The news came via social media, as it typically does these days, late Monday afternoon that there was a shake-up coming to the craft beer scene in the Northeast Heights.

ReSource Brewing owners Shawn and Stephanie Wright were selling their business to Brew Lab 101, which finally found its taproom east of the Rio Grande.

ReSource shared this Facebook posting to explain the decision on the part of the Wrights:

Dear Friends, after careful consideration, we have made the difficult decision to step away from ReSource as owners and managers and transition the taproom over to Brew Lab 101, whom you may know from their flagship location in Rio Rancho.
Our personal and other business obligations have grown tremendously over this past year, and unfortunately we just don’t have the time to focus on growing the brewery the way this neighborhood needs and deserves.
Through October, we will still be around serving up the ReSource beer that you love and selling through our merch inventory. As we transition out of the taproom, we’ll be introducing you to the Brew Lab team prior to their taking the baton in November.
We are excited to be leaving 3107 Eubank Blvd NE in the capable hands of Brew Lab 101. Their leadership team understand the community-centric values that have made ReSource what it is, and they have the energy and resources to take it to the next level.
We are dedicated to a smooth and positive transition. Stay tuned for events and activities over the coming weeks as we celebrate the community that gave us this wonderful opportunity. We hope to share a beer with y’all in person soon!
With deep gratitude,
Shawn & Stephanie

While that basically covers the ReSource angle of this story, we reached out to Brew Lab 101 co-owner/brewmaster Scott Salvas via email (our schedules simply do not match up this week for a face-to-face) with a series of questions to learn more about this forthcoming transition.

NMDSBC: When did you and Shawn/Stephanie start discussing this possibility? Did they approach you first, or did you approach them?

Salvas: We had been looking at a spot down the street from them pretty seriously when I saw Shawn at the Heights Summerfest. We were both serving next to each other at the event when he asked me when we were going to finally come over to the Eastside. I mentioned the spot I was looking at and he floated the idea of us taking over his place. At first I wasn’t sure if he was serious because they have a great operation going over there, but we had some follow-up discussions and were able to work out a deal. 

NMDSBC: We know that Brew Lab has been looking to get across the river the last couple of years. What is it about this location that appeals to you?

Salvas: As you know, we’ve been looking for an Eastside location for sometime. We checked out many locations and some weren’t right for us, and some weren’t right for the property owners. It was very difficult to find a space that checked all the boxes. I honestly thought siting a second location would be easier than the first, but I think it was more challenging! So when Shawn approached me, it was just natural to pursue that deal. I’ve known Shawn and Stephanie for some time, I like them a lot and have a lot of respect for them. We are similar in that we are both technically trained, and were home brewers who were crazy enough to open our own breweries!  They have cultivated a great space and clientele. The location is 12 miles (as the crow flies) from our main location in Rio Rancho, so it gets us in front of different folks in one of the most densely populated parts of the Metro. Plus, we were about to buy a larger brewhouse and more fermenters so we could upscale our beer and cider production. So this acquisition is a two-fer for us, a new taproom and more brewing equipment.  

NMDSBC: What weekly events will carry over from Brew Lab, and which ones may remain from ReSource’s calendar?

Salvas: We are still working this out. ReSource has some staple events like Thursday Trivia and Sunday live music that we would like to continue since they are popular and customers love them. We may bring in more live music and Singo Music Bingo at some point. We will need to see what folks want, and what nights are slower that may need an event to pick them up. 

NMDSBC: Will you revamp/redecorate the interior of ReSource?

Salvas: The bones of the space are great, so most of what we will do is cosmetic. We will do some painting and add our signature science chalkboard wall mural. We will also change out some lighting and furniture and add some TVs. Overall we intend to retain the great intimate vibe the space has, but Brew Lab it up a bit. 

NMDSBC: What happens to the ReSource brewing equipment? Keep it or sell it and expand the seating area?

Salvas: The equipment will be moved to Rio Rancho. We will use their 5 BBL brewhouse and sell our current 3.5 BBL brewhouse. If anyone out there is in the market for a 3.5 BBL brewhouse, let me know! We will replace some of our fermenters with their 10 BBL fermenters and rededicate the smaller ones to making more cider. The fermenter area will become a stage and lounge/seating area. 

NMDSBC: What has been the general reaction from Brew Lab fans in the NE Heights?

Salvas: Everyone seems to be very excited about us finally making it over there! Several people have expressed that they are happy they won’t have to drive all the way to Rio Rancho to enjoy our product. At the same time, we are sensitive that some folks will initially see this as a loss because their beloved ReSource is going away. We intend to work hard to make them feel comfortable during the transition, and believe they will come to love our lineup of beers and ciders. For example, all of ReSource’s staff will be offered employment with Brew Lab and to stay on and keep serving customers that have grown to love that location. We also hope to have some of the staff work at both locations. At this point, we plan to open as Brew Lab 101 in November, and ReSource will continue to operate as normal for the next few months with some Brew Lab beers and ciders going on their taps. Stay tuned for more details! 

A big thanks to Scott for the prompt and detailed responses to the questions we sent over around midnight (Monday was a long day, folks).

We in the Crew had known for a while that ReSource was probably not going to make it through the year. The Wrights did not renew their membership in the NM Brewers Guild this year, for instance, and there were other signs here and there. But, much like it was when Bosque took over the Toltec space on the Westside, this is the best possible outcome. The taproom space will be used by another brewery, and it will be beneficial for Brew Lab. That brewery gets a second space it long sought, and it gets the equipment it needs to increase production.

All of us have enjoyed our past visits to ReSource, and the hospitality that Shawn, Stephanie, and their staff has provided. We wish them luck in all of their future endeavors.

We will be there to cover the final transition, and will provide additional updates on this changeover, as needed.

Keep supporting local!

— Stoutmeister