This is E-Rock, your friendly neighborhood beer reviewer, here to bring you tidings of summer and, more importantly, the summer beers that are gracing the Albuquerque-area craft beer scene. We are starting to see the unveiling of new ales, bocks, and creams all over the city. Chama River has a slew of new summer beers on tap including the Vanilla Cream Ale and Bock to the Future. Other offerings around town include the return of Il Vicino’s Exodus IPA, Tractor’s Apple Cider, Bad Ass Brewery’s Zombie IPA, and La Cumbre’s BEER. The most heartwarming story of the week is return of Turtle Mountain’s steam now renamed Mister Hoover’s Steam to commemorate the passing of a cherished Turtle Mountain patron. My thanks to all of the area breweries and their continued support in making this weekly column possible. Here is all the news that is fit to blog for the week of June 4.

To break down each “capsule,” I listed the brewery (with Web page linked), its phone number (all are area code 505, for out-of-state readers) and hours of operation. Under “Beers” are the new or seasonal beers on tap for this week. And for those breweries that play host to musicians, I made sure to list who’s on the week’s set list.

ABQ Brew Pub — 884-1116

(Mon–Thurs 11 a.m.–midnight, Fri–Sat 11 a.m.–2 a.m., Sunday 10 a.m.–midnight)

Beers: Ben Miller’s Dark and Strong. You still have a chance to catch the Belgian style created by homebrewer Ben Miller. Check this one out and look for other Ben Miller brews under the Herbal Joe label.

Back Alley Tap Room — phone number N/A

(Hours N/A, presumably same as NY Pizza Dept.)

Beers: Cherry Wheat, “The Streets” Saison, Goathead Pale Ale. “The Streets” Saison is a sweet Belgian style beer with a touch of hops, and Goathead Pale Ale is a great clean ale with a bite of hops.

News: Back Alley Tap Room opened its doors during less than a fortnight ago, and I have yet to locate its phone number and operating hours. I personally visited B.A. a few days ago and I will have my complete report on this site later this week. For those who want first-hand knowledge of Albuquerque’s newest tap room, visit Back Alley on Central and 2nd Street just behind N.Y. Pizza Dept.

Bad Ass Brewery — 918-2337

(Mon–Thurs 4 p.m.–10:30 p.m., Fri–Sat 3 p.m.–midnight, Sun noon–8 p.m.)

Beers: Zombie IPA, English Brown, Oatmeal Stout, Utter Insanity Pale Ale. B.A.B.’s signature Zombie IPA is back on tap, and I’m told the new Oatmeal Stout is quite tasty.

Broken Bottle Brewery — 890-8777

(Mon–Fri 4 p.m.–midnight, Sat noon–midnight, Sun noon–10 p.m.)

Beers: Fat Willy’s Smoke Stout.

News: Also coming soon, look for the Nacho Brau made with blue corn. And don’t forget about Broken Bottle’s new happy hour, featuring one-dollar-off pints from 4-6 p.m. Monday through Thursday. Stoutmeister and Franz Solo both sampled the Smoke Stout and will have more on this tasty new concoction Tuesday.

Chama River Brewing Company — 342-1800

(Sun–Thurs 11 a.m.–11 p.m., Fri–Sat 11 a.m.–midnight)

Beers: Vanilla Cream Ale, Bock to the Future, Bonus Czech, Hopslap. Chama River has a whole host of new summer beers that the Crew is itching to try. Stop by by, grab a pint, and let us know what you think.

Il Vicino Brewing Canteen — 881-2737

(Sun–Thurs noon–10 p.m., Fri–Sat noon–midnight)

Beers: Peach Wheat, Belgian Strong, Rye PA, Exodus IPA, Hops-pitality. The Belgian Strong is a light refreshing beer that is perfect for a lazy summer afternoon on the patio.

News: Hops-pitality is on tap for Cask Wednesday. Il Vicino still has some tickets left for their beer festival June 16. The Stoutmeister and I just got ours today. Il Vicino has been stockpiling kegs of all of their creations for the past few years and will unleash about 30 different styles of beer in the upcoming festival. The festival will be from noon to 8 p.m. and includes bands, vendors, and food carts. Due to capacity limitations, only about 650 tickets will be sold, so be sure to get yours as soon as possible.

Music: Tues — Johnny Bones 6-9 p.m., Sun — Cali Shaw Band 3-6 p.m.

La Cumbre Brewing — 872-0225

(Open every day at noon)

Beers: BEER (classic American pilsner), Pale 32 (low gravity ale), Miles from Cologne (Kolsch). BEER will be back on tap this week. Pilsner has become a bad word in craft beer circles thanks to decades of watered-down domestics, but BEER is just the cure for any beer snob who might doubt the power of a good pilsner. Plus, you get to go to a bar and say, “I’ll have a BEER, please.” Just like in the movies!

Music: Weds — Floozie 6-9 p.m., Sat — Aladocious 7-10 p.m.

Marble Brewery — 243-2739

(Mon–Sat 1 p.m.–midnight, Sun 1 p.m.–10:30 p.m.)

Beers: Santine Sour, Imperial Red, Rye PA. The Fantine Sour (7.0% ABV) is an intriguing beer that is No. 4 in Marble’s Libertine Sour Series. It was created in French oak and is only available in $7 goblets.

News: Marble is all out of From the Wood. (sniff)

Music: Weds — Bartender 4 Mayor 6-8 p.m., Next 2 The Tracks 8-11 p.m., Thurs — Mar Ata 8-11 p.m., Fri — Mondo Vibrations 8-11 p.m., Sat — Da Bruddah Project 8-11 p.m.

Nexus Brewery — 242-4100

(Mon–Thurs 2 p.m.–10 p.m., Fri–Sun 11 a.m.–midnight)

Beers: Beam Me Up Scottish, Zaragoza. At 11% ABV, Beam Me Up Scottish is a strong but sweet beer that is a perfect dessert to go with anything on Nexus’ menu of award-winning soul food.

News: The long awaited Imperial Cream Stout should be on tap by Father’s Day.

Tractor Brewing Company — 433-5654 (Nob Hill Tap Room)

(The tap room opens most days around 3 p.m. and stays open as late as 2 a.m.; it opens earlier on weekends)

Beers: Witty (Belgian Wit), Pilsner, Maibock, Apple Cider. Tractor is ready for summer with plenty of lighter offerings including an Apple Cider for that annoying friend of yours who never wants to go to a brewery because he or she doesn’t like beer.

Turtle Mountain Brewing Company — 994-9497

(Kitchen hours: Mon–Thurs 11 a.m.-9 p.m., Fri–Sat 11 a.m.–9:30 p.m., Sun 11 a.m.–8:30 p.m.)

Beers: PNB Brown, Mister Hoover’s Steam, 70/70. As I wrote in the intro, Turtle Mountain brought back their popular steam and rechristened it Mister Hoover’s Steam in memory of Mr. Hoover and his favorite beer.

News: Next week, look for Turtle Mountain’s Father’s Day Special including a pint, an 8-oz. sirloin, and corn on the cob.

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That’s all for this week! If you have any questions or comments, leave them below or contact us on our Facebook page.

Cheers!

— E-Rock