Stoutmeister here, checking in from a lovely Isotopes day game in ABQ. I say lovely because I am in the air-conditioned press box, with pulled-pork sandwiches and cake for dessert. But enough about spoiled sports writers, it is time to talk beer. Just not beer from here.

E-Rock and I are hitting the road (again), this time trekking out of the dry heat to the slightly less dry heat of Durango, Colo. Why visit Durango? We can say it is not for the scenic railroad or anything like that. No, instead we are heading to a small town that boasts four breweries — Ska, Steamworks, Carver and Durango Brewing. And on our way back, we plan to hit up Farmington’s Three Rivers Brewery.

Some of their styles, particularly the well-distributed beers from Ska, we have had before, but let’s face it, fresh beer out of the tap is always better than beer in the bottle. While our original plan (drive up Weds, stay 2 nights, drive back Fri) was thwarted by E-Rock’s whole playing-bass-for-Vertigo-Venus gig at Low Spirits on Thurs night (come on out and witness the awesome mix of music and stand-up comedy!), the good news is the Topes are playing a day game, so we will just head up afterward.

So what do we have to look forward to? Well, we typed up what the breweries’ Web sites had listed, but as always, we hope there will be some more styles on tap. Ska should have most of its top sellers on tap, including Ten Pin Porter, Steel Toe Stout, Pinstripe Red Ale, Buster Nut Brown Ale, and Modus Hoperandi. We will cross our fingers for some new seasonals as well.

Steamworks, located within walking distance of our hotel, has been recommended to us by many folks over the years. We look forward to trying Colorado Kolsch, Steam Engine Lager, Lizard Head Red, Face Plant Ale, Backside Stout, and their many seasonals.

Carver is also within a short walk, so we will definitely stop in for some beer and possibly some grub from their full menu. Colorado Trail Nut Brown Ale and Iron Horse Stout caught my eye in a first glance at the beer list.

Durango Brewing will probably require a short drive up the main road, but having enjoyed their Dark Lager in bottles, I am looking forward to the quick trek. They also have an amber and something called Derail Ale. Hopefully a seasonal or two will also be on tap.

When we return to NM we will take the right turn to Farmington to make an overdue trip to Three Rivers. Arroyo Amber Ale is supposed to be the locals’ favorite, but we also have an eye on their Kolsch, Scottish Ale, New London Porter, a slew of wheat beers (for E-Rock to try), and something called Leroy Brown, an “X-Beer,” which hopefully will be better than that dreadful “X-Files” second movie from a few years back.

We will do our best to get our brewery-by-brewery reviews up in a timely manner. Until then, we hope the rest of you are able to beat the heat, whether it be at some out-of-state breweries or at any of our wonderful ABQ-area establishments.

Cheers!

— Stoutmeister