Happy Thanksgiving, fellow craft beer lovers, this is E-Rock here this Monday, as I am almost every Monday, to keep you up to date on all of the seasonal beers, music, and events served up in and around the Albuquerque metro area.
It’s hard to pin down a theme for new seasonals in the 505 this week. Local breweries and tap rooms are serving up porters, browns, imperial cream ales, and even an Oktoberfest. With all the diversity at the taps, I will dispense with finding any common themes and just head straight to listing new beers on tap around town this week: Bad Ass Brewery has new batches of their 3 Way IPA and Torn Kilt on tap. Chama River brought back their Chamafest. La Cumbre has their Pecos Porter back on tap this week. Il Vicino has new batches of their ESB and Cherry Chocolate Milk Stout on the way. Marble is now serving Curvee Rouge and Pumpkin Porter. Nexus is bringing back their award-winning and generally awesome Imperial Cream Ale. Turtle Mountain has a new batch of Texas Twister Brown on tap.
That is just a small sample of what is going on in and around the Albuquerque area. Continue reading for all the news that is fit to blog for the week of Nov. 19.
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: No new seasonals at this time.
News: We are still anxiously awaiting Ben Miller’s newest creation to hit the taps at ABP.
Back Alley Draft House — 766-6973 (NYPD)
(Hours 5 p.m.-11 p.m. daily)
Beers: The Maple’s Shade, Goat Head IPA, Raspberry Blonde (6.5% ABV), Goat Head IPA, Saison, Cherry Wheat. On Saturday at BADH tapped The Maple’s Shade. According to BADH’s facebook page, The Maple’s Shade is brewed so that “silky sheets of chocolate malts, roasted barley and dark Belgian candi syrup blanket the palate while subtle hints of maple manifest in the finish.” (11.8% ABV, 87 IBU) Most of the Crew — myself, Stoutmeister, Cryptogrind, and Shilling — were present for the tapping this past Saturday. Compared to the Hopfest version, this was a deeper, richer beer, with strong stout hints meshing up perfectly with the Belgian candi and maple syrups. It was a delightful beer, though oh boy was it powerful. After one pint apiece we were pretty well done. Prepare yourself properly if you head down to Back Alley before this small-batch beer runs out.
Bad Ass Brewery — 918-2337
(Mon–Thurs 4 p.m.–10:30 p.m., Fri–Sat 3 p.m.–midnight, Sun 4–7 p.m.)
Beers: 3 Way IPA, Torn Kilt, Eat Your Oatmeal Stout, Triple Chocolate Stout, Zombie, English Brown Smog, C Squared, Double Headed Zombie, Belgian Mistress, Sunburn, Matt’s Wine Barrel Sour, Nutty Cafe Porter, Charlies Old Red, Desert Rose, Half Dressed Ale, 66 Pinup Porter. The Zombie IPA is a favorite among BAB’s patrons, so it tends to run out fast. Enjoy this fresh batch while you have the chance.
Events: BAB will be screening the new episode of The Walking Dead this Sunday at 7 p.m. Drop by early for good seats and check out the new food menu before the show starts. It’s always best to eat your food before the zombies start eating people on the screen.
Bosque Brewing Company — 750-7596
(Mon–Thurs 11:30 a.m.–11 p.m., Fri–Sat 2 p.m.–midnight)
Beers: Oatmeal Stout, Old Boskey (Porter), Ember IPA, Bosque Burnin’ (Red), Kindling (Golden), Mellow Brit (Brown), Cumulus IPA.
News: BBC’s next creation is a Scotch Ale which should be hitting taps in about two weeks.
Broken Bottle Brewery — 890-8777
(Mon–Fri 4 p.m.–midnight, Sat noon–midnight, Sun noon–10 p.m.)
Beers: Tom Selleck (Cranberry) Ale, Mayflower (Sweet Potato Oatmeal) Stout, Trav’s Beer (Belgian Sour), Debacle Pumpkin Ale. Stoutmeister gives thumbs up to the semi-sweet, fairly subtle Mayflower and calls the Tom Selleck “a perfect, post-Thanksgiving dessert beer.”
Events: B3 has $3 pints all day Tuesday. On Wednesday, B3 will be hosting their new open mic, and they will be showing football throughout the day on Sunday and The Walking Dead starting at 7 p.m.
Chama River Brewing Company — 342-1800
(Sun–Thurs 11 a.m.–11 p.m., Fri–Sat 11 a.m.–midnight)
Beers: Chamafest, Punkin Drublic, Citra Pale Ale, Union Jackalope (English IPA). Chamafest, called Chamarzen last year, is a German-style fest beer.
Il Vicino Brewing Canteen — 881-2737
(Sun–Thurs noon–10 p.m., Fri–Sat noon–midnight)
Beers: Cherry Chocolate Milk Stout, Pumpkin, ESB, Irish Red, Exodus IPA, Rhapsody (Bohemian Pilsner), Dark Matter Pilsner, Every Day IPA (5.8%, 70 IBU), Oaked Rye PA, India Pale Lager. IV will tap one keg of the Cherry Chocolate Milk Stout on Friday at noon. I had a chance to sample this tasty bronze-winning beer at the Great American Beer Festival. This is the last keg from that batch. I can say from experience that this is a sweet and smooth beer with distinct chocolate and cherry flavors that make for a perfect dessert beer. The folks at IV say they have another batch in the works. I say why wait? Is there a better way to celebrate Black Friday than with tasty beer? I think not.
News: The Everyday IPA is on tap for Cask Wednesday and the Wet Mountain IPA with added Cascade hops will be on cask Saturday.
Music: Tues — Greg Ruggiero (Jazz) 6-9 p.m., Sun — Keith Sanchez (Songwriter) 3-6 p.m.
La Cumbre Brewing — 872-0225
(Open every day at noon)
Beers: Pecos Porter, Trout (English-style) Pale Ale, Heirloom IPA, Autumn Breeze (Amber Ale), La Roja Grande (Imperial Red), Hoppy Hippie Organic Ale, Dunkel Hefe. As far as I know, the Hoppy Hippie is Albuquerque’s first organic IPA.
Music: Wed — Alex Maryol 6-9 p.m., Sat — Todd & The Fox 7-10 p.m.
Marble Brewery — 243-2739
(Mon–Sat 1 p.m.–midnight, Sun 1 p.m.–10:30 p.m.)
Beers: Curvee Rouge, Dark Secret (Brown Lager), Rye Something, Pumpkin Porter, No Shoe Brew, Imperial Red (9.0% ABV). The Imperial Red is the GABF bronze medal winner for 2012. According to Marble’s web site, the Imperial Red was brewed with “generous additions of our favorite hop varieties blended harmoniously with long layers of dark caramel malts.”
News: The Pumpkin Ale with brown sugar is on cask this Friday.
Mickey C’s Brewery — 798-1970 (located in Sandia Chile Grill)
(Mon–Sat 8 a.m.–8 p.m., Sun 8 a.m.–6 p.m.)
Beers: ESB, Smoked Porter, Double Pilsner (8% ABV), Amber Ale (6% ABV), Irish Red Ale (6% ABV).
News: For those who do not know, Mickey’s Brewery and Sandia Chile Grill are under the same roof, so you can enjoy great New Mexican food with your beer such as their $10 double chicken enchilada and beer special served with beans, potatoes, chile, and a 16-ounce beer. Mickey C’s new Imperial Irish Red is slated for release this month.
Nexus Brewery — 242-4100
(Mon–Thurs 2 p.m.–10 p.m., Fri–Sun 11 a.m.–midnight)
Beers: Imperial Cream Stout, Barley Wine, Equinox Spiced Brown. At 9.2% ABV, Nexus’ new Barley Wine packs quite a punch. But be warned, Nexus has a way of brewing high alcohol content beers that go down smoother than a pilsner. Make sure to order a hardy meal with this bad boy. Derek and Stoutmeister sampled this one on Monday; both labeled it “dangerous, since you don’t taste the alcohol, just the sweet.”
News: Look for the Maximus (Double) IPA which should be hitting Nexus taps starting next week. In a bit of sad news, the ESB has been removed from Nexus’ regular lineup. It will return from time to time as a seasonal, but this means no more mixing up Ken’s Concoction, the delicious combo of the ESB and the Scottish ale that owner Ken Carson once created.
Events: As always, Nexus plays host to the Young, Dumb, and Full of Comedy open mic on Tuesday at 7:30 p.m. in the Sunroom.
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: Apple Cider, Black Eye’d PA, Milk Moustachio Stout, Black Ops Pale Ale, Black Beauty Pilsner, Adebisi (black lager), Lunas De Los Muertos Imperial Stout, Pilsner #15, Sticky Fingers Brown Ale. Beer Noir kicked off on Halloween with more beers than you can shake a stick at. A number of them are still on tap, so come get them while you still can.
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: Texas Twister Brown, Milkshake Stout, Spiced Pumpkin Dark Lager, Yardsale Amber, Golden Ale, Hopduster IPA, Grandma’s Pumpkin Brown, “Dark Knight” Dark Lager, Cherry Wheat, Oktoberfest, Amnesia IPA, Hophead Red, Hybrid IPA, Cabo Lager, PNB Brown, Red Rye, Hopduster IPA on cask. According to TMBC’s website, Grandma’s Brown (1.056 OG, 15 IBU, 6.0% ABV) is a “dark, robust American Brown Ale that exemplifies a terrific balance of nuts, chocolate, and roasted malt. The abundance of special ingredients in this recipe create a finished product that Granny would be proud of.”
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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
DARK SIDE BREW CREW 