Quarter Celtic keeps the good times and the medal count rolling along

The QC brew team, decked out in their finest. (All photos courtesy of Quarter Celtic)

When we started the Look Back/Look Ahead Series this time around with a three-question format, we figured the answer to the first of those questions would be just about the same for everyone.

But, as we also know, breweries come in all shapes and sizes, so “the economy, duh” has not always been the answer to what was the biggest challenge of 2025. For packaging-and-production breweries, yeah, that basically has been the primary response. For the smaller neighborhood breweries, both those with and without food, the answers have varied.

For Quarter Celtic Brewpub, well, they do touch on the bigger economic picture, but sometimes it can be something that is both simpler and more tangible, and yet possibly even more frustrating.

OK, so maybe this is the QC team decked out in their finest.

Keeping with the theme of this is still a busy month behind the scenes, the brothers Brady and Ror McKeown sent us the answers to our questions over email. They also sent all of these photos, and trust us, we did not have the space to get all the good ones in here.

NMDSBC: What was the biggest challenge of 2025?

QC: Well, the market has matured, and we knew that it would happen when we opened 10 years ago (top of the curve). Unlimited growth isn’t realistic in any market, but if you cultivate your customer base and focus on quality, then you’ve set yourself up for success. But, the biggest challenge has been the ongoing maintenance for both locations so that we ensure the best atmosphere and quality that our customers have come to expect. Particularly the stinkin’ plumbing at the brewery! #CastIronPlumbingSucks

NMDSBC: What was the biggest accomplishment of 2025?

QC: Ongoing, but in 2025 we felt encouraged by the continued support of our community. Quarter Celtic welcomed new faces, strengthened relationships, and experienced steady growth. We’ve created a culture where our employees want to be here. Over 40 percent of our staff have been with us between three to 10 years!

The brewers have kept their shorts clean and keep winning medals: With an unwavering determination and focus for ummm … third????

2025 North American Beer Awards — Bronze medal, Clean Pair O’Schwarz
2025 World Beer Cup — Bronze Medal, Vienna Lager
2025 European Beer Star — Bronze Medal, Clean Pair O’Schwarz
2025 Brussels Beer Challenge — Bronze Medal, Clean Pair O’Schwarz

Brady, Keegan, and Tristan have a fantastic synergy in the brewery and continually push each other to make some of the best beer, mead, and cider … well, in the world!

Quarter Celtic has come into its own as a restaurant over the years and has garnered a reputation for delicious Celtic fare, a fun pub atmosphere and lively, attentive service. In a nutshell, 2025 was a culmination of the past 10 years. We kept our nose to the grindstone and stayed involved and available.

The, uh, group costumes are getting a little more terrifying as we go along, guys.

NMDSBC: What is the goal/project/idea for 2026?

QC: Try not to overthink it. Maintain our relationships within the brewing community and be there for each other. I mean, come on, New Mexico has some of the best breweries in the country! Our brewers will keep pushing and experimenting with mead and cider as they are now staple items on our draught lines. Survive the Lenten fish season, crush St. Patrick’s Day, maybe pull a few more brewing medals for the wall. I (Ror) will look forward to coming to work and hanging out with my brother (Brady), my son (Keegan) and my perpetually twenty-something year old staff that keeps me feeling young!! Here’s to 2026, Slainte!

Let’s hear it for the front-of-house staff for giving us a non-scary/ridiculous group photo.

As always, we thank Brady and Ror for their time and their candor. Fear not, we have quite recently indulged in the delicious food and beers at the original location, so it’s not like we had to skip out just because we did not do a face-to-face interview this year. The Crew is still fat and happy, well, as happy as one can be these days.

Anyway, if you have not been to Quarter Celtic in a while, now is a great time to leave the cooking to them while you kick back with a beer and wonder how in the world the New England Patriots got their devil magic back as the NFL playoffs roll along. Or something like that.

Keep supporting local!

— Stoutmeister