The current roster of the Dark Side Brew Crew is based in Albuquerque, but we put that NM before our name to show that while we love our hometown microbreweries, we also enjoy all the fine styles from around the state.

With the weather warming up, but the economy still scuffling along, more and more people will be taking those short, in-state vacations that have become popular. So why not make a beer vacation out of a weekend? Or, if you’re staying in New Mexico during spring break week but still want to go somewhere new, check out what we have found.

Utilizing our crack research skills (okay, Google), the Crew compiled what we hope is the most up-to-date list of microbreweries around New Mexico. Certain areas are well-stocked — Northern New Mexico especially — while other areas seem to be going thirsty (we’re looking at you, Southeast!).

We did not include breweries outside the ABQ metro area that have taprooms within the city, such as Los Lunas-based Tractor and Moriarty-based Rio Grande/Sierra Blanca (at the ABQ Brew Pub in uptown).

Without further adieu, here are the 12 breweries beyond the metro area.

Santa Fe Brewing: Just about everybody knows of the state’s oldest microbrewery, which is located off I-25 just south of the main stretch of the state capital. From the infamous State Pen Porter to various other styles, SFB might be the most widely distributed microbrew in New Mexico, available in cans and bottles. Speaking of cans, keep an eye out for the Irish Red in six-pack form, just in time for a certain holiday in March.

Second Street Brewery (Santa Fe): E-Rock calls this humble joint the best brewery in the state. We find it hard to argue with him. There are two locations in Santa Fe, the original location on the street the brewery is named for and the popular Railyard taproom near the Plaza. The original is laid back, with the tree-covered patio feeling almost like a German beer garden in the summer months. The taproom is a hip place to be seen, but be warned, it gets crowded, especially on the weekends. If you love pale ales, now is the time to stop by. There are five on tap at the brewery, four at the taproom. Personally, and Shilling and Cryptogrind will back me up on this, the ESB is one of the finest of its style this state has to offer.

Blue Corn Cafe & Brewery (Santa Fe): Armed with two locations of its own, the BCCB has been around nearly as long as SFB (it also happens to share the same owners as Albuquerque’s Chama River). The downtown location, at the corner of Water and Galisteo, caters more toward the Plaza crowd, while the southside location at 4056 Cerrillos Road is where the beer is brewed. Though there are never quite as many styles on tap as at Second Street or SFB, there is plenty to savor here, including the Gold Medal Oatmeal Stout (which did indeed win a gold medal at the 2007 Great American Beer Festival in Denver).

Three Rivers Brewery (Farmington): The Crew plans to take a long-overdue trip to Farmington and Durango this summer to indulge in the many great beers available in both towns. The Three Rivers crew (you can never go wrong with a name that conjures up special memories for us Steelers fans) are prolific posters on Facebook, unleashing a smorgasbord of culinary delights in addition to their beers. With both an eatery and a pizzeria at their disposal, the folks at Three Rivers know how to cook and how to pair all those delicious-looking dishes with their many styles of beer. One of the best Scottish ales is usually on tap and the Crew is looking forward to trying all the other concoctions the Three Rivers staff will create this summer.

Eske’s Brew Pub (Taos): Located in the heart of everyone’s favorite artist community, Eske’s has been brewing up classic beers for many years while also serving a wide variety of pub fare and New Mexican grub. At least two of us in the Crew are going to take a Saturday off at the end of March to stop by all the breweries in the Taos area; E-Rock is a frequent visitor, but he’s usually there to play music, leaving little time to enjoy the regional brews. Current beers on tap, which we hope will still be there in a month, include a brown ale, a Scottish ale, and the “Ten Thousand Ft. Stout.” Don’t worry, we’ll have a designated driver for this trip.

Taos Ale House: The newest microbrewery in Northern New Mexico, the folks there may not have much up on their Web site yet, but that photo of people enjoying beer on the patio conjures up fond memories of summers past. They have already had live music and recently installed a pizza oven. The beer list, though, appears to be a closely-guarded secret. This definitely means we will have to stop by to solve this mystery … by drinking it. It’s what we do. If you are Taos-bound, just head a little further up Paseo del Pueblo Norte and look for the Ale House across the street from the U.S. Post Office.

Blue Heron Brewery (Embudo): If you enter the address on this brewery’s Web site into Google Maps, it will just befuddle the mighty Google. Still, we can attest to the fact that this brewery does exist from the fact they were gracious enough to bring beers for us to sample at Marble’s last Septemberfest. Their Scottish Ale may very well be the best of that style in the entire state (so says Shilling, myself, and the Professor Emeritus, so you know it must be true). So believe me when I say we will be driving slowly along Highway 68, keeping our eyes peeled for this hidden gem of an establishment.

Comanche Creek Brewing (Eagle Nest): Picture a brewery in a log cabin. Got the image? OK, now click on this link. Pretty neat, huh? We may or may not make the side trip from Taos if there is enough time, but eventually we will make our way to this 8,500-foot brewery. We are intrigued to try it out; the reviewers over at ratebeer.com say there are more styles on tap than listed on the regular site, including “Ole Smokey” (a stout, perhaps?) plus a Kolsch and a porter. If nothing else, it would make for an awesome photo of Crew members outside the cabin. But we have a feeling the best moments will be found indoors with a pint.

Look below for all the breweries south of ABQ.