New Mexico Beer Guide 2016 updated

Just my $.02, Bert has done nothing but help Santa Fe's beers since he got there. I think this is the first beer that he has designed from start to finish and I look forward to trying it.

 

So...I had tried Santa Fe's 7K at their Albuquerque taproom the other day. Initial impression was I liked what it was a lot but thought they went light on the hops. Pretty much my impression of Bosque's IPA as well. Went back today for seconds to see if would grow on me....and it definitely has. I really wish it wasn't 7 percent abv though, its too session"able" for it to have such a high alcohol content. Could be dangerous.

As for where I rate it with the local competition....tough to say. I'd probably put it on par with Bosque's IPA on an objective level. Subjectively, as someone with a West Coast style IPA bias, I definitely prefer 7K to Bosque's IPA.

 

Also, Santa Fe has another IPA on tap, The Long Game. They described it as juicy and tropical, so I was expecting a New England style IPA....maybe it is but to me it dramk like a West Coast Style IPA blended with some juicy and slightly sweet hops. I dug it.

 

So day 2 of my impressions on the sixer of 7K. Its holding up nicely ( I did have my first as the first of the day so no biases, as well as today). It's a citrus bomb and I love it. Today it felt a bit IBU driven (maybe 60IBU range), so I know there is some IBU potential on a different day/ Reminds me of what I used to love out of regular BP sculpin IPA. I dont buy that much anymore.. In fact its been 6 plus months.. GF sculpin still gets a run in if its fresher than 6 weeks. This all leads to me trying this one out more than once a month (a change of 5-10x over past SFBC products).

I would love to try a Bosque/Marble/SF/LC/Canteen blind side by side with relatively fresh core IPAs... We have something great here in this state, and its not all that hazy non IBU hitting 'crap' as some people put it.

@erway good info, Its true since 2015, I cant remember a true large scale product that is new for SFBC. They have touted 60% sales of their Happy Camper to all of their distribution channels. I dont really doubt it but it has to be decreasing.. This 7k should and SHOULD take some sales of that away. It's a current wave of WC IPA flavor

 

Had to grab a sixer of the Santa Fe 7K as well. It's continuing to grow on me and I am liking it more and more with each try. Definitely agree, a nice citrus bomb. When I read a hop bill that includes Amarillo and Simcoe in it, I always have high hopes. This one is definitely delivering. I still do wish it was lower in ABV though, especially since it drinks a lot lighter than it is.

A blind tasting of the local IPA's would be interesting. While I certainly agree that we have a great thing in this state regarding the IPA selection, I think that also goes for lagers.

 

Thanks to all in this thread that helped me thoroughly enjoy my New Mexico trip. Sad to say it's come to an end but happy to say I'll plan to return.

Due to flight delays and pre-made plans, we spent all our time in Santa Fe, another reason to return for ABQ. Went to Second Street, Rowley (twice), Santa Fe Brewing and enjoyed the food and taps at Rowley, Second Street and Dr Field Goods. Tap list at Piñon Pub (inside Whole Foods) also great.

First, let me say that every local beer I had on this trip was very good and consistently much better than general BA or Untappd ratings. La Cumbre Elevated and Project Dank were both better than I had recalled (and I like them both)

Particular standouts:

RFA Ab Initio Citra/Mosaic, Meier Lemon and No BU For You
Second Street Red and Yellow Armadillo
Santa Fe Autonomous Collective
Bosque IPA
Boxing Bear Black and Blue Sour

Again, for these beers/breweries alone, I'd come back again. For the scenery, people, food and places I didn't get to visit, will definitely have to plan another trip West!

Looks like I'll miss out on Rowley's first release and some new La Cumbre releases too but I'm glad I was able to enjoy your great Northern New Mexico beer scene.

Cheers!

 

Thanks for the kind words. We appreciate you coming out to Rowley Farmhouse Ales, and I'm glad you liked the beers. Come back by anytime!

 

As someone who hates tequila, I surprisingly preferred that Hibiscus Quercus. I almost didn't even both trying it either but after a pour of the Persica Quercus decided why not at least give it a taste.

Will try to make it to Marble this weekend to check that Pils out. Thanks for the heads up.

 

OK, last post on it but just need to give Santa Fe their props....the more of this 7K IPA I drink, the more I have grown to love it. Higher in abv than I would choose but not a single other complaint about it. This really is a great beer and should satisfy any fan of West Coast IPAs.

 

I tried to do a few searches to find some hazy/NE IPA's in this thread. I am traveling to Alburquerque this weekend and hoping to try something new - I will be hitting my top 3. La Cumbre, Marble, and Bosque.
Any other beers or places I would love to hit up if I could be guided that way ! Thanks! @ONovoMexicano

 

There seems to be a number of hazy IPA's in ABQ nowadays as the style is starting to see some traction. Locals can better guide you most likely, but I think El Jugo is the best of the lot. Clark from Quarter Celtic is a solid option, and I know Bow and Arrow has one on now, but uses saison yeast so it's a bit phenolic. There is the NM IPA Challenge on Saturday 7/22 up at Second Streets' new Rufina location in Santa Fe if you're making it up that way, and of course our core IPA Agent Scully is a great option at Rowley Farmhouse Ales if you're up in Santa Fe as well.

 

La Cumbre should/might have their El Jugo on tap and/or in cans. Nothing hazy going on right now with Marble or Bosque. Bow & Arrow has a NE Styled Farmhouse IPA that I enjoyed.

 

Current beers on tap around town (ABQ) worth checking out. Not addressing the expected flagships.

La Cumbre - I saw they just tapped a Kellerbier. I haven't tried it yet but I am pretty damn sure it will be worth trying. Last I was there Miles From Cologne Kolsch was kicking. As someone who is not a Kolsch fan, I have been back 3 times for that one.

Marble - tons of Goses as @ONovoMexicano already mentioned. Not a Gose fan myself so haven't tried them, personally. I believe I saw White Out, Double IPA and Imperial Red all on tap last time I was there. All are great beers, IMO.

Bosque -Haven't been recently enough to know what is new there. Online it says their Beernana Split is available, a hefeweizen with chocolate, strawberries and lactose. Probably worth checking out if only for the novelty. Will say, their Lager has been great the last few times I have had that one.

Bow & Arrow - I really enjoyed the already mentioned Hazillionare NE Styled Farmhouse IPA. I like to think of that one more as a hoppy saison...but maybe that's my bias towards saison. Either way, I was a fan. They also have a really damn good IPL going, Desert Dynamo. Incredibly sessionable and goes well with an Albuquerque summer.

Santa Fe (they have an ABQ taproom)- If you like West Coast IPA's 7K is worth trying. A little juicier and less resinous than some West Coast IPA's, but unmistakenly West Coast, they found some great balance and flavor with that one, IMO.

Canteen - If on the eastside, say for hiking, their taproom on Tramway always has their Exodus IPA on tap (their brewhouse near La Cumbre does not). I think that beer is fantastic and maybe my favorite ABQ IPA to drink on tap (from the can it isn't quite as enjoyable).

 

Will La Cumbre be making El Jugo all summer? I will be in town the week of 8/7 and hoping to get some

 

I can't promise anything, but we are doing what we can to keep that beer on tap right now. We are currently assessing the length of residence that it might have.

 

https://www.beeradvocate.com/commun...ty-pack-5-collaborations.526668/#post-5549410

Looks like Bosque is about to get some national recognition.

 

Stopped at Rowley while in Santa Fe Monday and could not have been more impressed. A destination spot, in my opinion.

 

Thanks Mark. I'm glad you had a good visit. Come back by any time!

 

Bow & Arrow is releasing a Brett Saison and an Imperial Red this weekend. I've been enjoying most of the recent seasonal/rotating beers these guys have been putting out lately.