This Thursday, Hidden Mountain Brewing Company will host its first annual Cask Festival at a very familiar location on the south side of Santa Fe, and it’s going to be a firkin great time!

Technically speaking, this would be the fifth cask festival in the same space, but the fourth was cancelled in 2020, for some odd reason or other. Ahem. And, the first three were under the name you may remember as Blue Corn Brewery. Yes, it should all sound very familiar now.

In case you need a refresher, however, this particular event typically brings many of the Santa Fe area brewers and beer lovers together in once place to hang out, eat delicious food, sample special one-off variations of cask-conditioned beers, talk shop, and celebrate the time-honored tradition of the firkin.

“I think it’s going to be great,” said Hidden Mountain head brewer Andy Lane. “I want to bring back as many of these events as we can. I think they’re important to all the people who remember them from the Blue Corn days. Plus, beer and empanadas!”

The event begins at 6 p.m,, but I always advise going early to snap up the prime seating in the bar area, and as you probably already know, the earlier you get your pours, the colder the beers will be, if that’s a concern. That’s just the nature of the cask. As mentioned, the event will take place in the beautiful copper-covered bar area, with each of the breweries’ casks lined up on one side for more efficient pouring. Festivities will run until around 9 p.m., or until supplies run out.

For $20 (in advance), your ticket will get you a wristband, which includes pours of each brewery’s beer, a pint of your favorite cask creation, and an empanada of your choice.

For those not participating, Chef Joel’s excellent empanadas — beef, chicken, or vegetarian — will still be available by special menu, and you will be able to purchase them individually or sample all three at a special sampler price.

For those who are participating in the cask part of the festival, here’s the beer list as of right now:

At a glance:

Who: All seven (currently operating) Santa Fe Breweries

What: Hidden Mountain’s first annual cask festival

Where: Hidden Mountain Brewing Co. (Yep, where the old Blue Corn Brewery was located). 4056 Cerrillos Rd, Santa Fe, NM 87507

When: Thursday March 30, 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Why you should go: Because beer and empanadas on a Thursday! But, also, for the price of admission, you get to taste fun, experimental beers from each Santa Fe brewery (three from Santa Fe Brewing alone!), while also getting the chance to chat with the brewers on hand from each location. Pick their brains! Tell them you dig their beer! Ask them what they think of Cold IPAs. I’m kidding, but the opportunity is on the table.

And, just to sweeten the deal, you’ll get a special preview taste of Hidden Mountain’s barrel-aging project, a monstrous Maibock, which won’t see the light of day for another six to seven months.

How: Call (505) 438-1800 for reservations or email manager@hiddenmountainbrewing.com

Tickets will be available at the door for $25.

Personally, I’ve been to each of the previous cask fests and have never left disappointed. I’ve made many friends at these events, and always enjoyed the personal interaction with the brewers. I’ll be there, once again, this time in more of a working capacity, but I hope to see you there. To keeping the fun traditions alive!

Cheers!

— Luke