ABQ Beer Week keeps rolling right along, with a slew of midweek events that we are all trying our darnedest to keep up with. Monday got a little too busy for most of us (I was covering the Isotopes, E-Rock wrote up his last post and then had rehearsal, Franz Solo is being a good boy and helping his grandmother, Cryptogrind is working hard and Shilling is on the DL). So to sum it up, we all missed out on the great Monday events, including an Odell tasting and a special beer release at ABQ Brew Pub. We’ve never claimed to be perfect beer bloggers, but we’ll keep on trying to find time in our schedules to sneak a pint or sample or two.

There are five events today (Tuesday) and six events on Wednesday. Like I said, it’s busy midweek.

For maximum fun, head to Tractor at 7 p.m. for the Tournament of Trivia. It’s $10 per person and you’ll be grouped in a team of 10 (no need to dredge up nine friends/associates/fellow barflies) for this event. There will of course be plenty of beer and general lunacy, especially when you consider how many local actors work at Tractor, led by Best Burquena Lauren Poole and her frequent co-star Nathan “Red” Simpson.

Tuesday will feature one brewery offering up some specials from its own taps, while another takes over a local bar. Il Vicino will offer up a cask version of their Scottish ale and also have the just-for-Beer-Week special IPA Albuquerque Hops-pitality available at last. Head over to the Canteen anytime to enjoy both. Meanwhile, La Cumbre is sending its regular lineup over to O’Niell’s Nob Hill, with the pale ale, stout, pilsner and barleywine all available for free samples. If you want to pay for it, and you know you do, there will also be Elevated IPA and Jefe’s Hefe on tap. If you can’t make it to O’Niell’s (be forewarned, the parking lot is reportedly a mess right now, but there should be plenty of street-side parking) then just head to La Cumbre itself to enjoy these excellent beers. Sierra Nevada’s popular Hoptimum IPA will also be on tap over at Two Fools from 5 p.m. onward, if you’re more in the mood for one quick pint.

The most unique of Tuesday’s events takes place at Nob Hill Bar & Grill, “An upscale joint” (that was once featured on an episode of “In Plain Sight,” so you know it’s swanky). Reps from New Belgium and Crianza, a beer distributor that specializes in Belgian-style beers, will battle it out for your amusement. Well, not really, but they will be talking about the various Belgian styles from the Old World and from Colorado and elsewhere in the U.S. and how the genre has evolved. This New Belgium vs. “Old Belgium” showdown will feature plenty of beers to sample and three courses of NHBG’s best dishes. The cost is $35 and you will need reservations, so give them a ring at (505) 266-4455.

Wednesday will be jam-packed with tastings/tappings, so you can choose between Red Hook at Two Fools, Real Ale Night at Marble, Sierra Nevada at Billy’s Long Bar, New Belgium at O’Niell’s Nob Hill and Rogue Ales at O’Niell’s Juan Tabo (come hell or highwater, we imagine Franz Solo will be there). There will also be a La Cumbre beer dinner at Fat Squirrel Pub & Grille in Rio Rancho (call 994-9004 for reservations).

So until we all find the time in our schedules to head back out there, enjoy yourselves, ABQ!

Cheers!

— Stoutmeister