Greetings all, this is Stoutmeister, back from my one-week vacation in Valencia, Spain. Found some good hidden beer spots, ate a lot of serrano ham, and walked and walked some more.

I promised a quick roundup of anything I missed while I was gone, and while there were no big, earth-shattering stories, there was the World Beer Cup at the Craft Brewers Conference (if your favorite brewery’s staff seemed a little smaller this week, they were all in Philadelphia). We’ll toss in that and a few beer releases and weekend events.

Onward and upward!

Two breweries medal at WBC

New Mexico breweries do not medal as much in the big competitions as they did in the past, and that is just fine. The days of spending extra to try and win a medal are done. Like it or not, every single beer is new brewed under a financial microscope with brewery budgets being as tight as they are in the current economy.

Still, it was nice to see at least a couple of local breweries bring home the hardware from this edition of the World Beer Cup.

First up, Ex Novo claimed bronze in the Dortmunder category for Munder, She Wrote. This annual release has been a favorite of the Crew, and not just because of the clever name.

Next, Quarter Celtic continues their run of being one of the very best breweries in competitions, and this time it was for a core lineup beer instead of a seasonal. Crimson Lass took silver in the Irish Red Ale category.

Munder, She Wrote is available in cans and on draft at both Ex Novo locations. Crimson Lass is available year-round on draft at both QC locations, and you can always take a Quarter Can home.

New beer releases to check out

This is not a comprehensive list, but here are some of the new brews popping up this week/weekend around the state.

• Calavida Cantina tapped Altitude Adjustment, a new West Coast IPA.
• Canteen added Noble Gas 420 IPA on draft.
• Ex Novo brought back C.R.E.A.M., a coffee cream ale brewed in collaboration with Oval Dogs Coffee, available in cans and on draft.
• Gravity Bound has a new Czech pale lager, Praha, available in cans and on draft.
• La Cumbre brought back Crest Trail IPA in cans and on draft, releasing today (Friday) at both locations.
• Sidetrack sneaked a batch of Buzz Bomb onto the taps.
• Tractor is releasing Fonio Pilsner today (Friday).
• Up north, Second Street tapped SSB Helles.
• Down south, Downshift has brought back a fan favorite with Scooby Snacks IPA in cans and on draft.

Events galore this weekend

As per usual, breweries are keeping things festive this spring weekend.

• Bow & Arrow has been hosting three days of live music, with day two tonight from 7 to 9 p.m. Bearwolfe, a native-led indie rock band, will command the stage. Saturday will feature DJ Garronteed and DJ Nokobah from noon to 5 p.m. There is no cover for either show.
• Boxing Bear hosts the Ladies First Fest at the Firestone taproom Saturday at 5 p.m. There will be a vendor market, live music, beer, food, and Albuquerque Poet Laureate Jessica Helen Lopez will be on hand.
• Brew Lab 101 hosts the Rip & Sip Vendor Fest for card collectible fans from noon to 6 p.m.
• Canteen will host Day Drinking for a Cause this Saturday from noon to 7 p.m., with $1 from every pint sold going to the Rio Grande Food Project. Crazy Bird (2 to 4 p.m.) and Blue Midnight (5 to 7 p.m.) will supply the live music. There is also the Day Drinking Dash 5K ($20 per person) beforehand at 11 a.m.
• High and Dry hosts the Indigenous Craft Mini Market this Saturday from 5 to 10 p.m.
• Marble does not have any big events this weekend, because they are saving up for their big 18th anniversary party on May 2. Check the socials for all the details.
• Steel Bender will be supporting the Rio Grande Community Farm Spring Festival and Plant Sale on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Located at 1701 Montano Rd NW, this event will feature food trucks, a vendor market, live music, and Steel Bender brews.
• Tractor Wells Park hosts a rare touring band (they prefer to support local), Giant Waste of Man, tonight at 6 p.m. There will be locals opening with No Manners and Tewa. No Manners is composed of some of our favorite humans, and while they are not a metal band, they always manage to put on an entertaining show.
• Up in Los Alamos, Bathtub Row has the rare treat of hosting a touring band. Igor & the Red Elvises will perform starting at 6 p.m. Tickets are required and you can get yours here.

That is all from me as I fight off some serious jet lag. Hey, it’s not like I agreed to cover a co-worker’s Saturday day shift at work and will then head straight to the New Mexico United game. Oh, wait, damn it, I did.

No rest for the weary, right? Please let us know if I missed any news over the past week. Drop a DM on social media or email the Crew at nmdarksidebrewcrew@gmail.com.

Keep supporting local!

— Stoutmeister