Summer took its time getting going this year, but now that the heat has arrived, it feels like the right time to head to the mountains to cool off. The timing is perfect, because Pajarito Mountain in Los Alamos is hosting its annual SummerFest this Saturday, with the beer festival from 1 to 6 p.m. This year marks the 20th anniversary of the event.

As always, SummerFest promises a fun day of food, music, dancing, hiking, disc golf, mountain biking, and yes, beer. The cafe at the lodge will be serving food starting at noon, and the music on the deck will run from noon to 5:30 p.m. Performers will be country/bluegrass singer Jaeden Huenemann and local band Sunbender. (Dancing is not required, but it may be inevitable.)

Being a mountain full of scenic trails, you may want to get there early to work up an appetite, whether it’s hiking, running, or riding. The lifts will be running from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., if you’d like an assist on the upwards part. There will also be a disc golf tournament and Strava downhill bike race.

The $25 beer festival entry fee (don’t forget to bring your ID!) will get you unlimited tastings, a full pint of your favorite, and a nice souvenir glass. The beer portion of the event will run from 1 to 6, as noted before. Participating breweries, with beer lists made available, include:

• Bathtub Row Brewing (from Los Alamos): Jemez Hazy IPA, Ranch School Rustic, New Mexi Lager
• Beer Creek Brewing (from Santa Fe): Nuevo IPA, Tenderheart Pils, Snail Trail Coffee Cream Ale, Temporada (Saison), Picture Rock Porter (cans only)
• Boxing Bear Brewing (from Albuquerque): Uppercut IPA, New Mexi-Kolsch, Headlock Hazy IPA, Chocolate Milk Stout, Black & Blue Tart, Apple Bear Cider, Red Knuckle Irish Red, Midday Marauder Lager
• Nuckolls Brewing (from Santa Fe): Silly Kaboose Raspberry Gose, Spice Car Saison, Locomotive IPA, Brown Ale
• Red River Brewery and Distillery (from Red River): TBA
• Rowley Farmhouse Ales (from Santa Fe): Who Gose There
• Second Street Brewery (from Santa Fe): Rod’s Best Bitter, 2920 IPA, Kolsch, Southpaw Sour (Apricot), barrel of Riwaka Juicy NZ Pale Ale, barrel of Seltzer
• Tumbleroot Brewery and Distillery (from Santa Fe): Sunset IPA, Root Down Brown, Texas Bock, Zest Intentions

We will continue update this list with specific brews if we hear back from the remaining breweries with a TBA by their names. Given all the great breweries from Northern New Mexico that will be in attendance, Albuquerque readers will be able to check off a lot of places that you may not be able to easily visit!

The drive up the mountain, though scenic, can be avoided by taking advantage of the free bus service from the Los Alamos High School auditorium parking lot. It will run every 30 minutes from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Let them be your designated driver.

The weather is likely to be splendid, but I always tell people that the mountains are fickle, so be prepared for anything from hot ‘n’ dry to cold ‘n’ snowy.

We hope to see you there!

Cheers!

— Reid