Many breweries had tastings on Tuesday night. I made it to four different establishments to see what was new for Beer Week.

I started the evening at Two Fools where Sierra Nevada released Hoptimum (100 IBU, 7.8% ABV). This dry and hoppy double IPA was what Stoutmeister would refer to as a kung-fu kick to the face. It packs a punch.

Next it was off to O’Niell’s in Nob Hill to catch some La Cumbre offerings. I took in a pint of Jefe’s Hefe, a pretty standard and delicious hefeweizen. Also on tap was La Cumbre’s celebrated Elevated IPA.

Next up was the Il Vicino Canteen. I had a pint of the cask version of their new Scotch Ale. This beauty had a subtle smoked flavor and was even smoother than the tap version they released at Two Fools on Sunday. Before I left, I sampled their Albuquerque Hops-pitality (90 IBU, 6.7% ABV). This tasty IPA was hoppy and a little dry, but not as much as the Hoptimum. It was a great beer on par with Marble’s regular IPA.

Finally, I finished the night at Tractor. They had already finished their trivia challenge and had brought back kegs of some fan favorites. I had the smooth and delicious Moustachio Milk Stout (“The Precious! It was mine again!” — Stoutmeister). Also on tap was their Barley Wine, Ox Bow Scotch Ale, and the Tinkerbell Pear-y Cider. All in all, it was a great night for beer tasting. See you at some more events throughout the week.

Cheers!

— E-Rock

Wednesday’s Beer Week events

• There be tastings and tappings ahead, matey! Red Hook, the big dog sponsor at Sunday’s Blues & Brews, will have its summer-worthy pilsner on tap at Two Fools at 5 p.m. Escape our latest freaky wind storm and cool off with a pint.
• Colorado’s New Belgium takes over O’Niell’s Nob Hill, offering up tastings of Shift, Sunshine Wheat, Trippel, Biere de Mars, La Folie, Cocoa Mole’, and Tart Lychee. No idea what half of those beers are, so this sounds like a job for the more adventurous beer drinkers.
• Oregon’s Rogue Brewing will unleash its fury of deliciousness at O’Niell’s Juan Tabo with Hazelnut Brown, Chocolate Stout, Juniper Pale Ale, and the ubiquitous Dead Guy Ale. Both O’Niell’s will start the tastings at 5 p.m.
• Miss your chance at a pint of Hoptimum at Two Fools? Fear not, Billy’s Long Bar will have it on tap as of 8 p.m. for just $3 per glass. A Sierra Nevada rep will be on hand to talk about the DIPA and maybe, if you ask nicely, other beers being brewed in Northern California.
• Marble, in the meantime, will play host to Real Ale night. What is a real ale? It is a naturally carbonated beer served at room temperature. If you only drink beer cold, skip this one unless you feel like taking a chance; if you’re English, definitely head on over. The Maibock, Dopplebock, and 505 Five collaboration beer will all be served in this style.
• La Cumbre will be having a beer dinner out at Rio Rancho’s Fat Squirrel Pub & Grille, which is located near Turtle Mountain on Southern Blvd., just west of Rio Rancho Blvd. The dinner kicks off at 6 p.m., costs $45, and requires reservations, which can be made by calling (505) 994-9004.