New Mexico Beer Guide 2016 updated

Available this Saturday, per facebook.


Also, I see Bell's has made its way to New Mexico.

 

Yeah, I agree that that Wet Hopped Elevated is a level above Rio Vallecitos. I definitely enjoyed that Rio Vallecitos a lot though, personally.

Looking forward to Acequia as well, looks like that one will be bottled again this year too.

 

So.....Ponderosa has a hoppy German pilsner on tap right now that is absolutely fantastic. Like Marble Pilsner level good....and Marble Pilsner is my favorite beer brewed in this state.

They also have an IPL that they now offer in cans. Haven't tried that yet.

 

Drinking that India Pale Lage now and it, too, is really quite good. This recent visit with Ponderosa was an eye opener for me, I think I might have to start paying more attention to them. I do have to admit that I really don't care for their facility, as I like breweries more than brewpubs in general, and this place feels to me like a Chili's that brews beers. I hate Chilis/Applebees/Black Eyed Peas/Etc. But if they can consistently brew beer that is on par with this IPL and Hoppy Pilsner, I will get past that.

To another topic...New Mexican wet hop beers. Specifically, wet hop beers using NM Hops. I believe I have now tried 2 wet hop beers using NM hops, Bosque's Rio Vallecitos and Ponderosa's Ecliptic, and enjoyed both. These hops do seem quite unique. Unfortunately, I am not good enough at describing things to be able to express what I am experiencing with them but both beers I have tried have offered similar experiences and experiences very different from what I have experienced with other wet hop beers. These NM seem to promote sipping (from me) rather than chugging (most wet hopped beers I can drink dangerously quickly), and also seem to pair exceptionally well with the malt base too. I could almost see them labeling them as wet hopped blond ales (or imperial blond ales in Bosque's case) more so than wet hopped pale ales in fact.I could also see how others might not not care for it, but I am definitely a fan.

 

Someone else warming up to Bow & Arrow.....though I think the beers you gravitated and enjoyed most of all were one's that I was not too hot on, aside from that Hazillionare. And I was pleased with Brett Saison, especially as their first go at it.

I am going to have try that Hoppy Pilsner a second time. I'll be curious to see how it holds up; wouldn't be the first time I tried a beer and it was a right time/right place only to follow things up with a much more tempered review. Not sure it will happen with this one, I think that first impression was reliable. I guess we shall see,

I am not an IPL guy either....but did enjoy the Ponderosa one. Take that for what its worth, though, because it certainly seems like we are coming from 2 different angles with beer right now.

 

This year's batch of Acequia is fantastic. Like, I absolutely loved La Cumbre's Wet Hopped Elevated, thought it was maybe the best new beer I tried in 2017, and think I might be liking this year's Acequia even more. That good.

Bosque's Oktoberfest is good too but I am not a big Oktoberfest fan, so La Cumbre's is all that I need for that style. Loved how La Cumbre's was not sweet at all, imo.

 

Props to La Cumbre and @erway for Ryeot On, this years variation of BBA Red Ryeot. This stuff is, IMO, amazing. Right on par with Bosque's Red Lightning, IMO, which has been one of my 3 favorite beers I have discovered since moving down here. Hoppy reds, rye and whiskey is apparently a combo I am a big fan of.

They also have another NE styled IPA on tap, A Prelude to Hell, which was much more to my tastes than El Jugo. Other peoples mileage may vary, given I am not quite the fan of the style as others.

Bow & Arrow have a new IPA going, Nomadic. Given that the Amarillo/Simcoe hop combo is probably m favorite combination of hops I enjoyed it. Will definitely be re-visiting that one. Their Brett Saison is also tasting quite good these days.....surprised its still going, but glad it is. Tastes significantly better today than it did upon release, IMO.

 

Hey NM! My wife's in ABQ this week. Any bottles/cans you'd recommend bringing back? That BA Ryeot On sounds yummy! The internet says it's in bottles. Is that right? If not, any other BA brews to search out? Thanks!

 

Definitely Ryeot On, which is in bottles. Marble's Brett IPA is still hanging around, expensive but one I make an exception for. If Bosque's Acequia is still around also worth the inflated cost.

For the standards....Marble's Pilsner, La Cumbre's Elevated IPA are both staples in my rotation.

 

Dialogue has their Das Palabra Zwickelbier back on tap. I have no idea if they are working on the recipe and tweaking things but seems like there's a bit more prickly hoppiness in the finish of this thing. Whatever the case, its tasting really good. I think this is their best beer, personally. Definitely worth a trek down there for fans of the style.

They also have a Biere de Garde that it solid. Not going to knock anyones socks off, but for those like me with a craving for a farmhouse ale, this one hit the spot. For those who aren't partial to the style, possible you might be bored with it.

 

Last night opened Marble's Brett IPA. Not my style but I definitely appreciate why people enjoy it. Beautiful deep amber in appearance. Funky aroma. Taste is incredibly complex. Fruity IPA upfront, with a sudden transition to funkiness, very dry finish. Wow! Thanks for the recommendation. Looking forward to the Ryeot On next!

 

Howdy all...since I love New Mexico beers, thought I'd come along here and just. leave. this. here... for some props. [disclaimer: it is a total puff piece without any substance and doesn't cover any of the other notable and new breweries outside the usual suspects).
http://www.foodandwine.com/travel/united-states/city-producing-some-best-ipas-right-now

 

Finally opened RYEOT ON!!! Wow! Absolutely fantastic! Thanks again for the recommendation @denver10

 

Cracked open a Unit Monster from Marble last night. Love the 12oz format for a BA stout and it was quite tasty.

 

Didn't attend, nor am I aware of which beers were introduced at the Beer Premier, so can't comment on that.

I did try Scotia Limited and dug it. Would have gone home with a bottle or two of it if it hadn't already sold out.

Bow & Arrow has a really nice IPA going right now, at least IMO. Nomadico. They also just released a kettle soured grisette with Navajo tea. I think they are getting a much better feel with kettle souring but I generally don't care for the style, personally, so I can't say I was a huge fan.

 

Marble finally pulled off a successful single hop beer. Their Simcoe IPA is a delight...at least for us Simcoe fans.

Checked out a couple new to me breweries. 377 Brewery is a one and done for me, personally. Everything I tried was overly sweet and malty. Bombs Away Beer Company was decent, especially when I discovered they have only been open for a month. Very aggressive tap list to start out with, 15 beers. Some flaws noticed in some of the stuff but others were pleasantly very well constructed. Might not rush back there, but will keep them on the radar. They don't do half pours which is a big turn off for me, personally.

 

I was there on Saturday evening and it had just kicked. Very unfortunate.

Everybody should do half pours.