Let the weekend begin! Day Three of ABQ Beer Week features one big anniversary party, a unique food-and-beer-pairing, a special fundraiser, a celebration of ciders, a nighttime bike ride, and a bit of bingo. If you can work it all in around the Champions League final at 1 p.m., the Isotopes game at 6:35 p.m., and the NHL playoffs, you should get a medal or something.

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: Nexus 11th Anniversary Party. Where: Nexus Brewery. When: Noon-8 p.m. Cost: No cover charge.

Details: Feast time! Head on over to the main brewery for pints of Trampled by Tangerines Wheat and the recent World Beer Cup silver award-winning Beam Me Up (Higher) Scotty, paired up with a three-rib plate with two sides for $19, or any other combo of Nexus beer and food. Racine Kreyol will provide the music at noon, followed by DJ Brown at 4 p.m. There will also be special commemorative T-shirts and hats for sale.

Why you should go: It’s Nexus. You know the delicious food. You know the award-winning beers. You know what to do.

All the other great events

What: Tin Can Alley/Santa Fe Brewing Beer Week Fundraiser. Where: Tin Can Alley. When: All day. Cost: No cover charge. Details: Running through Monday, get $2 off all multi-packs of SFBC beers, while $2 of every NMX Standard and Cholla Fizz poured will be donated to All Together NM to support victims of the wildfires in Northern New Mexico. Alex Maryol Band will provide the music from 7 to 10 p.m. on Saturday. Why you should go: Enjoy a discount on the beers to take home, and/or enjoy a pint that goes to charity.

What: High and Dry Pairing with Doobie’s Smokehouse. Where: High and Dry Brewing. When: Noon-2 p.m. Cost: $45 (limit of 30 people). Details: There was no word on whether or not this is sold out in advance, but check before you go (call 433-5591). If you already did or can still get a ticket, enjoy a three-course meal paired with three beers — Texas Twinkies (jalapeño brisket poppers) with Green Chile Pale Ale, Green Chile Philly Steak with Seasonal IPA, Smoked S’mores Cakes with Oaked Stout. Why you should go: The dessert pairing alone is calling to us, and probably you, too.

What: Ciderday Night Fever. Where: Tractor Nob Hill. When: Noon (music at 8 p.m). Cost: No cover charge. Details: Order up some of your favorite Tractor ciders, including Watermelon and Cranberry and Ginger, plus ciders from Steel Bender and Palmer. You can also stick around into the evening for DJ Wae Fonkey. Why you should go: If ciders are your thing, this is your event.

What: E-Bike Glow Ride. Where: Canteen Brewhouse. When: 6:30-8:30 p.m. Cost: $39. Details: Just like it sounds, you get to rent a glowing e-bike from Free to Roam, and cruise the Brewery District (and beyond) for up to two hours. When you finish, you also get a pint of your choice. Why you should go: Normally, biking in the dark is a risky proposition, but you will be unmissable as you cruise about, with a tasty beverage waiting for you at the end.

What: Drag Queen Bingo. Where: Tractor Wells Park. When: 7-9 p.m. Cost: No cover charge. Details: It’s the Pride Edition of the fan-favorite event, hosted by Tsunami, with proceeds going to New Mexico Out Business Alliances. There will be special prizes for the winners. Why you should go: Close out your evening with a little competitive fun.

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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.

Keep supporting local!

— Stoutmeister