In case you have somehow missed it, Route 66 turned 100 years old this year, and just about everyone and anyone is finding ways to celebrate the centennial of the road that long ago connected the West to the Midwest.

Over at Boxing Bear Brewing, that of course of means creating a special new beer, and it also means teaming up with the New Mexico State Fair.

Centennial Lager is the official beer of this year’s Fair, and will be on tap there, at both Boxing Bear taprooms, and for sale in cans just about everywhere beer is sold.

“It’s going to be something amazing that we have never had before,” said Dan Mourning, the general manager of the State Fair. “And we cannot wait for this. You know, the state fair is about families and friends coming together and celebrating the great history of the New Mexico and all the great things that make the state wonderful. Well, nothing epitomizes that more than Boxing Bear Brewery, it is truly a family affair.”

Mourning summoned Dylan Davis, Boxing Bear’s director of brewing operations and the son of co-owner Kevin Davis, to join him at the press conference inside the brewery Tuesday.

“Well, we decided to brew something that we thought epitomizes the state of New Mexico in our Centennial Lager,” Dylan Davis said. “We wanted something that wasn’t gimmicky. … Just a nice, easy-drinking, approachable beer for the everyday drinker. Something that really kind of epitomizes the state of NewMexico. It’s got a beautiful yellow color (on the can label) just like our state flag, and it’s got a really (sharp) clarity to it.

“And, we just thought this here was perfect. It’s very easy-drinking, low ABV (lager). The closest thing to it would be, I would say, a pilsner or an American light logger, something that would just be perfect on a hot day at the State Fair, something that we really appreciate here at Boxing Bear. And, we’re honored to brew this here for the State Fair.”

Mourning said the partnership was set long before Boxing Bear won the recent New Mexico Brewers Guild IPA Challenge, but he added that victory only enhances the reason why the brewery was the perfect choice to brew this year’s official beer of the Fair.

“They just recently won the New Mexico IPA Challenge and when you talk about all of the (great) IPAs in New Mexico, to win that for this brewery, it’s a big deal,” Mourning said. “So we are so honored to be able to partner with Boxing Bear this year.”

The Centennial Lager will be on tap everywhere beer is sold at the Fairgrounds, and Davis said it will be at most retailers where Boxing Bear beers are sold. Of course, it will also be at both the Firestone and Tramway taprooms, but the supply of draft and cans will be limited.

Mourning said he was happy to keep the tradition going of the Fair teaming up with a local brewery. Past collaborations have included Marble, Tumbleroot, and Ex Novo, to name a few.

“We’ve been one of the first in the country to start representing the craft beer industry,” he said. “Now, I don’t want to say that other states and other fairs are copying us now, but, hey, you know that’s flattering to us. But, it’s something we’ve been doing for over 12 years now. This is exciting and we want to represent not just one, but all different facets of the industry.”

A nice, crisp lager to help us transition from summer to fall? Yeah, sign us up for a perfect post-road trip beer.

Thanks to Boxing Bear and the State Fair team for having us today (and for a can or two to take home for some proper tasting).

Keep supporting local!

— Stoutmeister