Notes from the North: Blü Dragonfly and Red River enter expansion mode

If you’re looking to skip the lines at the brewpub to enjoy a cocktail, you have a new option. (Photo courtesy of Red River Brewing Company and Distillery)

Over the past week, the Crew received a couple of emailed updates on two of the breweries in Northern New Mexico. These both followed up on our most recent articles on Blü Dragonfly Brewing outside Raton and on Red River Brewing.

First up, Blü Dragonfly owner Colin Tawney wrote that while his brewery is still technically for sale, there has not been any movement on that front.

“Well, a lot has transpired in six months,” Tawney wrote. “We’ve entertained several interested buyers and an offer may be forthcoming at some point but nothing yet.”

Instead, the brewery is growing again, thanks to some key additions to the staff.

“A few weeks after your article ran, some key personnel popped into the picture,” Tawney wrote. “We’ve re-opened the Cimarron tap room with Chef Jave Cronauer throwing down some amazing BBQ and doing a Sunday brunch as well. One of our amazing locals, Berta Nolan, is heading up the bar part of things. Cimarron has been open again for two weeks.”

The days and hours of operation at Cimarron at Thursday and Friday, 4 to 9 p.m., Saturday, 3 to 9 p.m., and Sunday, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. The taproom is located in the heart of the small town at 301 E. 9th St.

Locals and tourists alike were happy to see the Cimarron taproom reopen. (Photo courtesy of Blü Dragonfly Brewing)

As for the new news, Blü Dragonfly has now opened a third location.

“We also re-ignited a long-lost plan for a tap room in Red River with our friends that own Madam’s Restaurant and Dinner Theater, across from Sitzmark Sports in the Alpine Lodge in Red River,” Tawney wrote.

The license was approved last week and the taproom opened over this past weekend. The street address is 417 W. Main St., and the hours are 4 to 9 p.m., Thursday through Sunday.

“We have Chef Bila Conchas doing an amazing upscale surf and turf menu, with fresh sushi as well,” Tawney wrote. “Alex Stiles, our master of mixology, is running the bar operation in Red River. We will also be expanding package options aside from our canned beer to include New Mexico-made spirits and wine. There’s also a possibility we may grow that concept to include packaged product from other New Mexico breweries into a ‘New Mexico True’ craft package store. We’ve made a lot of friends in the industry and I’d love to help showcase their product in our new setting.”

Before anyone thinks that this means Tawney is changing his original plan of retiring, that is not quite the case.

“That still doesn’t change that I can’t do this forever, but we brought in some key people that have really re-ignited what drew me to this business in the first place,” he wrote. “I’m probably more pumped about the business than when we first opened in 2018. I didn’t realize how much I missed the interaction with patrons in a taproom environment. The energy just seems to be entirely different and positive than it has been in the past.”

Tawney invited the Crew to come north to try some of their current seasonals, such as the Hatch Chile Amber, Biscochito Stout, Dunkel, and Dream Sickle IPA. We might just have to take him up on that one of these weekends during the slow part of the year.

Red River opens second location in town

Of course there was a ceremonial ribbon cutting. (Photo courtesy of Red River Brewing Company and Distillery)

As noted in previous story about RRBC, they were planning on opening a tasting room to go with their new distillery location, and those plans have come to fruition. The brewery/distillery sent us a press release to make it official.

Owner and operations manager Sharon Calhoun was quoted in the press release: “We’ve created a cozy and inviting space where customers can sample our award-winning line-up of craft spirits made right here in Red River, including Vodka, Gin, Whiskey, Rum, Bourbon, Rye Whiskey and Sotol. Customers can sample any of the spirits made at the Distillery, located in the same building, and purchase bottles of their favorites to take home or as gifts for their friends and family.

“We are proud to open our tasting room and invite everyone to come and taste our products. We hope to provide a memorable and enjoyable experience for our customers and become a destination for locals and tourists alike.”

The tasting room is located at 619 E. Main St. in Red River, and is open daily from 1 to 8 p.m.

Master distiller Gavin Whealy was also quoted in the press release: “We’re one of the highest elevation distilleries in the world. The low atmospheric pressure up here means we distill at relatively low temperatures, which makes for very smooth and mellow flavor profiles. Plus, as everyone knows, the Red River water we use is really, really good.”

The press release went on to note that “(t)he distillery has won many awards and accolades for its products, including double-gold and gold medals at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition, American Distilling Institute Craft Spirits Awards, Ascot Awards, San Diego International Wine and Spirits Challenge, Los Angeles International Spirits Competition, SIP International Consumer Siping Awards, The Fifty Best, and many others.”

A double shot (no pun intended) of growth among the northern breweries of New Mexico? We will take that good news to start this week off right.

Keep supporting local!

— Stoutmeister