So just who are the five beer lovers who joined forces as the NM Dark Side Brew Crew?
I am Chris “Stoutmeister” Jackson, the proud owner of a journalism degree from the University of Arizona (BEAR DOWN!) that’s probably worth less than the paper it’s printed on. It has enabled me to get paid for many years to cover sports in Tucson, Los Angeles, ABQ and various other ports of call. I’ve seen Randy Johnson obliterate the world’s unluckiest bird during a spring training game, among other unique moments. Through my travels in this country and others I have also taken the time away from stadiums and arenas to check out as many local brews as possible. From Boulevard IPA in Kansas City to Goose Island Red in Chicago to the sheer awesomeness of Max’s Taphouse in Baltimore, I have developed a love for beer that ranks right up there with my love for sports. It’s all genetic; my beer-loving father is often with me at ABQ’s many breweries and who knows, he might even contribute to the NMDSBC as our “professor emeritus” of beer.
But enough about me, meet the rest of the crew, in their own words, starting with Franz Solo:
I love beer. All kinds of beer. But not just for the brew itself, for the relaxed atmosphere of drinking and talking with good friends and total strangers. It is beer that unites us, that loosens the tongue and inspires the wit, to a whit. Exceptionally strong ales, double IPA’s, etc., are some of my favorites, and an imperial stout is sublime to the tongue when crafted well. I gained a taste for great beer when I was at St. John’s College in Santa Fe. I was enthralled by all of the amazing offerings from Stone and Rogue, Blue Heron Pale, Flying Dog ales, the delicious offerings from Mendocino Brewing Co., Anderson Valley’s Boont Amber, as well as a Steam beer and other beers brewed by a friend of mine. It was quite recently that I became enlightened as to the wonderful brews from my hometown of Albuquerque, I began to frequent Marble quite often and my palette increased from there, especially after a tour of six of our local breweries that occurred one glorious summer day. I’ve been nothing but impressed with what has been crafted here in town, so many delicious choices and styles. It is truly grand to be living in the time of this beer renaissance!
“Beer is proof that God loves us and wants us to be happy” – Benjamin Franklin
My name is Jon “Shilling”. I’m a musician, cyclist, vegan, pitbull lover, rat owner, and sports fan. I spent the greater part of my late teens surrounded by craft beer fans which sparked my interest in this ever-changing world of beer. Beers I drink the most: O’Dell 90 Shilling, Marble Red, Stone Arrogant Bastard, and Young’s Double Chocolate Stout.
A long time ago in a galaxy very, very close by…
A gentleman named Brandon existed.
And I was that gentleman. Greetings to all my fellow hop heads and lovers of wondrous ales, lagers, porters, bocks, and everything else that is beer! I’m very excited to marry my love for writing with my love for delicious brews of many different varieties. I have no formal background in beer tasting; I’ve simply had many years of tasting many different varieties of brews. Personally my tastes have evolved exponentially since my early punk rock days of slamming Miller after Miller, as I now enjoy the vast tastes of Albuquerque’s bounty of microbreweries. We seem to be getting pretty spoiled with them these days, I’m happy to say.
Aside from the obvious reasons of writing for this blog (beer, just in case you hadn’t realized what you are reading about yet), you can usually catch me taking in a good metal show, or screaming my lungs out at any television set that happens to have a Philadelphia Flyers game on. A tasty pint and hockey always go hand in hand for me! I’m quite excited to be collaborating with an excellent group of guys on something we all greatly enjoy, and I look forward to sharing some tastings, recommendations, and any other thoughts in the universe that is beer. Come say hi if you see me at your local watering hole!
Prost!
— Brandon Daniel, a.k.a Cryptogrind
(And finally, E-Rock!)
My first experiences with craft beer began when I was a dishwasher in 1999 at the Hub City Brewery in Lubbock, Texas. At the time I had no experiences with beer other than Bud, Coors, or Natty Light. I often had a beer after my shift, usually an IPA or an Amber. Over the next few years, I quit and the Hub City Brewery closed, but this experience activated a curiousity in me for beers that broke the traditional domestic pilsner mold. I first turned to the local Shiner Bock as my staple beer. I tried and was impressed by Newcastle and Rogue Dead Guy Ale. Eventually, I moved back to my hometown of Albuquerque just as the great beer renaissance of the Duke City was beginning. I started with the gateway beers of Kelly’s, Turtle Mountain, and Chama River and learned the joys of Il Vicino’s brews. I experienced with delight the opening of Marble, La Cumbre, Hallenbrick (R.I.P.), Nexus, and the Tractor Tap Room. My tastes have become more and more exotic over the years. I am always looking for the newest beers to grace Burques breweries.
Cheers, ABQ!
— The NMDSBC
DARK SIDE BREW CREW 
Looking for Chris. You have a book out on the history of beer in NM and I’m looking for a copy.
I’m leading a run in 1 1/2 weeks of the Hashers and would like to do it based around the history of beer here in Albuquerque, after all we do bill ourselves as drinking club with a running problem.
Cheers
Jay Hudson
(310) 406-4446
You found him. It’s $20, and if you pick a brewery and a day/time, I’ll meet you there. Gonna be at Canteen this afternoon.