We led with the special stout releases last week and thought that we could switch it up this week. We were wrong. There’s so much stout goodness out there right now, it must take the lead. First up, La Cumbre’s 14th anniversary week continues with the re-release of 2023 La Negra in bottles and on draft today (Wednesday), followed by Thursday’s draft/bottle re-release of Siren Song BA Imperial Red. Friday will see the return of 2023 La Negra reserve in bottles and on draft, and then Saturday marks the big party with two special beer releases (see below) with live music, screen printing, and more. If that’s not enough, those Kill the Sun gift boxes you ordered will be available Friday at whichever Ex Novo location you chose to pick them up at. Or, if you did not order the whole gift box, you can go try the four variants and maybe take a bottle or four home. And don’t forget, there’s still plenty Vantablack Russian Imperial Stout on draft and in cans at Boxing Bear, lots of Irish Handcuffs Imperial Stout on tap at Quarter Celtic, and Steel Bender’s Brickie Jubilee will continue Saturday with a single sixtel of Chocolate Hazelnut Brickie Imperial Stout being tapped at opening. Happy peak stout season, people!

New Draft:

Bossfight recently tapped Dark Magic Baltic Porter. Canteen added Sundog Hazy Pale Ale. Flock of Moons will tap a new version of Lunar Winter Saison on Friday. Quarter Celtic added Marionberry Plum Session Mead. Rio Bravo recently tapped Dunk a’ Chito, a biscochito-inspired dunkel. Starr Brothers added Winter Bock.

New Package:

Bow & Arrow will release Frosty Mesa, a German-style pilsner, and Mild Mild West both in cans and on draft this Friday. Gravity Bound will bring back Quick Take Hazy IPA in cans and on draft this Friday. La Cumbre will release cans and draft of Project Dank: Mars Edition on Friday, followed by the Anniversary Cherry & NM Red Chile Stout in bottles and on draft this Saturday.

Notable Events:

Wednesday — Trivia for a Cause: Harry Potter will be held at Bosque Heights at 6 p.m.

Thirsty Eye will host a musical tribute to Willie Nelson featuring multiple local artists from 6 to 9 p.m.

Thursday — The Friends of Valle De Oro National Wildlife Refuge will hold a fundraiser with Canteen at 6 p.m.

Friday — Painted Lady Bed and Brew presents Yuletide Fear, hosted by Matt Rambles, who will present eerie tales of less-known Christmas traditions from around the globe. It runs from 7:30 to 8:30 p.m., and tickets are available online.

Goth Night & Dark Market returns to Tractor Wells Park at 8 p.m.

Saturday — Boxing Bear Firestone will host the Westside United SC Toy Drive from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Brew Lab 101 will host the Holly Jolly Market from noon to 5 p.m.

Flock of Moons will host A Winter Market from noon to 5 p.m., followed by a singer/songwriter night from 7 to 10, with “acoustic folk punk” music, which sounds kinda weird but cool.

The Reinbeer Fun Run at Canteen starts at noon. It’s sold out, but if you have friends/family participating, you can still show up and enjoy a pint while cheering them on, right?

High and Dry has another Punk Matinee featuring Roadside Memorial and Lost Summer from 3 to 5 p.m.

Wait, what? The final Hops & Dreams? Yeah, it’s true, the Desert Darlings are ending the show’s run at Tractor Wells Park from 7 to 9 p.m. with the Winter Wonderland Edition. But, do not panic, as the Darlings will be back in March with a new monthly show.

It’s Harry Potter Night all day at the Quarter Celtic Taproom.

The aforementioned 14th anniversary party is all day at the main La Cumbre location.

Sunday — The Quarter Celtic Holiday Party runs from 11:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. at the San Mateo location.

Quick News Bits:

Quarter Celtic’s Vienna Lager (returning soon) won another gold medal, this time at the European Beer Star competition. It previously won at the Great American Beer Festival in October. Congrats, again, to the QC brewing team!

Nexus Brewery is back open seven days a week, with hours from 11 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. every day.

Marble Brewery posted on social media that they have found a local buyer and will not be closing. Hopefully more information will be posted soon, as we have no idea who bought the entire operation. But, hey, at least the second-largest brewery in New Mexico is no longer shutting down, as the rumors claimed last month.

Just in case you missed it, we had big news recently both on how Gravity Bound and Boese Brothers will be sharing the brewing space at Sixth and Gold, while GB will now take over the taproom portion with a unique twist. We also learned how Icebox is in the process of taking over Public House 28 Brewery down between Las Cruces and Anthony. And, finally, we got the full details of the decision to permanently close the doors at Lizard Tail.

In much better news, Dripline Brewery is now open at Second Street and Summer Ave. They had a minor setback that meant their own beers aren’t ready yet, but we will add an entry for them below when those first brews are available.

Another new brewery? It appears so, but not in a place that has any others nearby. Prod-O Brewery and Distillery has an active small brewer license, and is located in the town of Reserve in Western New Mexico. Recent photos posted to Facebook show that it is open. Guess we’ve got a road trip coming up!

Steel Bender is teaming up with a local radio station, The Peak, for Monday Night Football games all season. There will be drink and food specials, and one of the hosts of the station will be there every game from 6 p.m. until halftime. Check their social media for more details.

Albuquerque metro area breweries

Boese Brothers Brewery  — Featured seasonal: Oktoberfest (5.3% ABV), the popular seasonal lager is back for another run.

Bombs Away Beer Company — Featured seasonal: T50 Vienna Lager (5.4% ABV, 25 IBU), a tasty amber lager that will help you get over the last of the delicious Oktoberfest running out.

Bosque Brewing Company — Featured seasonal: Brewer’s Bruises (5.6% ABV, 10 IBU), a blueberry lavender gose, is back for a limited time.

Bossfight Brewing (formerly Kilt Check Brewing) — Featured seasonal: Power Up Coffee Stout, a small batch of goodness to keep you going for another round of Mario Kart at the brewery arcade.

Bow & Arrow Brewing — Featured seasonal: Rez Pubby Schwarzbier (5.2% ABV), a lovely dark lager available in cans and on draft, benefiting Rez Roads Rescue.

Boxing Bear Brewing Company — Featured seasonal: Metal Head Stout (6.66% ABV), one of our seasonal favorites, back in cans and on draft.

Brekki Brekki — Featured seasonal: Vanilla Pumpkin Stout, the first specialty beer from the new all-day breakfast restaurant and brewery in the old B2B Garden Brewery space in the Heights.

Brew Lab 101 Beer & Cider Company — Featured seasonal: Labtoberfest is now available for all to enjoy.

Canteen Brewhouse — Featured seasonal: Grundy Thunder Porter (6.2% ABV, 25 IBU), a robust porter perfect for the season, available in cans and on draft.

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

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

Differential Brewing — Featured seasonal: Chai Stout (5% ABV, 24 IBU), a darker way to enjoy your favorite tea spice.

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

Ex Novo Brewing — Featured seasonal: Ruidoso Together Pale Ale (5.5% ABV), available in cans and on draft and benefiting the southern communities affected by the fires and flooding earlier this year.

Flix Brewhouse  — Featured seasonal: Vampyre Boost Imperial Lager, this year’s collaboration with Steel Bender.

Flock of Moons Brewing — Featured seasonal: Dark Side of the Moons (7.7% ABV, 88 IBU), a little black IPA collaboration that the Crew brewed, benefiting Ruidoso.

Gravity Bound Brewing — Featured seasonal: Subtitles On, the classic Munich dunkel is back for a limited time, just like every other beer tends to be at GB.

Harmon Lane Brewing at Southwest Grape and Grain — Featured seasonal: Wobble On Crimson Ale, a nifty little red inspired by the brewer, who used to play football for New Mexico State.

High and Dry Brewing — Featured seasonal: Date Night Disaster (5% ABV, 10 IBU), a simple, no-frills stout that’s perfect for this weather.

Hops Brewery — Featured seasonal: Hoptoberfest (4.7% ABV, 25 IBU), the classic lager is on tap for a limited time.

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: La Negra (14.1% ABV), the beautiful beast of a Russian imperial stout is back in bottles and on draft.

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

Late Shift Lager House at The Craftroom — Featured seasonal: We were told that they are currently not brewing, with no timetable for that resuming.

Marble Brewery — Featured seasonal: Turkish Style Coffee Stout (7.5% ABV) is once again available in cans and on draft.

Nexus Brewery — Featured seasonal: Beam Me Up (Higher) Scotty (9.3% ABV), the two-time World Beer Cup medal winner is back for the season.

Painted Lady Bed and Brew — Featured seasonal: You’ve Got Red on You, their most recent addition was this popular hoppy red ale.

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.

Rio Bravo Brewing — Featured seasonal: Very Demure (6.7% ABV, 19 IBU), an apricot wheat with a clever name.

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

Sidetrack Brewing — Featured seasonal: Stay Wild (5.3% ABV, 15 IBU), because sometimes you need a refreshing American lager as a break from (or warm-up to) all these big beers.

Sobremesa — Featured seasonal: Oktoberfest, a festbier-style lager that pairs great with their bone-in pork schnitzel that’s also available for a limited time.

Starr Brothers Brewing — Featured seasonal: Nuts and Nibs (6% ABV, 27 IBU), a special barrel-aged version of the peanut butter porter collab between SBB and Boxing Bear.

Steel Bender Brewyard — Featured seasonal: Italian Stallion (6.1% ABV, 65 IBU), a bigger, stronger, hoppier version of Esmerelda, now available on draft.

Sunday Service Motor Company — Featured seasonal: Cosmic Wave IPA (6.2% ABV, 67 IBU), a West Coast-style hop bomb with some fruity hops up front and a clean, bitter-free finish.

The Tatted Bee Brewhouse — Featured seasonal: Game On, an old-school pale ale that is one of the first house beers now on tap.

Thirsty Eye Brewing — Featured seasonal: Oktoberfest (6% ABV, 20 IBU), a sweet and satisfying märzen lager.

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

Tractor Brewing Company — Featured seasonal: Turkey Drool (8.2% ABV), the Crew’s favorite seasonal from this brewery is an amazing holiday concoction.

Turtle Mountain Brewing Company — Featured seasonal: Sierra Nativo (5.5% ABV, 37 IBU), as this is a wet-hop pale ale, its availability will be limited, so get it while it’s fresh.

Unhinged Brewing — Featured seasonal: Los Muertos Porter (12% ABV), a collaboration between the brewery and the Worthogs homebrew club, available on draft and there might be a little left of the special barrel-aged version.

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

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 list of seasonals.

Nuckolls Brewing — Featured seasonal: Hoppy Wife, Hoppy Life, a hazy pale ale and a possible contender for Beer Name of the Year.

Rowley Farmhouse Ales — Featured seasonal: Sin Barreras – Colkegan Barrel ’24 (13.5% ABV, 50 IBU), a little of this barrel-aged beast of an imperial stout is still on tap after Blackest Friday, so get it while it lasts!

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: Superior Porter (6.3% ABV, 34 IBU), a seasonal-appropriate robust porter, available in cans and on draft.

Travel Bug — Featured seasonal: This bookstore/cafe 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: Contact the brewery for an updated list of seasonals.

Other breweries you need to visit

Bathtub Row Brewing — Featured seasonal: Oz’s Oatmeal Stout (5% ABV), it’s back on tap after a short absence, because you need a stout after skiing at Pajarito, right?

Downshift Brewing — Featured seasonal: Gratitude Pale Ale (5.4% ABV, 40 IBU), brewed to support local charities, and right now $1 from every pint sold goes to helping in the recovery efforts from the South Fork and Salt fires.

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

Red River Brewing and Distilling — Featured seasonal: Russian Imperial Stout (10% ABV, 30 IBU), which proves you just have to head north into the colder regions of New Mexico to find the big stouts.

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

Truth or Consequences Brewing — Featured seasonal: Rio Rojo Red Ale (4.5% ABV, 30 IBU), a nice malty treat similar to the Irish red, but made with different malts and a German ale yeast that produce some distinctive differences.

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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