The Week Ahead in Beer—Groovy times and pints are upon us

Greetings Burque beer lovers, this is E-Rock here to bring you a special Tuesday installment of The Week Ahead in Beer. I had to take yesterday off to recover from the Brew Crew’s Stout Challenge/Super Bowl party. This column might be a day late, but as always it 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.

With all of the new seasonals that have been released in and around the Duke City over the last couple of weeks, this week seems like a relatively slow week for anything new. That said, there are still several great new beers making their way to taps this week. ABQ Brew Pub now has their Pecan Ale and Winter Saison on tap. Broken Bottle should be introducing the long awaited Glugg Porter some time this week. Farside Brew Pub will have either the Zombie or Double Headed Zombie IPA by Sunday, so one of these two signature beers will be on hand for the return of The Walking Dead. Il Vicino Canteen’s newest beers, The Donker (Belgian Strong Dark) and Odin’s Imperial Red, didn’t quite make it to taps last week, but they should be on tap soon. The Canteen did bring back the Cherry Belgian and Dark Matter Pilsner this week to quench your thirst while you wait. Marble has their Double White and India Wheat Ale now on tap. Nexus should have their new Extra Pale Ale on tap by Thursday or Friday. Tractor Brewing Company is introducing their Tupac California Red, Wild Wheat Belgian, and Duchess Pale Ale this week. Turtle Mountain is now serving their Irish Coffee Stout.

It’s shameless self-promotion time. My band, the Saletta Teixeira Fiasco, will be playing at Broken Bottle on Friday from 8-10 p.m. and Back Alley Draft House on Saturday from 7:30-10 p.m. We will play most requests, even if we don’t know the song! So drop by, grab a pint, and groove to the groovy tunes.

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 Feb. 4.

E-Rock, left, has uncovered all the beers worth sneaking up on this week.

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: Pecan Ale, Winter Saison, Light Color Belgian Ale. Ben Miller, a past grand prize winner of the Sam Adams Long Shot American Homebrew Contest, is bringing his home-brewing ninja skills back to APB with his new Light Color Belgian Ale. Quantities are limited, and he only brews for ABP a few times a year. So grab a pint or two while you can.

Back Alley Draft House — 766-6973 (NYPD)

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

Beers: Goat Head Java Stout, Back Alley Porter, Goat Head Barley Wine, Belgian White, Goat Head Imperial Red, Goat Head Raspberry Blonde. Several members of the Brew Crew had a chance to sample Goat Head’s Barley Wine and Java Stout at our one year anniversary party at BADH. Both beers had bold tastes that we have come to expect from Goat Head. If you are a fan of Marble beers, then you need to sample some of Goat Head’s beers, which have plenty of hops in the Imperial Red. The Java Stout compares favorably with Santa Fe’s version. If you love coffee flavor, this beer packs a ton of it.

Music: Thurs — Underground Etiquette featuring Beatnick and Delilah with special guests: TEDDY NO NAMEKODER, and Live Art by ERIN VEGA 8 p.m., Sat — The Saletta Teixeira Fiasco 8-10 p.m.

Bosque Brewing Company — 750-7596

(Mon–Thurs 11:30 a.m.–11 p.m., Fri–Sat 2 p.m.–midnight)

Beers: Boss PA, 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. Stoutmeister joked “it’s so smooth it stole three of my future girlfriends.” 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 Imperial Stout should be hitting taps next week. Also, Olde Boskey is currently out, but it should be back on tap by Wednesday.

Broken Bottle Brewery — 890-8777

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

Beers: Glugg Porter, End of Days Tripel, Cracked Cork BarleyWine, 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% (ABV) it’s sure to put some hair on your chest!”

News: The Saul Rosenberg Ale, one of B3’s most beloved beers, will be making its way to tap in the near future. As usual, B3 is 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, this Sunday, 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. On Sunday, B3 will be showing be showing the new episode of The Walking Dead.

Music: Fri — The Saletta Teixeira Fiasco 8-10 p.m.

Chama River Brewing Company — 342-1800

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

Beers: Big Head Imperial Ale, Cascade PA, Simcoe PA, Serenity Milk Stout. The Cascade and Simcoe Pale Ales take up where the Centennial and Chinook Pale Ales left off. For those who don’t know, Cascade, Simcoe, Centennial, and Chinook are hops varieties with different flavor profiles. Chama River often brews pale ales based on a single hop variety. Simcoe hops are best know for adding especially bitter aromas and flavors to pale ales, and Cascade hops are medium strength and add citrus and floral notes to an ale.

Farside Brew Pub — 918-2337

(Mon–Thurs 4 p.m.–10:30 p.m., Fri–Sat 3 p.m.–midnight, Sun 4–7 p.m.)

Beers: Zombie IPA or Double Headed Zombie, English Brown Smog, Belgian Mistress, Dead Red, Feather Weight Ale, Dragon’s Blood, Desert Rose. The folks at Farside Brew Pub have assured me that they will have either the Zombie or Double Headed Zombie IPA by Sunday, so one of these two signature beers will be on hand for the return of The Walking Dead.

News: FBP has some new specials starting this week including Monday Madness featuring all day happy hour pints and Thursday College Night (with a valid college ID) featuring a $7 Pizza and Pint Special, plus all night happy hour pints.

Events: FBP will be showing the new season of The Walking Dead on Sunday.

Il Vicino Brewing Canteen — 881-2737

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

Beers: Cherry Belgian, Dark Matter Pilsner, The Donker (Belgian Strong Dark), Odin’s Imperial Red, London Calling ESB, Irish Red, Groping Gnome Belgian IPA, Saint Bob’s Bourbon Barrel Aged Imperial Stout, Sasquatch Scotch, Dark American Lager. Odin’s Imperial Red and the Donker are not on the menu yet, but the Canteen should have them on tap soon. The Brew Crew had a sample last Friday and we can say that they are worth the wait. Odin’s Imperial Red is a beer fit for the Norse god, made with five pounds of Simcoe hops per barrel. (10.25% ABV, 100+ IBU) The Donker was brewed with dark candy sugar. (10% ABV, 23 IBU) Clocking in at 65 IBU and 7.2-percent ABV, the Groping Gnome Belgian IPA is a light, yet hoppy, offering that is sure to become a classic.

News: An IPA made with Centennial and Amarillo hops is on tap for Cask Wednesday and the Amarillo Amber will be on cask Saturday.

Music: Tues — Lee Coulter (Songwriter) 6-9 p.m., Sun — Squash Blossom Boys (Bluegrass/Folk) 3-6 p.m.

La Cumbre Brewing — 872-0225

(Open every day at noon)

Beers: BEER, Full Nelson (Double IPA), Whirlpool Pale Ale, Noche de Paz, Potter’s PA (Belgian-style pale ale), Hot Shots Rauch (Rauchbier). La Cumbre’s website had this to say about BEER, “This is by far the lightest beer that we have made, or ever will make. Utilizing 100% North American ingredients, including 25% corn, it is ‘lite,’ but it actually has flavor compared with what 95% of Americans are used to. Delicate hop nuances, and subtle esters, followed by a bone-dry finish, this is a great BEER to start the night off with.” (5.2 ABV, 25 IBU) LC’s website also described the Full Nelson Pale Ale, “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!)

Music: Wed — Reviva 7-10 p.m., Sat — Aladocious 7-10 p.m.

Marble Brewery — 243-2739

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

Beers: Double White, India Wheat Ale, Stout Americano (6.2% ABV), Saison (6.5% ABV), Abbey Darkness (8.8% ABV), Imperial Stout (10% ABV). The Stout Americano is a hybrid between an Oatmeal Stout and an Imperial Stout that was brewed with roasted coffee beans provided by R. B. Winnings Coffee (located across the street from UNM on Central). According to Marble’s website, the Imperial Stout was “aged for a full year in oak bourbon barrels, this high gravity stout is a quintessential winter warmer.” (10% ABV, $7.00/Goblet, limit 2 per customer)

Events: Dia de los Takos will be at the Downtown Pub on Wednesday from 3:30-9:30 and on Sunday.

Check out Marble’s cask (a.k.a. “real” ale) selection on tap every Friday at the Downtown Pub.

The Supper Truck parks at Marble’s Downtown Pub every Saturday.

Nexus Brewery — 242-4100

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

Beers: Extra Pale, Amber Bock, Chocolate Porter, Imperial Cream Stout, Barley Wine, Red on cask. Starting Thursday, Nexus will have their Red on cask. The Chocolate Porter is currently on cask, but it is not expected to last the day. Manuel, Nexus’ head brewer, said that their cask beers only last about four days before they run out, so grab a pint while you can. 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.”

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.

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: Tupac California Red, Wild Wheat Belgian, Duchess Pale Ale, Tractor Hard Cider, Man Der Damm Lager. Soutmeister had the Tupac California Red at WinterBrew, and he had this to say about it, “Nice middle ground between an Irish red and the hoppier reds like Marble.” Man Der Damm Lager is group-effort brew dedicated to the late Javier Garcia. The Tractor Hard Cider is sweeter than their usual cider.

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: Irish Coffee Stout, TMBC IPA, Triple Play PA, Oatmeal IPA, American Wheat, Celtic Brown, Ironman (Black IPA), Collateral Damage Barley Wine, Hybrid IPA, Cabo Lager, Red Rye, Hoptimus Prime (Double IPA) on cask. TMBC’s web site has this to say about the Irish Coffee Stout, “Anyone ready for a breakfast pint? Irish Coffee Stout is your answer! Beautifully roasty with the flaked barley and oats and nine pounds of coffee to give a little kick. Awesome finish, I think I’ll have another. Cheers!” (4.2% ABV, 25 IBU, 1.0544 OG) Stoutmeister, Shilling, Franz Solo, and Brandon all visited Turtle recently and gave positive reviews to the Celtic Brown and the Ironman.

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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

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