This era of stay-at-home has forced just about everyone and anyone to get creative when bringing people together. That includes state brewers guilds and other beer festival organizers, who cannot hold those festivals in the usual manner. A few state guilds have been experimenting with doing things online, and the New Mexico Brewers Guild will join them with the Net Sesh Fest this Saturday from 4 to 6 p.m.

“It’s words that are shortened — Internet Session Festival,” said NMBG executive director Leah Black. “We’re doing an online, virtual beerfest. … What we want to do is bring everyone together. We’ve been cooped up from one another, longer than ever before. It’s a new experience, and it’s making everyone a little crazy. At least there’s still New Mexico craft beer.”

Online tickets range from $6 to $10 to $20 to $25.

“It’s only (as low as) $6 if you want to join us,” Leah said. “If you’d like, the other levels it doesn’t enhance your experience, except knowing you’re donating money to the Brewers Guild and help our plight getting some stuff moving forward for the next legislative session.”

Right now, no one is sure when that session might be (there are even rumors of two sessions), but like most other small businesses, our breweries need plenty of financial help right now.

As for what the Net Sesh Fest will entail, Leah offered up some idea as she and various brewery representatives have come up with so far.

“We’re going to reach out to members over all the state,” she said. “I tried north, south, all over. We’re going to have appearances by Jayson Wylie at Taos Mesa, Garrett Denmark at Icebox, Chris Calhoun at Red River, Antonio Fernandez from Ponderosa, Ali Cattin from Red Door, Dave Kimbell from Sidetrack, (and) Kevin Hopper from New Mexico Brew Fest is going to make an announcement.”

A lot of others will make appearances throughout the show, with quite a few surprises sprinkled into the mix, Leah said.

“We’re going to have people do everything from cooking demonstrations to talking about their history, their amazing brewing systems that make them unique,” she said. “We’re going to talk about different styles of beer. We’re going to talk about events and music, with a lot of breweries having gone virtual. How to make money and tip in, be entertained in this online world.

“We’ve got somebody showing us how to make bomb beer bread. It’s going to be really fun. It’s an experiment. We want people to have fun. It’s BYOB. Before you gotta stock up on New Mexico craft beer.”

To sum it up, donate whatever amount you wish, open a local beer or two from your own fridge, and sit back and enjoy the fun. More details about how to sign on will come in the email confirming your donation.

We encourage everyone to sign up and have a little fun with some different Saturday afternoon.

Keep supporting local!

— Stoutmeister