Attention West Side and Rio Rancho beer lovers, you can join ABQbeer.com this Saturday at Cazuela’s Mexican Grill and Brewery for their first ever MiniFest! A more intimate experience than some of the larger festivals around town, 250 attendees will be treated to patio party perfection, with garden-like surroundings, a dazzling view of the Sandias, local craft brews, live tunes from the Woohabs and Felix y Los Gatos, and the flavorful fabulousness of Cazuela’s traditional homemade Mexican fare. The breweries in attendance, besides the host, are Red Door, Ponderosa, and Albuquerque Brewing. Your ticket price includes a tasting glass and three 4-ounce samples of craft beers from some of the metro area’s finest breweries.

As always, people want to know what is on tap, so here is what was listed as of Thursday.
Cazuela’s — Beerita, Kilt Kicker (Scottish), Acapulco Gold (Lager), Piedra Del Fuego (Stoned Cream Ale), Beer For My Horses (Oatmeal Stout)
Ponderosa — Ripsaw Red, Bellamah Brown, Crosscut Kolsch, American Wheat
Albuquerque Brewing — 505 Bananas (Saison), SMO Stout
Red Door — Vanilla Cream Ale, Broken Arrow Pale Ale, Roamer Red, and their new seasonal, Ryeson Sun Saison

For those who still have not been there, Cazuela’s is located at 4051 Sara Rd. SE in Rio Rancho. Turn east on Sara road (it is the light just past Intel if you are traveling north on 528, or just before you reach Intel if you are going south on 528). You can still purchase tickets online here and there will be a few available at the door. The cost is $20 for general admission, $25 for VIP/Early Entry, and $10 for designated drivers. The event starts at 1 p.m. for VIP, 2 p.m. for everyone else and lasts until 6 p.m.

As a nice gesture, ABQBeer.com is giving $5 off tickets to the event to Brew Crew readers. Just used the promo code darkside for the discount online.

Cheers to ABQBeer.com, Cazuela’s, and the other breweries and bands for showcasing what creates our community’s own brand of colorful and cool craft. Here’s to making MiniFest a big deal!

X’s and Oats,

— Bharley Quinn
Because beer is no joke!