By now, you’ve probably have already heard of Roy Solomon’s new Green Jeans-style project coming soon to the Northeast Heights in Albuquerque. If you haven’t caught the story, click on over to our friends at ABQ Business First for the details about the new shipping-container project called Tin Can Alley. They have the scoop on the restaurants and other establishments that will reside on the northeast corner of Alameda and San Pedro.

But, if you’re not bent on switching over, and because we’re the Dark Side Brew Crew, we’ve got a few more details on the beer side of things.

The story mentions that Santa Fe Brewing Company will open yet another taproom in this new Albuquerque location. But, how can that be, since they are maxed out with three existing off-site taprooms?

Friend to the industry and Crew, Brian K. BikeRider asked, on Facebook: “According to the report (…), a Santa Fe brewing taproom will be located at this new development. As most know, State law allows local brewers to have a tasting room at their brewery and three off-side taprooms. Right now, Santa Fe Brewing has three off-site taprooms: Green Jeans Farmery (Albuquerque), Eldorado (Santa Fe), and the Brakeroom (Santa Fe).

He continues, “This begs the question when this SFBC taproom opens at the new Tin Can Alley development in Albuquerque, which existing taproom is going away?”

Good question, Mr. BikeRider, good question.

For answers, we decided to go straight to the source, Santa Fe Brewing owner Brian Lock. In an email, he replied, “Santa Fe Brewing Co. has applied for a Small Wine Grower License with AGD (Alcohol and Gaming Division) back in August and will be going in front of the BCC here in Santa Fe on October 30 for the license approval. Santa Fe Brewing Co. has been doing R&D for the past four months producing its own cider and provided the license is granted, then three additional taprooms will become available under that license. So my plan is not to close any existing taprooms, unless the approval does not go through, in which case I will have to make a decision.”

So, there you go. I think we got the answer we were looking for, for now. And, we’ll have to wait and see how things press out. Ha. And, bonus, we got to take a sneak peek into the future direction of Santa Fe Brewing! How do you like them apples?

Now, in case you didn’t grab the details from the other article, they’re aiming at doing much of the same as they had with Green Jeans Farmery with a lot more space to work with, this includes taking care of previous concerns, for example, doubling the parking. And, if you previously had trouble finding a seat on their rooftop patio at Green Jeans, there will be about 7,000 square feet of space with mountain views to enjoy SFBC’s latest creations paired with some international cuisine.

The new SFBC taproom will be around 4,500 square feet, but the plan is that the entire complex will be permitted, so you can take your beer and wander around with it like a Hawaiian shirt-wearing party guy in Vegas or New Orleans.

The new shipping container mega facility will be located on the corner of Alameda and San Pedro. They’re looking at a July opening, so it’s my guess/opinion that it’ll be another September opening for Solomon and company. (You know how things go with permitting/licensing in ABQ.)

To another fun location for families with adults to play in the ABQ area, and to Santa Fe Brewing Company’s future success, cheers!

— Luke

For more #CraftBeer news, @nmdarksidebc info, and my beer ‘reviews,’ follow me on Twitter @SantaFeCraftbro!