Well, darn it, for the second time this year a major holiday for beer is falling on a Monday. Yup, Cinco de Mayo follows in the unfortunate footsteps of St. Patrick’s Day by kicking off a week instead of ending it. That does mean there will be some festivities over the weekend — the Isotopes are hosting “Quatro de Mayo” on Sunday, even though that day is technically the property of Star Wars — but for the most part it will be a fairly quiet celebration around the holiday for most breweries. Brew Lab 101 will have an early Cinco de Mayo-themed party Saturday at 7 p.m., while Kaktus will be open Monday (they’re usually closed that day) from 4 to 9 p.m., with live music starting at 6 p.m. Just about everyone else is keeping things relatively casual. Just be careful out there. Police will almost certainly be extra vigilant, with multiple DWI checkpoints likely set up throughout the metro area. Do yourself a favor and make good use of Uber/Lyft/that sober friend who owes you a ride. Summer is almost here. Let’s make sure we all get to see it so we can complain about the heat together.

New Draft:

Casa Vieja tapped Hop the Casbah, a new hazy IPA (and now a certain song is so stuck in your heads, just like ours). Dripline added Czech Up, a refreshing new lager served via the side-pull tap. Flix Brewhouse tapped The POG Father, a hazy IPA. Flock of Moons is bringing back MÖÖN Kolsch later this week. Marble recently revived Rosa Amarilla IPA, West Coast Pilsner, and (drum roll) Imperial Red. Sidetrack tapped Happy Hopper Honey IPA last weekend. Starr Brothers brought back Tamale Wood Nights, their amber lager. Both Boxing Bear and Painted Lady have teased new beers coming out this Saturday, but they are being cagey on the details, so when they update us, we will update this post. (UPDATE) Boxing Bear’s new beer, Alan The Cowboy Dark Kolsch, will actually debut Friday.

Down south, Truth or Consequences Brewing will bring back Dark Skies Oatmeal Stout on Thursday.

New Package:

Boxing Bear will release Albumurky DDH Citra Hazy IPA in cans and on draft this Saturday. Ex Novo released the newest addition to their year-round lineup, Sunset Syndrome Hazy IPA, in cans and on draft. La Cumbre will release Crest Trail IPA in cans and on draft this Friday. Second Street has a fresh batch of Southpaw Sour in cans and on draft.

Notable Events:

Friday — It’s time for Art Walk downtown, and Sidetrack will have an art opening and Adobe Disco spinning some tunes from 5 to 9 p.m.

Boxing Bear is bringing back their First Fridays event, formerly at the West Downtown taproom, now at Firestone starting at 6 p.m. There will be vendors, music, art, and more.

The First Fridays Comedy Contest returns to Tractor Wells Park at 8 p.m.

Saturday — The Community Swap & Trade is back at Boxing Bear Firestone from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Second Street Rufina will host a Garden Party from 1:30 to 4 p.m.

Ex Novo will have a special release party for the Sunset Syndrome at the downtown pub from 3 to 8 p.m. Dressing like you could have been an extra in Miam Vice is encouraged.

Scary Movie Bingo is back at Painted Lady Bed and Brew at 7 p.m., this time featuring the original feature film version of Buffy the Vampire Slayer.

Sunday — Canteen will host a Pet Adoption Event from noon to 3 p.m.

The Women Shine Expo will be at Painted Lady from noon to 5 p.m.

Bosque North will host a Star Wars-themed version of their Sip & Shop from 1 to 5 p.m.

The First Sunday Art Market is back at Tumbleroot Agua Fria from 2 to 6 p.m.

Quick News Bits:

Flix Brewhouse is opening their second location on the east side near Indian School and Tramway. The first showings are Thursday. We will hopefully have a more in-depth look at this second theater’s brewery setup in the near future.

Sidetrack will now open at noon on Saturdays and Sundays. Other hours remain unchanged.

Some bummer news, as High and Dry Brewing is no longer brewing. Crew members who visited recently said it’s almost all guest taps now. There was a shakeup at the ownership level, and while we have reached out for more details, we have not heard back.

Las Cruces’ Icebox Brewing has now officially taken over the former Public House 28 Brewery near Anthony, rebranding it as the Icebox 28 Beer Garden. It is the sixth overall location for Icebox and the second outside Las Cruces, joining their Hatch taproom.

We did mention an upcoming change in ownership at Sidetrack Brewing in a recent feature, and we promise to have a full story in the near future.

Lots of newsy tidbits from our last Beer Notes, including an update on Lasso Brewing, the new project from the owners of Gravity Bound.

Albuquerque metro area breweries

Boese Brothers Brewery — Featured seasonal: Zeus Juice IPA (7.8% ABV), the ever-popular seasonal juicy IPA is back for another run.

Bombs Away Beer Company — Featured seasonal: Countermine Coffee Stout (5.4% ABV, 50 IBU), it’s pretty much as described, and that is just fine.

Bosque Brewing Company — Featured seasonal: Scale Tipper IPA (7.3% ABV, 100 IBU), the big old West Coast hop bomb is back in cans and on draft for a limited time.

Bow & Arrow Brewing — Featured seasonal: Way Out Scenic West (6% ABV), a hazy IPA with blueberry and coconut added for a unique look and taste.

Boxing Bear Brewing Company — Featured seasonal: Blonde Bearista (5%), a golden coffee stout that is available on nitro in addition to CO2.

Brekki Brekki — Featured seasonal: Cherry Stout (5% ABV), on draft for a limited time.

Brew Lab 101 Beer & Cider Company — Featured seasonal: Guatemalan Express, a coffee-infused Mexican-style amber lager.

Canteen Brewhouse — Featured seasonal: Vienna Lager (5.3% ABV, 28 IBU), a lovely amber lager, now available in cans and on draft.

Casa Vieja Brewery — Featured seasonal: Lazy Days Cold IPA (6.0% ABV), a nice little hop bomb for cool nights on the patio.

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

Differential Brewing — Featured seasonal: Mint Porter (4.7% ABV, 35 IBU), which is way better than those little mint and chocolate candies they leave in fancy hotels.

Dripline Brewery — Featured seasonal: Super Bloom APA (5.4% ABV), a sweet, floral pale ale that goes quite well with the new lineup of tasty smash burgers from the kitchen.

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

Ex Novo Brewing — Featured seasonal: Krispy’s Kolsch (4.9% ABV), available on draft and in cans.

Flix Brewhouse  — Featured seasonal: Contact the brewery/movie theater for an updated list of seasonals.

Flock of Moons Brewing — Featured seasonal: Amalthea Dawn (6.8% ABV, 30 IBU), a classic maibock that’s just right for the spring.

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: Wind Blows IPA, one of the all-time great beer names for our state, available on draft and in cans.

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: Winter Doppelbock, a hefty lager to get you through the last of the chilly season.

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.

Marble Brewery — Featured seasonal: The Parting Glass (5% ABV), an Irish dry stout served on nitro.

Nexus Brewery — Featured seasonal: Holodeck Helles, a delightful lager brewed for a good cause, with $1 from every pint sold going to the MS Society.

Painted Lady Bed and Brew — Featured seasonal: Whatever You Do, Don’t Fall Asleep, a coffee blonde ale inspired by the original A Nightmare on Elm Street.

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: Barrel-Aged Irish Handcuffs Imperial Stout (12.2% ABV), this delicious monstrosity is available for a limited time, so get it. Now. NOW.

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

Rumor Brewing — Featured seasonal: La Madera Mild (5.5% ABV, 22 IBU), a chewy little biscuit of an English-style brew that is perfect before or after a day on the hiking trails around Cedar Crest.

Sidetrack Brewing — Featured seasonal: Matching Stoutfits (6.6% ABV, 30 IBU), it’s back on nitro only for a limited time.

Starr Brothers Brewing — Featured seasonal: Hazebangers Ball (6.5% ABV), a hazy IPA with a most-excellent name for all of us Gen Xers who grew up watching a certain show on MTV when it still played music videos.

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: Dry Irish Stout, a much more robust version of this style than many other breweries offer.

The Tatted Bee Brewhouse — Featured seasonal: Tatted Stout, a nice and chewy dark ale of decadence.

Thirsty Eye Brewing — Featured seasonal: Aldo’s Last Stand (6.5% ABV, 60 IBU), a chocolate-and-roast beast of an American stout.

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: Scarlet Letter (12.5%), the brewery’s first seltzer is an imperial one, made with cranberry and sage.

Unhinged Brewing — Featured seasonal: Tatooine Spring (7.8% ABV), the imperial amber is back for another run.

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: Laying New Tracks IPA, part of a whole series of railroad-themed names and we’re just gonna guess it’s because they’re at the Santa Fe Railyard.

Rowley Farmhouse Ales — Featured seasonal: Second-String Loser (9.6% ABV, 26 IBU), a Belgian golden strong ale.

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: Irish Goodbye Stout (4.6% ABV), a proper seasonal for the waning days of March.

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: Citranaut IPA (6.6% ABV, 25 IBU), is flying off the shelves thanks to its combo of Citra and Triumph hops.

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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