The annual feast festival that is Pork & Brew returns to the Rio Rancho Star Center this weekend, with three local breweries joining in on the fun.

Tractor and Turtle Mountain went so far as to do their first collaboration beer (that we know of) in the form of the Chicharrón Red Lager. Per an email from TMBC head brewer Mick Hahn, the lager checks in at 5.3-percent ABV and 34 IBU, hopped with Chinook and Sorachi Ace.

“It is juicy up front and finishes with a spiciness that should complement BBQ really nicely,“ Mick wrote.

Star Center director of marketing Alex Archuleta got to visit TMBC on the day of brewing back in May.

“It was cool for those guys to do a collaboration,” Alex asaid. “I got to go over there and check it out. You guys know about brewing, but I’ve only seen it a few times. It’s awesome. It’s such a science and it’s cool.”

In addition to the collaboration, Mick wrote that TMBC would also be pouring its GABF gold medal-winning Wooden Teeth, plus Red Rye Redux, Hopshell IPA, Darker than Darkness, Tenacious Mediocrity IPA, and Yum Yum Breeze. There will also be one special tap per day, with Preamble Pils on Friday, The Rauchette on Saturday, and Maibock on Sunday.

The beer lists for Tractor and Cazuela’s are TBA.

Pork & Brew tickets cost $6 for adults, $4 for children between 3 and 12, and $4 for seniors over 65. The event runs from 2 to 8 p.m. on Friday, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Saturday, and 11 to 5 on Sunday.

There will be an indoor area filled with jumping castles for children, plus an interior bar area for the non-craft-beer drinkers.

Alex said there will be just two outdoor stages for music this year.

“We did away with the indoor stage, it gets too loud in there,” he said. “We’ll put a bunch of jumpers for the kids in there. We’ll have two stages outside. One of the big bands that’s playing is The Noms on Friday, they’re a big local band. The Gershom Brothers will be there. Just bar bands, good local bar bands.”

There will also be a special battle of the bands on Saturday, with six bands competing for the $500 first-place prize.

In addition to the jumpers for the children, there will also be a special new feature.

“This group called Amazing Jumps, they’re bringing all their kids jumpers, but they’re also bringing this thing called the Toxic Falls Water Slide this year,” Alex said. “It’s supposed to be the biggest outdoor water slide in New Mexico. It’s like 65 feet long. If the kids want to bring a change of clothes and a towel, they can ride that all day for like $20.”

The 16th year of this event will of course feature plenty of local food vendors.

“There’s going to be over 20 barbecue and food vendors,” Alex said. “If barbecue is not your thing, there’s going to be tacos and funnel cakes and (other) fair food. The only thing there isn’t going to be is salad.”

All told, Alex said they expect between 8,000 to 10,000 people to walk through the gates this year, so be mindful when planning your trip.

The Crew will probably pop in for a bit on Sunday between the various soccer tournament finals, so please try to leave us some food and beer.

Cheers!

— Stoutmeister