The Fourth of July falls on a Thursday this year, potentially giving lots of folks an extended weekend to enjoy things blowing up in the sky and cold beers in their hands. We are working on compiling the holiday-standard list of brewery opening hours, closings, and any other schedule alterations, but so far those have been slow in appearing on social media. There will still be some breweries open, with at least two having live music on Thursday (see below), and others firing up the fun today (Wednesday), Friday, and Saturday. Above all else, though, stay safe out there. Holiday weekends tend to get a little dangerous on the roads late at night, so please use ride shares and designated drivers, or just grab some local craft beer to take home and stay safe there.

New Draft:

Bombs Away recently added Tropi Kolsch, Cluster Bomb Hefe, and S.A.F. POG Juice to their lineup. Bosque brought back Open Space Haze on draft only. Gravity Bound tapped Serious Rizz Rice Lager. Sidetrack recently tapped Mighty Monarch IPA. Tractor will release Tropical Kolsch on Friday. (UPDATES) Brew Lab 101 announced their anniversary beer, Hopstronaught, an imperial hazy IPA. Flock of Moons added MÖÖN, their new kolsch. Gravity Bound tapped Memory Lane, an orange creamsicle sour. JUNO took their Juicebox Hazy IPA and created the Terpenator limited edition, with lemon or pineapple terpenes. Late Shift tapped Wee Lad, an Irish red that checks in at just 3.9-percent ABV. Sidetrack added Hopmonic Convergence IPA.

(UPDATE) Nuckolls tapped Pineapple Expressed, a hazy IPA made with pineapple and tangerine.

New Package:

Ex Novo released Austin Flowers, a tropical hazy IPA, in cans and on draft, and let us just say that we are amazed no other brewery thought of that name before now. Sidetrack put Pub Ale in cans for the first time, followed by Duke of Earl, with the latter in cans only as the draft supply was wiped out rather quickly. Second Street released Tipsy Parrot, a piña-colada-inspired cream ale, in cans, with draft coming next week. (UPDATE) Canteen brought back Citranova, a tangerine oatmeal lager, in cans and on draft.

Notable Events:

Today (Wednesday) — Canteen will host the Freedom Tie Dye Party at 5 p.m., with participants getting to make their own shirts. Then everyone can join in the Liberty Lager Jogger, a 1K fun run from Canteen to La Cumbre (or you can start at LC) at 7 p.m. For $35 you get a lager at both spots, a tie-dye shirt, and a chance to get a little fit before you eat all the grilled meats Thursday.

For something a little more chill, head to Tractor Wells Park for the monthly edition of Poetry & Beer at 7 p.m.

Thursday — There will be live music at Stray Dawgs at Rumor from 4 to 7 p.m., and blues musician Marion at Bow & Arrow from 5 to 7 p.m.

Friday — Artwalk is back downtown from 5 to 9 p.m., so check the social media pages for Boese Brothers, Red Door, and Sidetrack to see what they have planned this month.

The First Fridays Comedy Contest returns to Tractor Wells Park at 7 p.m.

The Desert Darlings are trying something a little new with the Cactus Cabaret at Kaktus at 7 p.m. The Darlings always put on a great show, so we are intrigued to see what they have come up with this time.

Saturday — Canteen brings back For the Love of Lagers from 1 to 4 p.m. Tickets are available online. We hope to have a little more info for everyone on this fun event before the weekend, but let’s just say there will be a whole lot of lagers on tap from 18 local breweries.

High and Dry hosts another Punk Rock Matinee with Roadside Memorial and Rival Cannons at 2 p.m

Brew Lab 101 will be celebrating their fifth anniversary from 2 to 10 p.m. There will be a summer market from 2 to 6, live music from 2 to 10, food trucks, a new TBA beer release, and more fun out in Rio Rancho.

Quick News Bits:

Tickets for the 2024 New Mexico IPA Challenge are now on sale from the NM Brewers Guild via Eventbrite. The elimination round, where the brewers themselves narrow down the field from 39 entries to the 16 finalists, is this Saturday (but it’s not open to the public). The public rounds are July 13 at Nuckolls Brewing in Santa Fe, July 20 at Lauter Haus Brewing in Farmington, and July 27 at Bow & Arrow Brewing.

Turquoise Trail Brewing, which closed down in Albuquerque a while ago, has now reopened in Moriarty. We will be heading out there once their own beers are on tap (just guest taps to start) to check out the new space.

Another new brewery? Another new brewery, as The Tatted Bee Brewhouse has taken over the former Black Snout location at Juan Tabo and Menaul.

In case anyone missed the early preview, Dripline Brewery is moving closer toward opening later this year in the Wells Park neighborhood.

In case anyone missed the other big news, Vision City is headed west to take over the former Boxing Bear Corrales space.

Albuquerque metro area breweries

Boese Brothers Brewery  — Featured seasonal: Drunk Astronaut (7.5% ABV), described as a “super juicy DIPA brewed with Galaxy hops and Cosmic Punch yeast.”

Bombs Away Beer Company — Featured seasonal: Black Ops Lager (5.8% ABV, 30 IBU), a dark lager inspired by the German schwarzbier style.

Bosque Brewing Company — Featured seasonal: Crimson & Clover (6.1% ABV, 10 IBU), a blonde ale with cherry and honey, now available on tap and in cans.

Bossfight Brewing (formerly Kilt Check Brewing) — Featured seasonal: Way of the Samurai, a Japanese rice lager that will become a staple at the brewery.

Bow & Arrow Brewing — Featured seasonal: Flying Saazers (5.1% ABV), another amazing beer name from B&A, this one is a Belgian-style pilsner now available in cans (the artwork is gold) and on draft.

Boxing Bear Brewing Company — Featured seasonal: Chinhook Mountain IPA (6.8% ABV), a hop-forward ale that combines elements of a West Coast and an East Coast hazy, is back in cans and on draft.

Brew Lab 101 Beer & Cider Company — Featured seasonal: Buzz Lightbeer (3.9% ABV, 10 IBU), a summer-worthy brew.

Canteen Brewhouse — Featured seasonal: Low and Slow Kolsch (5.2% ABV, 25 IBU), a perfect summer patio beer available in cans and on draft, and as a bonus it helps the Turtle Survival Alliance.

Casa Vieja Brewery — Featured seasonal: Cry of the Blackbirds Imperial Stout (8.6% ABV, 55 IBU), a very metal behemoth of a beer.

Cazuela’s Seafood & Mexican Grill — Featured seasonal: Contact the brewery for an updated list of seasonals.

Differential Brewing — Featured seasonal: Matcha Ginger Blonde (5% ABV, 14 IBU), it’s pretty much exactly as the name describes.

Echoes Brewery — Featured seasonal: Contact the brewery to see what’s currently on tap.

Ex Novo Brewing — Featured seasonal: Super Saaz Me (4.9% ABV), a tasty dry-hopped pilsner brewed in collaboration with Gravity Bound, now available in cans and on draft.

Flix Brewhouse  — Featured seasonal: Contact the brewery to see what’s currently on tap.

Flock of Moons Brewing — Featured seasonal: Bonfires of Ganymede (7.1% ABV, 29 IBU), a smoked maibock with just the right amount of charring, balanced out by the sweet malts and hops.

Gravity Bound Brewing — Featured seasonal: Little Farm on the Berry (4.7% ABV), a collaboration with Farm and Table, this sour features blackberries, lemon, and crushed sumac.

Harmon Lane Brewing at Southwest Grape and Grain — Featured seasonal: Honey Do IPA, the perfect beer after getting that yard work done.

High and Dry Brewing — Featured seasonal: Contact the brewery for an updated list of seasonals.

Hops Brewery — Featured seasonal: Contact the brewery for an updated list of seasonals.

JUNO Brewery — Featured seasonal: Contact the brewery for an updated list of seasonals.

Kaktus Brewing — Featured seasonal: Sweet Darkness Milk Stout, a nice treat for dessert after your pizza.

La Cumbre Brewing — Featured seasonal: Hop Drift Cold IPA (6.7% ABV), now available in cans and on draft.

La Reforma Brewery — Featured seasonal: Bomba de Malta (8.3% ABV), another big old malt bomb of a Scotch ale.

Late Shift Lager House at The Craftroom — Featured seasonal: Contact the brewery for an updated list of seasonals.

Lava Rock Brewing — The brewery is relocating to Moriarty.

Lizard Tail Brewing — Featured seasonal: Contact the brewery for an updated list of seasonals.

Marble Brewery — Featured seasonal: Que Onda IPA (6.8% ABV), part of the Alpha Acid Trip Series, now available in cans and on draft.

Nexus Brewery — Featured seasonal: Beam Me Up (Higher) Scotty (9.5% ABV, 29 IBU), which just won its second silver medal in three years at the World Beer Cup, is back on tap for a limited time.

Painted Lady Bed and Brew — Featured seasonal: Wolfman’s Got Nards, an amber ale and a tribute to the 80s classic The Monster Squad.

Palmer Brewery and Cider House — Featured seasonal: Cockness Monster (14% ABV), a monstrous Scotch ale aged in whiskey barrels for two years.

Ponderosa Brewing Co. — Featured seasonal: Italian Pilsner, the winner of back-to-back gold medals at the 2021 Great American Beer Festival and the 2022 World Beer Cup, is available on draft and in cans.

Quarter Celtic Brewpub— Featured seasonal: Super Stoop Malt Liquor (6.5% ABV, 18 IBU), which does not have to be consumed on a stoop or in a paper bag.

Red Door Brewing — Featured seasonal: Wagoner’s Porter (7.2% ABV, 36 IBU), a tasty American-style porter that recently joined the draft lineup.

Rio Bravo Brewing — Featured seasonal: Rising Hope Collaboration (5% ABV, 40 IBU), an orange blossom pale ale with 100 percent of the proceeds going to the National Pediatric Cancer Foundation.

Rumor Brewing — Featured seasonal: Desert Monk (6.8% ABV, 21 IBU), a Belgian-style dubbel.

Sidetrack Brewing — Featured seasonal: Tropischen Pilsner (5.3% ABV, 35 IBU), a tropical lager brewed for the recent Crab & Pilsner event at Second Street.

Sobremesa — Featured seasonal: Face the Day Breakfast Stout (7.65% ABV, 40 IBU), a coffee-infused stout to wake you up after the long drive to the Westside (we kid, we kid).

Starr Brothers Brewing — Featured seasonal: St. Robby’s Girl (5.3% ABV, 26 IBU), a Dortmunder-style lager brewed in collaboration with Palmer Brewery.

Steel Bender Brewyard — Featured seasonal: Comfortably Plum Saison (5.6% ABV, 28 IBU), the description is pretty self-explanatory, and our apologies if the song is now stuck in your head, but SBB asked us to highlight this one.

Sunday Service Motor Company — Featured seasonal: Contact the brewery for an updated list of seasonals.

The Tatted Bee Brewhouse — The newest brewery in town does not have its own beers ready yet, but you can still enjoy a guest tap while you check out the space at Menaul and Juan Tabo.

Thirsty Eye Brewing — Featured seasonal: RIGor Mortis, an imperial coffee stout collaboration with Rust is Gold Coffee.

The 377 Brewery — Featured seasonal: Contact the brewery for an updated list of seasonals.

Tractor Brewing Company — Featured seasonal: Pistachio Cream Ale (6.0% ABV, 20 IBU), a near-perfect melding of New Mexico’s popular nut and a classic cream ale.

Turtle Mountain Brewing Company — Featured seasonal: El Cob-ron Rojo (5.7% ABV, 21 IBU), a red corn lager made with Neomexicanus hops.

Unhinged Brewing — Featured seasonal: Madcap Mosaic Hazy IPA, a brew of which the entire staff is quite proud of, as relayed to us by many people, who also sang its praises as an above-average hazy.

Vision City Brewstillery — Featured seasonal: Contact the brewery for an updated seasonal list.

Santa Fe breweries

Beer Creek Brewing — Featured seasonal: Temporada (6.1% ABV), a Belgian saison brewed with 100-percent New Mexico-grown pilsner malt and Neomexicanus hops. Described by the brewery as “crisp and dry with hints of bubblegum. Not a Brett beer.”

Chile Line Brewing — Featured seasonal: Contact the brewery for an updated seasonal list.

Nuckolls Brewing — Featured seasonal: Spice Car, a farmhouse saison brewed with Thai chili peppers, guava, mango puree, and lime juice.

Rowley Farmhouse Ales — Featured seasonal: Thibadeux (5% ABV, 50 IBU), a collaboration kvass with Beer Creek.

Santa Fe Brewing Company — Featured seasonal: Starter Fluid (9.5% ABV), a hazy DIPA with a kick, now available in cans and on draft.

Second Street Brewery — Featured seasonal: Brown Ale (5.9% ABV, 38 IBU), an award-winning classic, now available in cans and on draft.

Travel Bug — Featured seasonal: This bookstore/cafe that we featured a while back only has two beers on tap, Rough Draft Ale (4.5% ABV) and Second Draft English Bitter (6% ABV), but if any seasonals ever pop up, we will list them here.

Tumbleroot Brewery and Distillery — Featured seasonal: Molé Stout (9.2% ABV), the seasonal beer with a lovely kick of spice is back on draft and in bottles. Oh, they put some on nitro now, too.

Other breweries you need to visit

Bathtub Row Brewing — Featured seasonal: Mild & Lazy (4% ABV), a lovely English mild ale, perfect for slow sipping on the patio.

Downshift Brewing — Featured seasonal: Gratitude Pale Ale (5.4% ABV, 40 IBU), brewed to support local charities, right now $1 from every pint sold goes to The Big Ben Sanchez Youth Foundation.

Little Toad Creek Brewing and Distilling — Featured seasonal: Contact the brewery for an updated list of seasonals.

Red River Brewing and Distilling — Featured seasonal: Cacao Fuego Chocolate Green Chile Stout. (6.5% ABV, 30 IBU), described by the brewery thusly, “Our oatmeal stout with a kick! Made with Hatch green chile and organic cacao nibs, it has an earthy start and a chocolate finish, It’s sure to warm you up on these cool evenings.”

Sierra Blanca Brewing  — Featured seasonal: Pecan Brown Ale, a classic offering from the brewery.

Truth or Consequences Brewing — Featured seasonal: Robledo Rye (5.9% ABV, 46 IBU), described by the brewery as “a crisp golden ale with substantial hop bitterness and flavor. Malted rye adds a spicy, earthy quality, moderated by the subtle honey sweetness of Vienna malt. Warrior hops contribute smooth bitterness and flavors of pine, grapefruit, and pineapple.”

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That’s all for this week! If you have any questions or comments, leave them below or contact us on our Facebook page.

Keep supporting local!

— Stoutmeister