In the heat of summer, sometimes nothing is better than enjoying a nice, crisp lager in the shade of a brewery patio. The problem, though, is figuring out which brewery and which lager, as there are oh-so-many across the metro area.

Well, problem solved, to some degree, as the new For the Love of Lagers event will bring together 16 breweries from the metro (and beyond) on the shaded patio at Canteen Brewhouse this Saturday from noon to 4 p.m. Tickets are available online, and yes, you should probably buy them now instead of hoping there will be some left at the door (there might be, but no guarantees).

I caught up with Canteen general manager Jamie Schwebach and head brewer Zach Guilmette for a few minutes this week as they were wrapping up preparations for Saturday.

“We’re excited that we get to host For the Love of Lagers for the first time,” Schwebach said. “I’m looking forward to it becoming an annual event.”

It was about two years ago that Schwebach and Guilmette expressed interest in hosting a lagers-only festival. They were almost ready to go in 2022, but the one open weekend they found in the events calendar clashed with LagerHosen at Ex Novo. They let that event be the lager fest for the year, and instead pivoted to Day Drinking for a Cause, which has also now become an annual event for Canteen.

“We’re going to host it the first Saturday in July going forward,” Schwebach said. “This year we’re just doing it on our patio. We’re looking forward to increasing it with more lagers next year, more tickets, everything.”

“Maybe a ferris wheel next year?” Guilmette joked.

“Next your is (Canteen’s) 30th anniversary, so you never know,” Schwebach replied.

Guilmette has always expressed his love for lagers, and the tap selection at Canteen often reflects that, with anywhere from two to four (or more) typically available.

“We’re excited to share our taps with so many great lagers from around town,” he said. “The quality of (local) lagers has increased over the last five to 10 years. It really makes it exciting to see what other brewers’ takes are on certain styles. There’s only a small amount of experimental room within lager categories, most categories are fairly set. So it’s always interesting to see what different brewers have for a take on classic styles. Beyond that, there’s fun, experimental lagers with different yeast strains, adjuncts, grains, hops. It will be a great lineup.”

In addition to the beers being poured on the patio by the participating breweries, Canteen will have regulars like High Plains Pilsner and Laid Back Lager, plus Helles Awaits and maybe Sundance Kolsch (which, yes, is more of a lager/ale hybrid, but it’s close enough) available on tap for purchase. The German-style Pop’s Pils will be one of the 16 beers served outside, and speaking of which, if you have read this far into the article, here is the list you have been waiting for so patiently.

• Bosque Brewing: Salt Money (4.8% ABV, 13 IBU)
• Canteen Brewhouse: Pop’s Pils (5.3% ABV, 40 IBU)
• Ex Novo Brewery: She Sells Seashelles (5.5% ABV, 22 IBU)
• La Cumbre Brewing: Lager Softly (5.2% ABV, 36 IBU)
• Lauter Haus Brewing: Ghostface Keller (4.8% ABV, 30 IBU)
• Lava Rock Brewery: Pinche Cerveza (4.8% ABV, 19 IBU)
• Marble Brewery: Poquito Pils (3.8% ABV) 
• Nexus Brewery: Frio Cold IPA (6.3% ABV, 58 IBU)
• Palmer Brewery: LowCard Lager (5.3% ABV, 21 IBU)
• Quarter Celtic Brewpub: Dark Pedro (6% ABV, 34 IBU)
• ReSource Brewing: Bert Lips Schwarzbier (5.9% ABV, 34 IBU)
• Santa Fe Brewing: Pepe Loco (4.8% ABV)
• Second Street Brewery: Aqua Fria Pilsner (5.3% ABV, 34 IBU)
• Sidetrack Brewing: Crossroads Bohemian Pilsner (5.4% ABV, 18 IBU)
• Steel Bender Brewyard: COMPA Blue Corn Lager (5.7% ABV, 20 IBU)
• Tractor Brewing: New Mexican Lager (6% ABV, 28 IBU)

That is a tasty mix of different lagers, of seasonal and year-round lagers, and just a great representation of New Mexico. It is especially nice to see Lauter Haus coming down from Farmington, and winning the award for best beer name out of the bunch, many of which are also quite clever.

The event setup is pretty standard for anyone who has been to a tasting festival like this in the past.

“We’re going to pour about 16 breweries on the patio,” Schwebach said. “Guests will come in and grab their pint glass, sticker, and beer card. You can start sampling right away. They can get their hot dog and (full) pint. Trinity Soul will be playing some fun, day music. People can come drink lagers and still be good enough to catch the Isotopes or some of the great live music going on across town.”

You will be able to sample all 16 lagers in 2-ounce pours, plus you get one full pour for free, and can purchase additional pints. Attendees also get a free hot dog, and Canteen will have the full menu inside, just in case you need something else to soak up the lagers.

“This should be a perfect pregame event for everybody,” Schwebach said. “We’re excited about the variety of lagers we’ve got coming. We’ve got everything from schwarzbiers to Mexican lagers.”

We could not have asked for a better pregame event. A big thanks to Jamie and Zach, as always.

Keep supporting local!

— Stoutmeister