Back before the final round of the 2025 New Mexico Brewers Guild IPA Challenge, the Crew got all sentimental because it was going to be held at Canteen, the site of the first NMIPAC that we attended as a Crew back in 2012.

Well, lo and behold, it was actually the 2016 NMIPAC that was truly the reference point to the past, as for the first time since then the final tally came down to a single vote. And, just like back then, Boxing Bear Brewing came out the winner, slipping past Downshift Brewing by a total of 53 votes to 52 Saturday evening.

“I think honestly it was just the fact it was just a huge team effort to get this in,” said Boxing Bear head brewer Eddie Dominguez. “We tried to do something by ourselves and it came down to the entire team to actually produce a great beer. It’s evident that Albuquerque loves our beer and we’re going to try to keep it going.”

Downshift actually claimed the most votes Saturday with 39 after picking up a combined 13 between the first two rounds. Boxing Bear’s Juice Boxer IPA earned 33 votes to go with the prior 20 it earned in Santa Fe and Las Cruces.

“Props to Downshift, their beer is amazing, especially with everything they’ve bene through down in Ruidoso,” Dominguez said. “They’ve always made great beer. It’s really cool to see them making just as great of a beer as what (the rest of) the state is putting out.”

Downshift co-owner/head brewer Eddie Gutierrez was all smiles, though, despite the razor-thin results.

“Man, I don’t know (how to feel), I’m excited,” he said. “We’re pretty happy to come up north and do well. I feel like every year it’s a roll of the dice. You never know where it’s going to go.”

That certainly seemed to be the case as almost every patron that the Crew talked to had the hardest time picking a winner. The quality of the IPAs, as predicted weeks ago by one of the brewers, was definitely up there.

Another southern New Mexico Brewery, Icebox Brewing, came in third with 47 votes after having dominated the second round on their own turf. Host Canteen was fourth with 42 total.

For those wondering who was who on the tray, Downshift was No. 1, Canteen was No. 3, and Boxing Bear was No. 14. The Guild has the full list on their social media.

Finally, though, the best part of this competition is how it can drive people to visit (or revisit) breweries they have been to before, or in a while. Certainly the good folks in Ruidoso hope that this encourages beer lovers from around the state to make a stop at Downshift, which has both of their taprooms up and running, along with many other bars, restaurants, shops, and hotels in the town and points nearby. Just check your phone for any weather alerts to stay safe.

“We’re (still) here and have plenty of beer,” Gutierrez said.

Overall, it was a hot but great day, with the Canteen team and the many Brewers Guild volunteers and board members keeping things running as smoothly as possible. Kudos to each and every one of them.

Congrats to everyone involved this year. That was fun. I need a burger and a nap. In that order.

Keep supporting local!

— Stoutmeister