Greetings Burque beer lovers, this is E-Rock here to bring you another Monday installment of the Week Ahead in Beer. As always, this column is designed to keep you up to date on all of the seasonal beers, music, and events served up in and around the Albuquerque metro area.
No matter what part of the metro area that you like to frequent, there are new seasonal beers waiting for your discerning palate. Back Alley Draft House has a new Belgian White and a new batch of Goat Head IPA on tap. Broken Bottle is expecting to start serving their End of Days Tripel by the end of the week. Bosque Brewing has a new batch of Ember IPA back on tap, they will be introducing their new California Commons by the end of the week. Chama River is introducing Me Llamo Lodo, their new imperial brown, this week. La Cumbre has a pair of supper hoppy pale ales coming to taps this week named the Full Nelson and Whirlpool Pale Ale. Nexus should have their new Amber Bock on tap by Thursday or Friday. Turtle Mountain is starting their St. Patrick’s Day celebrations early this year with their Celtic Brown now on tap.
That is just a small sample of what is going on in and around the Duke City. Continue reading for all the news that is fit to blog for the week of Jan. 7.
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: It’s been a long wait, but Ben Miller’s newest creation should be making its way to the taps at ABP in the new near future.
Back Alley Draft House — 766-6973 (NYPD)
(Hours 5 p.m.-11 p.m. daily)
Beers: Belgian White, Goat Head IPA, Goat Head Imperial Red, Goat Head Raspberry Blonde, JC’s Pale Ale, Melia Belgian Strong Ale. Goat Head IPA is back on tap at BADH. Goat Head brews a solid IPA that compares favorably to any you will find in town, which says a lot seeing as the IPA seems to be the unofficial beer style of Albuquerque. If you haven’t tried it yet, I highly recommend it. We (Stoutmeister and I) had a chance to try the Imperial Red, which is a hoppy beast that compares with the finest hop-infused reds that Marble produces.
Music: Thurs — Underground Etiquette Thursdays featuring Dj Beatnick, Dj Daze, and Rahim 8 p.m.
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: C Squared, 3 Way IPA, 66 Pinup Porter, Charlie’s Old Red, Midnight Imperial Stout, Torn Kilt, English Brown Smog, Belgian Mistress, Matts Wine Barrel Sour, Nutty Cafe, Desert Rose, Dragon Blood, Eat Your Oatmeal. The BAB staff is especially excited about the Midnight Imperial Stout. I had a flight of this stout recently. This bad boy clocks in at 10-percent ABV with 25 IBU, and it is smooth with a nice smoked flavor. It could be BAB’s tastiest offering to date. If you have never been to BAB or haven’t been there in a while, this is definitely the time to go and the Midnight Imperial Stout is the beer to have.
Events: BAB’s biweekly Open Mic returns this Tuesday with signups starting at 7 p.m.
Bosque Brewing Company — 750-7596
(Mon–Thurs 11:30 a.m.–11 p.m., Fri–Sat 2 p.m.–midnight)
Beers: California Commons, Ember IPA, Brewer’s Boot Amber Ale, Bitter Brit English IPA, Oatmeal Stout, Olde Bosky (Porter), Kindling (Golden), Mellow Brit (Brown), Cumulus IPA. California Commons is a Steam Beer, which is one of the few beer styles created in the United States. According to BBC’s website, Kindling is “a smooth and crisp Golden Ale. Very drinkable.” Bitter Brit is “an English IPA, with subtle citrus notes.” Mellow Brit is “an English Brown with hints of honey.” And Olde Bosky is “a robust porter with roasted and coffee undertones.”
News: BBC’s Oatmeal Stout is running low and will soon be replaced by the California Commons. Get it before it’s gone and help BBC make room for new beer. It’s a win-win proposition!
Broken Bottle Brewery — 890-8777
(Mon–Fri 4 p.m.–midnight, Sat noon–midnight, Sun noon–10 p.m.)
Beers: End of Days Tripel, Cracked Cork BarleyWine, Xico Suave, Anamole (Chocolate Red Chile Stout), Debacle Pumpkin Ale. According to B3’s website, their Cracked Cork BarleyWine is “a nice, slightly sweet barley wine fermented with raisins. Has a great caramel flavor and at 10% its sure to put some hair on your chest!” The End of Days Tripel should be on tap by the end of the week.
News: B3 is now serving a limited menu in the taproom. The food is provided by one of ABQ’s best new restaurants, Paco’s. They have things like roasted duck quesadillas, chips & queso and much more. Also, on Feb. 10, they will host a Beer Pairing Dinner catered by Paco’s, with tickets now available at B3.
Events: B3 has $3 beers every Tuesday from open to close. On Wednesday, B3 will be hosting their open mic from 8-10 p.m., with signups starting at 7:30 p.m. They will be showing the NFL Divisional Series throughout the day on Saturday and Sunday.
Music: Fri — Waylaid 8 p.m.-midnight.
Chama River Brewing Company — 342-1800
(Sun–Thurs 11 a.m.–11 p.m., Fri–Sat 11 a.m.–midnight)
Beers: Me Llamo Lodo (Imperial Brown), Copper John PA, Centennial PA, Shadow Boxer (Black IPA). Me Llamo Lodo is an imperial version of Chama’s Rio Lodo Brown Ale. According to a post on Chama’s Facebook page, the Black IPA Shadow Boxer is “very dark in color with a punchy hop flavor and aroma, finishing with a hint of roast malt.” (6.6% ABV, 65 IBU) Stoutmeister tried the Shadow Boxer and highly recommends it.
Il Vicino Brewing Canteen — 881-2737
(Sun–Thurs noon–10 p.m., Fri–Sat noon–midnight)
Beers: Sasquatch Scotch, Marzen, Exodus, Aphelion Black IPA, Milk Chocolate Cherry Stout, Dark American Lager, Baltic Porter, Oatmeal Stout. Remnants of Solstice Blackout remain at the Canteen, but these dark gems are beginning to run out. IV has already replaced the Dark-n-Lusty Stout with a trio of their most popular seasonal beers including the Sasquatch Scotch, Exodus IPA, and Marzen.
News: The ESB is on tap for Cask Wednesday and the Coffee Stout will be on cask Saturday. Saint Bob’s Bourbon Barrel Aged Imperial Stout will be out in the next two weeks. We had a chance to sample it, and oh, boy, is it powerful. Handle it with care, or your liver might move out and not leave a forwarding address.
Music: Tues — Felix y Los Gatos Duo (Blues/Cajun) 6-9 p.m., Sun — The Porter Draw Trio (indie/Americana) 3-6 p.m.
La Cumbre Brewing — 872-0225
(Open every day at noon)
Beers: Full Nelson (Double IPA), Whirlpool Pale Ale, Noche de Paz, Barrel-Aged Russian Imperial Stout, Potter’s PA (Belgian-style pale ale), Hot Shots Rauch (Rauchbier). La Cumbre’s website had this to say about the Full Nelson, “If our Elevated IPA is on the hoppy side of the aisle for you, stay away. If you drink that beer and think to yourself in Homer Simpson’s voice, ‘That’s kinda hoppy… I guess …’ prepare to meet your match. This beer is gonna put the beat down. Will you tap out before you finish the pint?” (8.7% ABV, IBU: A lot!) LC’s website also described the brewing processes used to create the Whirlpool Pale Ale. “We started with Marris Otter, the very finest pale malt money can buy, added a small amount of caramel malt and went about our regular boil, but only added hops after the boil was over. 25 lbs. of a blend of some of our favorite hops were added to give the beer an enormous perfumey aroma and flavor … and hopefully some bitterness.” (4.2% ABV, IBU: ???)
Music: Wed — The Watermelon Mountain Jug Band 7-10 p.m., Sat — The Rudy Boy Experiment 7-10 p.m.
Marble Brewery — 243-2739
(Mon–Sat 1 p.m.–midnight, Sun 1 p.m.–10:30 p.m.)
Beers: Daisy Mae, 2013 Marble Reserve, Brew Cut Volume 1, Brown Porter, Dark Secret (Brown Lager), Pumpkin Porter, Imperial Red (9.0% ABV). Brew Cut Volume 1 is a barrel-aged Imperial Red. According to their website, the 2013 Marble Reserve is their “much-anticipated annual holiday offering. This American strong ale spends months in oak bourbon barrels before it is deemed ready for release. This year’s batch is replete with molasses and vanilla notes.” Daisy Mae is a Brett-forward Farmhouse Ale that “features a delicate tartness tempered with Belgian wit spiciness.” (7.0% ABV, $7/Goblet) And the Brown Porter is Tim Lambert’s State Fair Best-of-Show winner. (5% ABV, $4/Pints) Stoutmeister gives thumbs up to the Brown Porter, noting it is a unique hybrid of traditional smoked porter and nut brown flavors.
Events: Check out Marble’s cask (a.k.a. “real” ale) selection on tap every Friday at the Downtown Pub.
Nexus Brewery — 242-4100
(Mon–Thurs 2 p.m.–10 p.m., Fri–Sun 11 a.m.–midnight)
Beers: Amber Bock, Chocolate Porter, Maximus (Double) IPA, Imperial Cream Stout, Barley Wine. At 9.2-percent 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 recently; both labeled it “dangerous, since you don’t taste the alcohol, just the sweet.” The Chocolate Porter was popular among the entire Crew, who had a rare meeting of the minds a few weeks ago at Nexus.
Events: Nexus serves up Happy Hour All Day on Tuesday featuring $3 pints. They also have Ladies Night on Wednesday from 4-6 p.m. featuring $3 pints for the ladies. Nexus will have NFL playoff games Sunday with $7 wings starting at 11 a.m.
Sandia Chile Grill — 798-1970
(Mon–Sat 8 a.m.–8 p.m., Sun 8 a.m.–6 p.m.)
Beers: IPA (6.5% ABV, 100 IBU), Hefeweizen, ESB, Amber Ale (6% ABV), Irish Red Ale (6% ABV). SCG has made an IPA especially for all you hopheads out there. At 100 IBU, SCG’s new IPA is sure to give your taste buds a dry, bitter experience fitting for any Burqueño. While you’re there, grab a meal smothered in red and/or green chile. It doesn’t get more New Mexican than that.
News: At Sandia Chile Grill 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. SCG’s Milk Stout (with added malts and hints of smoked flavors) should be on tap shortly after the new year.
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: Man Der Damm Lager, Turkey Drool, Adebisi (black lager), Lunas De Los Muertos Imperial Stout. Man Der Damm Lager is group-effort brew dedicated to the late Javier Garcia. This year’s Turkey Drool checks in lighter in alcohol (6.5 percent vs. 7.8), with a more subtle opening, but still that multi-flavored finish that makes it so unique. Stoutmeister tried it and found it an improvement over last year’s more powerful version.
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: Celtic Brown, Iron Man (Black IPA), Hoptimus Prime (Double IPA), Molasses Porter (6.3% ABV, 30 IBU), Imperial Baltic Porter (7.6% ABV, 25 IBU), 3-Galloot’s Pale Ale, Collateral Damage Barley Wine, Hybrid IPA, Cabo Lager, Red Rye, Collateral Damage Barley Wine on cask. TMBC’s web site has this to say about the Celtic Brown, “We are gearing up for St. Patties Day with this delicious Celtic Brown. The chocolate, melanoidin, carapils and victory malts are perfect accomplices to the chinook hops.” (5.5% ABV, 25 IBU, 1.054 OG)
News: TMBC has some intriguing news beers coming to taps in the near future including the American Wheat, Oatmeal IPA, and White Knight. For all you Albuquerque denizens that love craft beer, if you haven’t made the trek up to Rio Rancho recently, TMBC’s current and upcoming collection of beers are well worth the drive.
* * * *
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 