day: uber, Boxing Bear (4*, food, games, gambling), hike Rio Grande, uber, Marble (Gato Fest free music, more food truck goodness), Sidetrack (3.5* cask ales with clay mold art), Boese Brothers (3* dancing on back patio with big group, Giants ring lady, beer for road, shuffleboard), uber

Monday: uber to airport and fly back super early, work zombie, sweat beer

So that was our re-cap, I just added the stars on a whim, to better show places we liked or not so much. But a really great trip. The thing about NM is that NONE of the great beers of NM are available in Northern California where we live, not even Santa Fe, Cumbre, or anyone else. So it was all new and we loved trying so many beers. Though we did not make a big point to visit Santa Fe we did try a few of their beers on draft/mixed sixer/restaurant (probably 3.5-4 from what I had) and got a sixer of their pils.

Definitely give credit for new upstarts with interesting selections made well (see Rowley and Dialogue and the cask ales at Side Track), The three must hit breweries in original post were all very solid. Loved how many good lagers we could find in your state. Thanks to the thread starter and those who updated so we could learn more about new places and new releases at old places.

 

Sounds like a great trip!
Did you eat at Nexus? Their beer is OK, but the food is why I go there.

Good call hitting Rowley. I love the beer there and first commercial release is coming soon!

 

Did not eat there, I like that type of food (NOLA with a NM touch) but it just seemed so dang corporate, like an Applebees with housemade beer and better cuisine. There was a dude next to us at the bar on his cell phone whole time, finally his food came and I thought he'd get off his phone, but no, eating and talking.

 

@Gilmango

Nice breakdown. You've been to more of the new places than myself, and I live here. Nice star breakdown. For most part, it's about what I expected. A few of the lower ones have stayed in that area for awhile now. I wont name names. The Bosque/LC/Marble combo is a must combo. Glad to see Rowley getting some praise. I havent been there yet. How many beers are they up to on tap?

Nexus has gone through some renovations over the years. They are definitely more of a food first sort of place now.

I'm not sure if you did this, but if you search here for beer scores of many local beers, there is just no presence. It is all on you and your palate to make your own decisions. There are alot of gems out there for sure.

Canteen comes to mind. They have been around decades. Their Exodus is almost always on par with Elevated. Their panama joe coffee stout is a GABF winner. But again, no true hype presense. The main beers that get ratings are the ones that tend to make it out of state via distribution/traveling (dank, elevated, sf happy camper, marble ipa). It makes for quite the unique journey, and of the ones I have been to, I would agree with your stars.

Is La Cumbres Strawberry Gose still kicking? I'm sort of laying low for awhile and missed the friday release.