‘Tis Monday, I’m E-Rock, and here’s my weekly update of all the new brews gracing Albuquerque-area breweries. This week, I’m more impressed by what’s back rather than what’s new. Tractor is bringing back their delicious Mustachio Milk Stout and Il Vicino has new batches of the Sasquach Scotch and the IPA Challenge-winning Exodus IPA. Turtle Mountain is unveiling their Rye IPA today just in time for you to compare it to Marble and Il Vicino’s Rye PAs.

In other news, Broken Bottle and Tractor both have their final hearings on growler sales on Tuesday at 1:30 p.m. in the basement hearing room of the Plaza del Sol building (600 2nd St. NW, just south of Lomas).

Finally, Broken Bottle had a very successful Breaking Bad viewing party last night, and they will continuing screening Breaking Bad this Sunday at 8 p.m. and every Sunday for the rest of the show’s fifth and final season.

Now that I have covered the big stuff, here is all the news that is fit to blog for the week of July 16.

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: Monks Double Belgian. This beer uses a Belgian Bastogne yeast that gives the brew a banana aroma and a clove flavor. (18 IBU, 5% ABV)

Back Alley Draft House — 766-6973

(Hours 5 p.m.-11 p.m. daily)

Beers: Cherry Wheat, “The Streets” Saison, Goathead Pale Ale. “The Streets” Saison is a sweet Belgian style beer with a touch of hops, and Stoutmeister says the Goathead Pale Ale has a “nice bite with a smooth finish.” Either beer is great to beat the summer heat.

News: New Belgium Lips of Faith Fresh Hop IPA, Ace California Cider, and Stone Old Guardian are now on tap.

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: Charlies Old Red, Half Dresses Ale, Triple Chocolate Stout, Double Headed Zombie, Utter Insanity, Amber Ale, 3-Way, Matts Smoked Ale, Zombie, Hefe Rojo, and English Brown Smog. The Half Dressed Ale is a second-run barley wine that was resteeped, giving it an extra kick.

News: Bad Ass is continuing their Sunday evening dart tournament at 4 p.m.

Broken Bottle Brewery — 890-8777

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

Beers: 12-Step Apricot Ale, Nacho Brau, Fat Willy’s Smoke Stout. The 12-Step Apricot Ale is an Apricot Wheat recently reviewed by several members of the Dark Side Brew Crew. After tasting the 12-Step Apricot Ale, Derek said, “Every sip was a smooth white wheat flavor. Then, as it settles on your palate, you get a back-rush of fresh apricots that stays with you. It’s a really tasty summer beer and I’m looking forward to my next pint.”

News: Geeks Who Drink are back at Broken Bottle this Wednesday. B.B.B. will also have a Breaking Bad viewing party on Sunday at 8 p.m. Finally, B.B.B. will have their final zoning hearing on growler sales on Tuesday at 1:30 (see above for details).

Chama River Brewing Company — 342-1800

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

Beers: Cold Crush Kolsch, India White Elephant (60 IBU, 6.3% ABV), Summer Ale (28 IBU, 5.5% ABV), Cascade Pale Ale (47 IBU, 6.1% ABV). India White Elephant is an India white ale that blends the citrusy flavor of a Belgian white with the hoppy bite of an IPA.

Il Vicino Brewing Canteen — 881-2737

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

Beers: Sasquach Scotch, Exodus IPA, Saison d’Guil, Irish Red, Red Rye, Aztec (Mexican Lager). The Sasquatch Scotch and the Exodus IPA are both patron favorites at I.V. They are usually brewed several times a year, but they are not always on tap. Grab a pint of each while you have the chance.

News: The Oaked Scottish Ale in on tap for Cask Wednesday and the Crystal IPA is back on cask on Saturday. You can stop by the Canteen to purchase tickets in advance for the final day (July 28) of the IPA Challenge. Defending champion Il Vicino is playing host to the final round of tasting.

Music: Tues — Felix y los Gatos (Blues/Cajun) 6-9 p.m., Sun — Green Billies (Folk/Bluegrass) 3-6 p.m.

La Cumbre Brewing — 872-0225

(Open every day at noon)

Beers: Blanche Burque (Begian White), No, You’re a Dort! (Dortmunder ale), BEER (classic American pilsner), Pale 32 (low gravity ale), Miles from Cologne (Kolsch). No, You’re a Dort! is a full-bodied German-style pale lager that mixes La Cumbre’s penchant for witty beer names with their interest in old world beers. This full bodied Dortmunder is something you don’t want to miss.

News: Check out La Cumbre’s Elevated IPA in cans where better beers are sold.

Music: Weds — Phillip Gibbs 6-9 p.m., Sat — Odd Dog 7-10 p.m.

Marble Brewery — 243-2739

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

Beers: Red Light Lager, Imperial Red, Rye PA, Double White Ale. I had an opportunity to get a pint of the Red Light Lager. This tasty amber lager is smoother than Marble’s regular Red Ale. With less hops, a fruity flavor, and a lower alcohol content (4.2% ABV), this is a very drinkable beer for long summer days.

Music: Weds — Nikelle and Sage 5-7 p.m., Liv 8-11 p.m., Thurs — Todd and The Fox 8-11 p.m., Fri — Aladocious 8-11 p.m., Sat —  Cactus Tractor 5-7 p.m., Liv 8-11 p.m., Squash Blossom Boys 8-11 p.m., Sun — Rock Solid Fest 2-9 p.m. (featuring Gimme My Moon Back, Becoming Relics, Blaze the Nation, Mondo Vibrations, and Red Light Cameras)

Nexus Brewery — 242-4100

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

Beers: Brown Ale, Imperial Cream Ale, Beam Me Up Scottish. When it comes to smooth beers, no one beats Nexus Brewery, and Brown Ale, Imperial Cream, and Scottish are perfect examples. Stoutmeister highly recommends the Brown: “It’s a little sweet and definitely full-bodied, with a crisp finish. It rivals Il Vicino’s Slow Down Brown as the best of its genre on tap in town.”

News: Nexus plays host to the Young, Dumb, and Full of Comedy open mic on Tuesday at 7:30 p.m. in the Sunroom. Nexus will also play host to the first day of the IPA Challenge this Sunday at noon.

Music: Thurs — Racine Kreyol 6 p.m., Sat — Chava & the Paid My Dues Band 6 p.m., Sun —  Smooth Jazz Sundays noon, I’ll Drink to That 4 p.m.

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: Mustachio Milk Stout, Belgian White, Barnstorm, Apple Cider. I can’t say this emphatically enough, THE MUSTACHIO MILK STOUT IS BACK!!!!!!!!!! That’s all I have to say.

News: Tractor will have their final zoning hearing on growler sales on Tuesday at 1:30 (see above for more details).

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: Rye IPA (over 100 IBU, 6.8% ABV), Arsenal Porter, Nit Wit (Witbeir), Hybrid IPA, PNB Brown, Hop Duster IPA, Oatmeal IPA, Big Toe Barley Wine, 2009 Sierra Nevada Big Foot Barley Wine, Hop Duster on cask. TMBC created their Big Toe Barley Wine as an homage to Sierra Nevada’s Big Foot Barley Wine. Now both are on tap as Brewer’s Specials. The Crew had the pleasure of sampling both of these sweet, high-gravity offerings last Thursday when we interviewed TMBC owner Nico Ortiz. Sample these delicious beers at Turtle Mountain and read our interview with Nico on this Web site later this week.

News: TMBC has begun brewing their Octoberfest, which should be ready by September. With great beer comes great patience!

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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