The days of collaboration beers just being between two (or more) breweries have been over for a while now. As if to hammer that point home, one of the biggest breweries in the state is teaming up with one of the most unique art collectives on the planet this week.

Marble Brewery and Meow Wolf have worked together to create Day Ghost, a Japanese-style rice lager (4.8% ABV) that will be available in 19.2-ounce cans and on draft at all three taprooms and the Santa Fe-based art installation starting this Thursday.

The release party at 111 Marble Avenue will also coincide with the full re-opening of all businesses throughout the state of New Mexico, which was certainly welcome news for Marble president Barbie Gonzalez, who responded to a series of questions over email this week. She provided some insight into how this collaboration came to be between the brewery and Meow Wolf.

“Meow Wolf reached out to Marble about two years ago,” Gonzalez wrote. “The idea was to create an approachable beer enjoyed by anyone and anywhere for sale exclusively at Marble and Meow Wolf locations. We did preliminary tastings and decided on a light, crisp, low ABV lager.  Because of the success of the Gohan Lager, we agreed to further explore Japanese-style rice lagers. After a few more test brews, great times sampling and recipe refinement, Day Ghost came to be.”

While the Marble brewing team handled the liquid inside, Meow Wolf came up with the name and the colorful can design.

“Marble was very excited to work with Meow Wolf,” Gonzalez wrote. “It’s important to showcase the talent that exists within our state. Marble and Meow Wolf are experience-based organizations that enjoy taking people on fantastic voyages. We do it through exciting beer flavors and our taprooms, while Meow Wolf (does so) through their amazing installations.”

The party on Thursday at Marble runs from 6 to 9 p.m. It will include two bands — The Day Trippers from 6 to 7:20, and Sun Sounds from 7:30 to 9 — as well as a strong Meow Wolf presence on the patio.

“Meow Wolf characters will be onsite for photos and entertainment,” Gonzalez wrote. “We have two bands scheduled, as well as Marble and Meow Wolf giveaways. Let’s not forget that all (pandemic) restrictions will be lifted, and Day Ghost will be available on draft and in 19.2-ounce cans.”

A crushable lager to celebrate the full reopening of the state? Count us in for this one.

A big thanks to Barbie for taking a minute out of her (very) busy schedule to respond, and as always to Geraldine Lucero for first giving us the heads up that all of this was in the works.

Keep supporting local!

— Stoutmeister