As we move into the second half of Beer Week, variety is the spice of life.

Today’s events include the original beer-and-donut pairing, a special sampling/tasting, a tap takeover, a beer dinner, some beer trivia, and a special educational lecture. Add it all up and there should be something for everyone.

Featured Event

Every day we will pick what we consider the biggest, most interesting, most unique event. This does not mean you should go to only this event and ignore the rest. All of them deserve your attention, but realistically, you can probably only attend a few. So we will make our daily pick, and you can either jump on it, or declare the Crew is foolish (we kinda are) and pick your own.

What: Rebel Donut and Beer Pairing. Where: Tractor Four Hills. When: two sessions at 4-6 p.m., 6-8 p.m. Cost: $11.

Details: We covered this one in our Tractor events preview, but you need to buy tickets in advance for a pairing of four donuts and four beers. The pairings are Waning Wheat with French Toast, Cowgirl Coffee with the Maple Bacon, Sodbuster Pale Ale with Birthday Cake, and Triple Chocolate with Blood Orange.

Why you should go: Rebel makes some amazing donuts and they do their homework when pairing them with Tractor’s beers.

All the other great events

What: Steel Bender Tap Takeover. Where: M’tucci’s Market and Pizzeria. When: 11 a.m. Cost: No cover charge. Details: As we mentioned in our Steel Bender events preview, there will be ETTU Brut IPA and Rosy Nosy in addition to staples like Lloyd’s 3 O’Clock Kolsch and Skull Bucket IPA. Why you should go: M’tucci’s food alone should be enough to get you across the river, but throw in some SBB beer, and you can’t let bad traffic stop you.

What: Firestone Walker Tasting. Where: Jubilation. When: 4-6 p.m. Cost: No cover charge. Details: Sample the finest bottled and canned offerings from the California brewery. Why you should go: Free beer, plus you can purchase your favorites and take them home.

What: Lecture on Hops and Climate in New Mexico. Where: Red Door Candelaria. When: 6-7 p.m. Cost: No cover charge. Details: The latest in a series of education lectures at Red Door takes on the issue of climate change and how it will affect the brewing industry, from hops farms to water usage and more. We will have a separate preview later today. Why you should go: Grab a pint and learn something.

What: Brain Gang Trivia Beer Edition. Where: Canteen Brewhouse. When: 6-8 p.m. Cost: No cover charge. Details: The popular trivia contest focuses on what’s in your pint. Why you should go: If you’ve ever considered yourself a beer expert, you might finally have an event that can prove it to everyone.

What: Founders Barrel-Aged Beer Dinner. Where: The Salt Yard, 6001 Osuna Road NE. When: 6-8 p.m. Cost: $30 (single), $50 (couple). Details: It’s a five-course dinner for a reasonable price. The beers are not all barrel-aged, but will include Solid Gold Lager, All Day IPA, Lizard of Koz, Nitro Rubeaus, and Backwoods Bastard. Why you should go: An affordable beer dinner? You gotta take advantage of this rarity with some delicious food paired up with Founders beers.

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Got any questions, comments, complaints? Send them to nmdarksidebrewcrew@gmail.com, or leave them here on our site, on Facebook, on Twitter (@nmdarksidebc), or on Instagram.

Enjoy yourselves out there, but please, do it responsibly.

Cheers!

— Stoutmeister