During a spot of downtime in Minneapolis on Thursday, I took note of a couple more announced events in the coming months. The more I thought about it, I figured it would be helpful if I would compile all of the announced events so far into a single post so all the beer lovers in New Mexico could begin to plan their weekends in autumn.

So here is a very simple list of what is to come, and why I think you should go. For any event not listed here that you might think is important, please email us at nmdarksidebrewcrew@gmail.com or leave us a comment or DM on social media.

August 26, Marblefest: Let’s face it, the true kickoff to fall is no longer when the kids go back to school (that’s way too early now), it’s when Marble holds its annual on-site festival of awesomeness. We will have a full preview next week, but expect a great lineup of breweries pouring their finest German-style lagers, food trucks, live music, games, and contests. There is one new contest, in particular, that will stand out as something very fun, or utterly ludicrous. Stay tuned.

September 9, Oktoberfest at Picacho Peak: Las Cruces gets to party at the spacious brewery on the westside. There will be beer, food, and live music from 3 p.m. onward.

September 16, Rio Rancho Oktoberfest and Ullr Fest at Pajarito Mountain: We knew at some point this fall that we would be torn between two events. Ullr Fest kicks off first with a beer garden from noon to 5 p.m., bringing together some great breweries at the ski area above Los Alamos. Dress in your favorite viking regalia and head on up. Or, if you would rather not leave the metro area, trek on over to the Country Club Plaza in Rio Rancho, home to Brew Lab 101, as they and Turtle Mountain and others will welcome you to an awesome outdoor festival. That one runs from 2 to 10 p.m.

October 6-8, Red River Oktoberfest: Three days of beer, wine, spirits, food, music, games, and more, all nestled in one of the best mountain towns of the state. We have usually missed this one as it often falls the weekend of the Great American Beer Festival. Well, that’s earlier this year, so now the rest of us can go join Luke, who is pretty much a fixture at this event.

October 14, New Mexico Brewfest: One of our favorite local fests returns to Villa Hispana at the Expo NM Fairgrounds. Expect plenty of breweries, bands on the big stage, and lots of food and other surprises. Kevin Hopper and his team always put together a fun afternoon.

October 21, Beer Premier: The Brewers Guild’s fall fest is back at Rio Bravo. Dress up in your favorite costume (it doesn’t have to be beer-themed, but that’s up to you) and head on over to try 16 never-before-brewed beers from an epic lineup of local breweries.

October 28, Stranger Things Arcade Carnival: The biggest event of the year for Tractor Wells Park will return with live music, drink specials, food trucks, a slew of vendors, games, artwork, and more.

Dates TBA, Sierra Blanca Oktoberfest: Usually held in late September, this is another fun celebration of German beer, food, and music in the spacious beer garden in Moriarty.

Keep supporting local!

— Stoutmeister