The Crew took Saturday off from attending any ABQ Beer Week events, but there were actually only three things going on. The ABQ Trolley Ale Trail sold out long before we ever tried to buy tickets and none of us were worthy of giving blood (in my case, I am unable due to living in Europe for three years) at the Pint for Pint at Tractor. The Celtic Festival sounded like fun, but work got in the way of trekking out to Balloon Fiesta Park (it is still going on until 5 p.m. Sunday, with $15 to get in; you can find the Craic Festival tent, where local breweries are selling pints of their Celtic-themed beers).

The good news, from our friends the ABQ Craft Beer Drinkers Group, is that 21 brave volunteers did visit Tractor on Saturday for Pint for Pint and donate blood. Thanks to all who donated.

The rest of the news is mixed. Problems have surfaced over at Imbibe, where Durango’s Ska Brewing brought a different beer than what was advertised on Thursday, followed by another screw-up on Friday (bottles instead of a tapped keg) during the Green Flash tasting. Hopefully future tastings/tappings there have fewer problems.

Tractor has moved its Tournament of Trivia, still scheduled for Tuesday at 7 p.m., to the Nob Hill tap room. Anybody who wishes to participate will no longer need to sign up a team of 10, either. The event should still be plenty entertaining. Stop by the tap room if you have any more questions. That way you can ask and enjoy a pint or two.

In addition to the ongoing Celtic Festival, Sunday’s events include Nexus’ one-year anniversary party, which will be underway at 2 p.m. with a BBQ and live music. The Beam Me Up Scottish imperial ale is also on tap.

Speaking of tappings, head over to Two Fools at 5 p.m. to enjoy a pint of Il Vicino’s Sasquatch Scotch, only with a twist. This batch was peat smoked, which should give it a very unique flavor. Enjoy a pint and make sure to grab a bite to eat at one of Albuquerque’s most underrated restaurants.

If you would rather wait for food, head down the street to Zinc, where the Marble Beer Dinner kicks off at 6 p.m. It costs $35 and reservations are required.

There will be plenty of events on Monday as well, including beer and cheese at Marble, Odell tasting at O’Niell’s Nob Hill, Widmer special tapping at Two Fools and a special beer release at ABQ Brew Pub.

The Crew will be out at as many events as we can cover this week.

Cheers!

— Stoutmeister