Albuquerque & Santa Fe Beer Scene 2020

2019 saw a significant drop in brewery visits for me, especially in the amount/variety of different breweries I hit up. I ended up sticking with the same handful of breweries and some of my choices were based on convenience over actual beer quality, blasphemy I know. So, yeah, I am in no position to provide an overall report card for the local brewery scene like I did last year. Wouldn't be all that reliable nor up to date. So I am just opening up this thread so that we have a central spot to discuss the local beer and breweries as appropriate.

 

https://www.beeradvocate.com/community/threads/albuquerque-beer-guide-2019-edition.601006/

Most of what I reviewed there, still holds. Some changes include:

Ex Novo came to New Mexico since I wrote that, I'd put them in the Top Tier. I complain how far out Boxing Bear is (though Boxing Bear now has a 2nd taproom in Old Town), Ex Novo is in Corrales and even further out there.

Screw Bosque, they lost me......again. Yeah, the Lager is still good, their IPA decent but everything thing else I tried from them in 2019 was forgettable. No, I take that back. Scale Tipper was memorable, but for the wrong reasons. They tweaked that recipe so it became fruitier and that was not for me. Didn't even finish my 4 pack. Once they changed up the food menu, they fully lost me. Haven't been there in at least 3 or 4 months, I probably only hit them up 4 or 5 times in the entirety of the year. When I first moved to Albuquerque, I am sure there were some months when I would hit their taproom up 4 to 5 times.

Lots of places on that list I never even visited once in 2019; Canteen, Dialogue, Boxing Bear, Steel Bender, Tractor, Ponderosa, etc.

Second Street up in Santa Fe really won me over in 2019. I really need to make it back to Rowley Farmhouse Ales, and I want to check out the updated Santa Fe Brewery with its upgrades, but every time I am up in Santa Fe, I find myself at Second Street.

 

FYI, La Cumbre has gifted us with a late holiday gift and have a trio of German styled lagers on tap right now; a dunkel, a doppelbock, and a shwarzbier.

And their double barrel La Negra is still on tap as well.

 

Upcoming release from La Cumbre

I imagine this will be in bomber format, unfortunately, but looking forward to this one. I generally find Rye Barrel Aged Amber Ales to be awesome.

And while on the subject of La Cumbre.....they have a French Pilsner on tap that is dangerously delicious. And Altimeter IPA cans being released this Friday, I was a big fan of that one.

 

@CowsandBeer, don't know distributors like that so can't answer that question. Don't believe I have seen Fantome down here, but don't hold me to that.

If you like lagers, don't sleep on Marble's Pilsner while in town. And I know La Cumbre is known for their hops (deservedly), but don't sleep on their lagers either which I think are just as good as their hoppy stuff.

 

So...revisited Rio Bravo Brewing today after a 3 to 4 year absence. Got to admit, I left impressed. Based on this visit, I would definitely put them into that second tier of ABQ breweries. Their Bohemian Pilsner, Send It, was actually great, IMO.

 

Cafe Con Leche available in 4 packs this Friday. Taproom only release. Per their Facebook page.

Yes, please.

 

That should have included La Cumbre somewhere in there.

 

https://nmdarksidebrewcrew.com/2020...pen-for-to-go-orders-and-all-that-are-closed/

Like the site or not, this is a helpful source to follow who is and is not open at this time. Not a comprehensive list, at least not yet. But I imagine it will fill out over time.

As for Beer Stores:

Here's hoping they all make it through this.

 

Some positive news on the beer front.



Rowley Farmhouse Ales is about to can 4 of their beers; Rowley IPA (AKA Agent Scully), Germophile, Germophile-Raspberry, and Fields of Rye. Will hit distribution.

 

1933 Brewing becomes a victim of Covid-19, sounds like they will not be re-opening.

 

I'd think they would be more Whole Foods and Sprouts if they could land any non-liquor store shelves. But probably should just ask them.

A taproom visit would probably be your best best with Jubilation closed for the time being, unfortunately.

 

Not sure if you are referring to New Mexico's whole beer scene or just Taos, but New Mexico's beer scene (especially Albuquerue and Santa Fe areas) is better than atrocious.

Taos's beer scene leaves something to be desired. Taos Mesa Brewing's beer is mediocre and largely forgettable, but I always enjoy hitting their spots up when in town. And you really cant go anywhere in Northern New Mexico and not find some taps from some the state's better breweries.