New Mexico Beer Guide 2016 updated

Looking like chama river closed its doors today. So scratch that place off your list to visit BAs.

I'm finding lots of my friends and acquaintances are reverting away from constantly going out and trying new beers. It's the canned or bottled products that are starting to win out or they are moving on to other hobbies. I don't think we've hit saturation yet but it feels close. All these places expanding and growing based off of perceived constant growth may need to slow their roll. I'm looking at breweries like Santa Fe brewing. At a certain point, people in Texas or oklahoma or Arkansas will deem your beer mediocre when local options have caught up. It's a great lesson for everyone to step their game up though

I actually haven't had a beer in two weeks. Those NE hops just devastated my taste buds. I do like knowing what's around.

I had a friend who went to steel bender the other day. Still quite busy. Maybe this place took all of chama rivers business away from them? Although I hear the food is just okay at steel bender. They may have that perception that they are doing all things right. I just caution them to be careful. Everyone likes the shiny new toy until another shiny new toy is around

 

Good looks on the other thread. I have this one pinned because there are usually no other NM threads around.

I think my feelings is that I know just as many getting out of craft and just causally going back to macro or some new Belgium/sn shelf stuff instead of a constant prowl for the latest and newest. It was cool for awhile. I don't think u ever go straight back to swill. But at the same time, I'm seeing less enthusiasm as each new brewery opens. That has to skew some of these breweries growth predictions. I will say. Sierras blanca seems to sell really well at various places I visit. Tons of six pack sales. So even your occasional drinker will gravitate towards that vs a growler imho. Even then it's also about the product you are selling if you don't have a following. It looks like Rio bravo let a few people go awhile back. Not the right people if you catch my drift. I see no one buying those cans. So it's tricky and even trickier with people I know shifting their buy patterns almost 180.

 

I just moved to Albuquerque yesterday (and dusted off the BA account today). Thanks so much for this guide! I'm off to find a job and gain a beer belly...maybe not simultaneously haha.

 

I hit up Steel Bender tonight. Figured its been around 6 months since they opened, figured I'd see how they progressed.

Yes, the place was ridiculously busy. I have yet to eat there but the food does not look appetizing to me, personally. And I personally don't care for the vibe either. Feels generic, like I am at some chain.

As for the beer, it was a mixed bag.

They have a Czech Pilsner going that is straight up fantastic upon first impressions...and this coming from someone who prefers German pilsners. I was honestly shocked at how much I enjoyed it to be honest with you all. The rest of their beers didn't live up to that one. Their red ale is was solid but also kind of forgettable. Their amber/ESB was alright. Their IPA is not that good...its significantly better than it was when they first opened, but they need to amp up the hops in that thing. I think the problem with that beer is more the recipe than the brewer. Kinda like my issue with Bosque's IPA, though and amped up hop profile with Bosque would make that beer awesome, this one at best could be okay. I also tried an American adjunct lager that was aweful and an altbier that was fair.

Technically, I think their brewer has some skills. And that pilsner....I will be back for that.

 

That 1888 Blond is solid. They have been doing a line of different variations on blond ales this year and that has been one of the more interesting things they have had going this year. The Mandarina Gold Blonde Ale was my favorite variation so far, but I enjoyed this one too.

That Lupulo Rojo....finally a good red ale from these guys. I won't go close to saying its on the same level of Marble's Red Ale though, which is a personal favorite of mine, but I certainly dug it. Would happily drink that one again. Definitely on point.

 

Fresh hop season about to begin. Fresh Hop Elevated ipa released this Friday.

Count me in.

 

It hadn't fully sank in at the time of that initial post but now that it has, I have to say, Wet Hopped Elevated IPA just might be the most excited I have been for a new beer in ages.

 

Are they canning the Fresh Hop Elevated? Any special markings on the can to designate it as such? I need me some of that!

 

They are bottling it I believe

 

Per Facebook, Bosque will be doing 4 wet/fresh hop beers this season.

• Rio Vallecitos Wet Hop DIPA – Trying to keep it as local as possible, this beer exclusively uses malts from Colorado and Wet Hops from NM.
• Acequia Wet Hop IPA
• Citra Blonde
• Hazy Mosaic – A northeast style hazy IPA

Rio Vallecitos is currently on tap I believe.

 

Heading to Albuquerque next week for business. Will have Tuesday afternoon/evening free to hit some breweries. Which ones would you recommend and will any have cans/bottles available for take home? Thanks in advance.

 

@Evidence

The initial post from @ONovoMexicano is still pretty much still spot on.

I guess I will add, I think there is an argument to be made that Boxing Bear is on par with Bosque, so perhaps they deserve a promotion....but their location is a huge hindrance (at least for me)....but I might also argue that, at least lately, Bosque isn't quite a must visit these days.....certainly not at the expense of La Cumbre or Marble, the 2 best ABQ breweries and a level (or ten) above everyone else in town, IMO. Bosque's best beers can be on par with La Cumbre's and Marble's best beers.....but other than their awesome lager, they haven't been putting out their best stuff for a while (at least from what I have tried). That said, Bosque does IPA's incredibly well and they currently tapped a Wet HOP DIPA and India Red Ale.....so those 2 might be worth your time, but I haven't tried either to know.

La Cumbre, Marble, Bosque and Boxing Bear all offer packaged stuff.

 

Quick follow up/update.

Bosque's current wet hop IIPA is very good and worth a try for sure. I will definitely be back for that one to try on a fresh pallet as I am thinking the Wet Hopped Elevated (which is straight up fantastic) I drank prior to my visit just might have destroyed the taste buds just a little.

 

Wet hopped Elevated is really tasty. Nice work @erway!

 

Wet Hopped Elevated is great. Best wet hopped beer I have had since first trying Comrade's Fresh Hop Superpower...and I will take the Elevated between the two.

Bosque's Rio Vallecitos Wet Hopped DIPA is also really damn good. Best thing these guys have put out since last years BA Imperial Coffee Brown Ale, IMO. I did try it again on a fresh pallet.

 

Thanks for the info! Much appreciated!