This Saturday, Blue Corn Brewery’s annual Cask Festival is back for a third round. Featuring food specials and beer from six of the Santa Fe area breweries, as well as a couple from our friends to the north, this event will once again give beer lovers plenty to sample and enjoy.

This year the breweries in attendance include host Blue Corn Brewery, Chili Line Brewing, Rowley Farmhouse Ales, Santa Fe Brewing, Second Street Brewery, Tumbleroot Brewery & Distillery, Bathtub Row Brewing Co-op, and Red River Brewing.

Without further ado, here is the beer list.

• Blue Corn: Tamarind Sour
• Chili Line: Tropical Fruit Stout with coconut, mango, and passion fruit
• Rowley Farmhouse Ales: Oyster Stout with banana
• Santa Fe Brewing: Lotus IPA
• Second Street: Bonebreaker ESB
• Tumbleroot: Dry Irish Stout
• Bathtub Row: Secret
• Red River: Back 40 Farmhouse Ale

Blue Corn’s excellent chef, Josh Ortiz, has created a special menu of shareable items available to pair with the varying styles of beers. You can expect jumbo shrimp & grits, sautéed mushroom caps, bacon poutine fries, and creole jambalaya, as well as the rest of the available Blue Corn menu.

I caught up with Blue Corn’s head brewer, Paul Mallory, to ask him a few questions about the event.

DSBC: What are you looking forward to most about this year’s event?

Mallory: I am looking forward to having a wide ranging group of customers. Since we aren’t charging an admission, I’m hoping more people show up. They can buy as much or as little as they want — flights, pints, short pours, food specials, etc. Some of my friends who didn’t want to spend $45 for a beer dinner might be more likely to come to an event like this.

DSBC: And, why do you think small festivals like this are important?

Mallory: I like small festivals like this because many of the brewers and beer industry people show up. It is good to get everyone together every once in a while. They get to enjoy themselves without working the event. Customers also like to chat with the brewers.

DSBC: Which of your beers (currently on tap) are you most excited for people to come try?

Mallory: We have a new Gatkeeper IPA batch on. We brewed it with Rakau hops. Rakau is a super juicy hop from New Zealand. Also, we should have a Scotch Ale on that we are really excited about.

DSBC: What’s the ticket situation this year?

Mallory: We are not selling tickets. People can just show up and buy whatever they want — flights, pints, short pours, 4-ounce pours, food specials, regular food menu, regular Blue Corn beers.

* * * * *

Who: Blue Corn Brewery and other Santa Fe area and northern region breweries

What: 3rd Annual Cask Festival!

Where: Blue Corn Brewery – 4056 Cerrillos Road, Santa Fe

When: Saturday, noon–5 p.m.

Why you should go: It’s an excellent chance to head out for a fun Saturday and meet the local breweries and some of their brewers. Mixing industry people and beer lovers always make for a hell of a party, and Blue Corn really knows how to throw a party. Every time we go, we end up happy and stuffed. The value of the beer and the food, and conversation from other attendees always make each event held at the brewery worth the price of admission. But, this time, the best part is the event is free to attend. You just pay for what you want to try. How hungry and thirsty are you, New Mexico?

To the first festing and feasting of spring with Blue Corn Brewery, cheers!

— Luke

If you’d like to know more about why I don’t drink Ginger beers, follow me on Twitter @SantaFeCraftBro.