Hello, my name is E-Rock, and I will be your guide to the wonderful world of what’s new at Burque-area breweries. For the most part, there aren’t too many new beers on tap this week since most local breweries have been focusing on the ongoing IPA Challenge. There are three notable exceptions — Bad Ass Brewery, Il Vicino Canteen, and Tractor Brewing each have many new beers on tap this week. Bad Ass is debuting Naked Euphoria (a 13% ABV barley wine), Il Vicino Canteen is releasing its Dark Pilsner and Boysenberry Wheat, and Tractor is unleashing its Otter IPA, “Nut” What You Think Brown Ale, and Chug Hole Double IPA.

On a personal note, my good friends, The Lonesome Heroes, will be playing at Marble on Wednesday from 8-11 p.m. The Lonesome Heroes are a great band from Austin that performs psychedelic country music. Come out and join me for great music and great beer.

Now that I have covered the big stuff and threw in a shameless plug, here is all the news that is fit to blog for the week of July 23.

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 (NYPD)

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

Beers: Cherry Wheat, “The Streets” Saison, Goathead Pale Ale, Goathead IPA. “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.

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: Naked Euphoria, Utter Insanity, Torn Kilt, Half Dressed Ale, Charlies Old Red, 3-Way IPA, Matts Smoked Ale, C-Squared, Hefe Rojo, Triple Chocolate. Naked Euphoria (Barley Wine), coming in at 13%, is now on tap. This bad boy is $6 a half pint and is limited to two per person.

News: Bad Ass will be hosting an open mic on Tuesday at 7 p.m. and they are 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, and B.B.B. will have their weekly Breaking Bad viewing party on Sunday at 8 p.m.

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: Dark Pilsner, Boysenberry Wheat, Belgian Wit, Sasquatch Scotch, Exodus IPA, Saison d’Guil, Irish Red, Red Rye, Aztec (Mexican Lager). The Dark Pilsner is similar in flavor to Il Vicino’s regular Pilsner, but this hoppy offering is almost like a brown ale in color. Also, the new batch of Sasquatch Scotch is made from a slightly tweaked recipe, and IV’s faithful are encouraged to give it a try and let us know how you like the new recipe.

News: The Oaked Stout is on tap for Cask Wednesday and the Amarillo Oaked Amber is 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 — Alex Maryol (Acoustic Blues) 6-9 p.m., Sun — Keith Sanchez (Songwriter)  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.

Music: Weds — 1000 Words 7-10 p.m., Sat — The Gregg Daigle Band 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 — Curtis and Cassandra 5-7 p.m., The Lonesome Heroes 8-11 p.m., Thurs — In Cahoots 6-7:30 p.m., Jeramiah Red with Nicole Vaughn and Her Lovely Band 8-11 p.m., Fri — Little Sister 8-11 p.m., Sat —  Saturday Night Fever Blisters 8-11 p.m.

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.

Music: Thurs — Black Turquoise 6 p.m., Sat — Racine Kreyol 6 p.m., Sun —  Smooth Jazz Sundays noon.

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: Chug Hole Double IPA, Otter IPA, “Nut” What You Think Brown Ale, Golden Belgian, Pilsner, Mustachio Milk Stout, Barnstorm. The Golden Belgian and Pilsner are of limited quantity, so get a pint of each while supplies last. The Otter IPA is made from unfiltered British otter malts. Stoutmeister visited Tractor on Sunday night and tried the “Nut” What You Think Brown Ale. He had this to say: “It is another unique offering from Tractor. Much like the holiday favorite, Turkey Drool, this beer wallops you with a dozen different flavors in every sip. Try it and let us know what you think!”

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.

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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