New Mexico Beer Guide 2016 updated

From Bosque:

"New Name, Same Beloved Beer
September 24, 2016 / Bosque Brewing Co.

New Mexico’s affection for Riverwalker IPA has been steadily increasing since its launch in February 2015. However, the national craft beer explosion has created some unanticipated problems, namely trademark conflicts. While many are amicably resolved, some have led to vicious and nasty legal battles. This was not the case for Riverwalker IPA, but a conflict exists nonetheless in the form of Riverwalk Blonde Ale from the now-defunct Twisted Manzanita Brewing Co. based in California. Anticipating a lengthy and uncertain process to acquire trademark rights, we opted to submit this beer to the 2016 World Beer Cup competition under the moniker Bosque IPA, for which no additional trademark was required. The 2016 Bronze Medal win in the Australian or International Pale Ale category set the name change in stone. While the name change is substantial, have no fear: no changes were made to the original Riverwalker recipe.


Bosque IPA, along with Bosque Lager and Scotia Scotch Ale, will be available for purchase at local retailers in 6-packs of cans beginning in October 2016."

 

Pint Last Seen, a Citra Pale Ale by Marble is mighty fine. It's probably been two years since I felt they had a IPA or APA that was bursting with aromatics.. That one won me over. I agree about the space. I was there yesterday around 2pm. It seemed a lot more crowded from the parking lot and surrounding streets than it actually was. Rooftop was packed to the gills but it never felt over crowded.. I remember the pre renovation days fondly.

Solid crowd at the opening of Dialogue Brewing. I walked to Marble after (I think a good core of people did that too). Belgian Dark Strong, Belgian Citrus IPA, and a Berliner W. were their three opening beers. Their Berliner had just enough funk and just enough tartness to make that one very crushable. I've never had repeat pints on opening day at a brewery in a really long time, and that place sort of won me over with that one. Belgian IPA did nothing for me. A tough play with Belgian sweetness coming out and then a harsh bitterness. No Thanks. The dark Strong was solid. But far too strong to make it through the day as a pint purchase. I like the vibe and potential here.

Inside, I would say they have room for maybe 30 people. Outside, the sculptures really stand out for a unique setting.

I also happened to hit up Electic Urban Pizzeria and Taphouse. Beer wise, I want to say they had about 20 taps. 4-5 from Oskar Blues ( I can't even remember the last time I had or saw Dale's Pale Ale on tap in town), 3-4 from Red Door, 3-4 from Bosque, and 3-4 from Boulder Beer. Food was great. Pints were $5 (the norm around here). Highly recommended imho

 

Marble is killing it right now, IMO. Between The Pint Last Seen, Hop Fudge Sunday and The Duke (bourbon barrel aged oud bruin), they have some great pilot beers on tap right now. Pint Last Seen is probably the best hoppy beer I have tried from them, though, admittedly, I was quite buzzed by the time I tried it. The Duke will do that to you.

 

@denver10 Are a lot of those "better" Marble beers really out of their pilot brewery? So I can assume much smaller batches and lifespan until they run dry?

I know La Cumbre has had a few pilot batches that seemingly lasted only 4-5 days. I don't even think they post about them online. I forget the last one I missed. I only think they are a couple batches in with their little system. I wonder what's next? They need to small batch a true hazy NEIPA juice bomb and prove that it's not so much about location anymore.

It seems like I really need to get out more. These places are finally giving me a reason to return (I Buy LC cans like crazy, and probably spent a grand on Danks over the years. but specifically draft only pilot batches seem to be something I can get excited about). It's not so much about the rarity, as it is about the taste on some of these smaller batches.
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So I'm still seeing Scale Tipper at a few places. Frickin Total Wine has them for $12/bomber. Sorry, I love love LOVE the beer, but I have to take a stand some where. I know their dank is $10/bomber.. Who prices their beer? I guess since elevated is basically sold at a loss, they had to price things up somewhere along the lines.

Speaking of La Cumbre, it looks like Full Nelson will be making a return Friday. Looks like my plans are set.

I totally missed the Acequia wet hopped release. I never saw any around town. I'm suspecting $10/bomber. Is it still on draft?

 

I have no idea where they were brewed. I only referred to them as pilot beers because they were small batch (don't know how small) releases that aren't intended for bottling. The Duke was Bourbon Barrel Aged so I doubt it was brewed at the new facility, it's too new.

Can't wait for Full Nelson.

And, yes, Acequia is $10 a bomber at the brewery. Still on tap.

 

Excuse my ignorance, with Full Nelson being released on Friday, would yall expect bottles to still be around Tuesday night? A buddy and I are driving in from Dallas that afternoon.

Thanks,
Matt

 

Yes, I would think the brewery will still have bottles on Tuesday. If not, I'm sure you'll be able to pick some up at Jubilation or Whole Foods.

 

Congrats to La Cumbre, Bosque, Marble and Boxing Bear for their medals. Boxing Bear winning best mid-sized brewery, that's awesome.

I actually made it up to Denver this weekend for the festival and all the great side tappings. My one big takeaway: Don't go beer shopping in Denver during GABF after you have already had a couple beers. I came home with far more beer than I need to have at any one time. I'd be happy to share if anyone wants to meet up.

 

Looks like Marble is doing a series of session chocolate themed nitro stouts. First up was the Hop Fudge Sunday, the chocolate & cherry stout. They just released a new one, Americano Fudge Monday, a chocolate and coffee stout. Also really good. Really impressed with what they can do with a 4.2% stout on nitro.

Curious to see where they take things next....I am guessing a Mexican Chocolate Stout is probably due (chocolate, pepper, cinnamon).

 

I can't usually stand the nitro texture and moutfeel. I hate Guinness. Does it feel watered down at all? They didnt seem willing to give samples of the nitro and Im not about to drop that kind of money on a 4.2% beer. But I guess if the 3rd of 4th in the series is continually "great", I may need to jump at the chance to try

 

I definitely have a bias against nitro beers but I have found some to be done well, i.e. Left Hand Milk Stout for example (though I do prefer the CO2 version). I definitely went into this series very skeptical, thinking its tough enough to make a good session beer and to add the added obstacle of putting it on nitro? Didn't expect it to come out well. Happy to be wrong. I definitely did not find these beers to be watered down. I thought they carried nice flavor and aroma, particularly as they warmed up some.

 

Screw Rowley Farmhouse Ales. Don't post on your beer list that you have your beer currently on tap when you actually have yet to tap it. I drove up from ABQ to try the rye saison after viewing the taplist only to find out it had yet to be tapped. My second stop where I left without a drink. I am done with the guys for now. I'll revisit them in 6 to 12 months, by then I am sure my frustration will have subsided.

 

@Oktoberfiesta Who wouldn't give you a sample of the nitro and which location?

 

@pjeagles 2-3 wks back, pretty busy on a Saturday; downtown location. I doubt at that hour they were giving samples of anything. Just odd/bad timing I am sure. I had my fill for sure so I wasn't complaining too much. But again, at that price point for its given ABV, and the fact its a nitro, the hype isnt/wasn't real. Ill take a Pils everytime

@denver10 So it looks like the Saison was "tapped" at the Santa Fe Brewing Oktoberfest event in SF, or at least it said it would be available as a guest beer. I believe that was one that SFBC brewed in order to boost/help out Rowley get a jump on things.

I almost drove up there on Saturday for that event plus a Rowley visit. I guess I will too, wait it out.

 

Well the policy is to give samples of anything regardless of how busy it is. Sorry to harp on it but did someone actually deny you a sample? Want to make sure that doesn't continue.

 

On Rowley's Facebook page they have their taplist posted using some app and Fields of Rye was posted on that list prior to my heading up to Santa Fe. Even at the brewery Fields of Rye was included on their beer menu. Then when I ordered it they said it wouldn't be available until later in the day.

 

Also, ended up hitting up Blue Corn instead. Very unimpressed with everything about that place, personally, except for their Oatmeal Stout which was surprisingly (considering everything else I tried there, including the food) very good.

 

To those who came early on Saturday for Fields of Rye and did not get it, my deepest apologies. I spent the night on Friday carbonating the keg to be served using a new carbonator that I was following the directions to a T, but somehow it did not take. When we left on Friday night, it was just about right I had thought, but when we started pouring it on Saturday, all the residual CO2 had dissolved into solution and it was pretty flat. Saison shouldn't be flat so we did not pour it until it was ready later that day.

I spent the early afternoon working with the carbonator and I found that it really does not work using the suggested instructions. I have since figured out some of the intricacies of the unit and hopefully this will not happen again.

Regardless, my apologies if you had come for the beer and it wasn't ready. That's 100% on me. Come see me next time you're up and I'll get them to comp you a glass of the next beer.

I got the Citra dry hopped version in kegs yesterday and I will be making sure it is 100% ready before we list it.

John

 

I take back my initial comments about it not feeling watered down. Have tried Americano Fudge Monday again and, yes, it definitely felt watered down. Didn't taste it or smell it, definitely felt it.

 

Bosque's IPA and Scotia Scotch Ale cans (canned two days ago) made their way from CO to the central NM market.

Gotta say, they really hit the right notes with Riverwalker IPA. It may just be me on this particular day, but after two, instead of the IBU starting to blend with my senses, the back end bitterness is slightly lingering and abrasive. A bit opposite of what I have had on draft.. Then again, I can't recall the last time I had riverwalker at the actual brewery (i'm always trying other seasonals first) So this is how it may be fresh. The aroma and initial hop presence seems spot on. They are really making a run for best core IPA in the city imho. The usually less abrasive bitterness with some juicy-esque hops is just a killer combo.

Price was $10.99/sixer. I'm use to the same with Scale Tipper, which I feel Bosque IPA is almost the same thing. So I am not mad about the price.
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Btw, I saw two Rio Bravo taps leave a certain restaurant after just a few weeks on tap. They either sold and kicked, or they brought in other beers that would actually be sold.