Greetings Duke City craft beer aficionados, 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.
Several breweries and tap rooms in the Albuquerque metro area are bringing back some cherished local brews just in time to help keep you warm as the cold sets in. Broken Bottle is expecting to start serving their End of Days Tripel some time this week. Bosque Brewing should have a new batch of their Scotia Scotch back on tap by about the middle of the week. The Il Vicino Canteen brought back Saint Bob’s Bourbon Barrel Aged Imperial Stout, London Calling ESB, and Irish Red. As a new offering, Il Vicino is introducing their Groping Gnome Belgian IPA. Marble has a trio of their classic seasonals coming to taps this week including the Abbey Darkness, Dopel Bock, and Jezebel. Turtle Mountain brought back their Oatmeal IPA and American Wheat to taps as well.
That is just a small sample of what is going on in and around the 505. Continue reading for all the news that is fit to blog for the week of Jan. 14.
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: Ben Miller brews a seasonal brew for ABP several times a year. His newest creation should be making its way to the taps in the 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 resident Dj Beatnick and guest DJ Brendangerous 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, Belgian Mistress, Matt’s Wine Barrel Sour, Nutty Cafe, Desert Rose, Eat Your Oatmeal. Matt’s Wine Barrel Sour is a tasty concoction that adds hints of apple to give this sour beer a unique flavor that reminds me of the sour puckers candy that I used to eat when I was younger.
Events: BAB will be showing the NFL Conference Championships on Sunday. BAB will also be showing the new season of The Walking Dead starting on Feb. 10.
Bosque Brewing Company — 750-7596
(Mon–Thurs 11:30 a.m.–11 p.m., Fri–Sat 2 p.m.–midnight)
Beers: Scotia Scotch, California Commons, Ember IPA, Brewer’s Boot Amber Ale, Bitter Brit English IPA, 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.”
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% it’s sure to put some hair on your chest!” The End of Days Tripel should be on tap some time this 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 Conference Championships on Sunday.
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. He also gives thumbs up to the Me Llamo Lodo, which at 7.2-percent ABV is more drinkable than most imperial styles.
Il Vicino Brewing Canteen — 881-2737
(Sun–Thurs noon–10 p.m., Fri–Sat noon–midnight)
Beers: London Calling ESB, Irish Red, Groping Gnome Belgian IPA, Saint Bob’s Bourbon Barrel Aged Imperial Stout, Sasquatch Scotch, Marzen, Dark American Lager, Baltic Porter. Solstice Blackout was a big success at the Canteen. Only the Dark American Lager and the Baltic Porter are left on tap, so IV has brought back several favorites to fill out the roster. Also on tap this week is the brand new Groping Gnome Belgian IPA. Clocking in at 65 IBU and 7.2-percent ABV, this light, yet hoppy, offering is sure to become a classic in its own right.
News: An IPA made with Amarillo and summit hops is on tap for Cask Wednesday and an ESB with Kent goldings will be on cask Saturday.
Music: Tues — Gregg Daigle Duo (Americana/Roots) 6-9 p.m., Sun — Russel James Pyle & Safety Committee (Roots/Rock) 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 — Chris Dracup 7-10 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: Abbey Darkness, Dopel Bock, Jezebel, Daisy Mae, 2013 Marble Reserve, Brew Cut Volume 1, 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.”
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, 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 soon.
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: Oatmeal IPA, American Wheat, Celtic Brown, Iron Man (Black IPA), Hoptimus Prime (Double IPA), Molasses Porter (6.3% ABV, 30 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 will be at Winter Fest this Friday in Santa Fe. Drop by and sample some of the tasty brews that are now gracing their menu. Some of the Crew are heading out to Turtle Mountain itself on Saturday to watch the opening day of the NHL season (to warn the staff, if things get chippy in the Penguins-Flyers game, it might get chippy between Stoutmeister and Brandon) and try all the new beers on tap.
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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 