Stoutmeister

New Brewers Guild executive director stoked to return to her home state

If the new executive director of the New Mexico Brewers Guild looks familiar to anyone, it would probably to the former loyal customers of one of our state’s classic brewpubs, Chama River, that is sadly no more. That alone is the first sign that a lot has changed since Tess Vidalis left New Mexico, and…

Stout Challenge XI: The first winner reclaims the title in Smooth fashion

There is no such thing is a perfect beer tasting event. Whether it is the annual IPA Challenge, or even the Brew Crew’s own Stout Challenge, something usually comes up that throws it all for a loop; sometimes it’s big, sometimes it’s small. In our case on Saturday night, we were all a bit surprised…

Stout Challenge XI: Can Canteen become the first back-to-back winner?

Super Bowl weekend is upon us, which means it is time for the Dark Side Brew Crew’s annual Stout Challenge. For the second year in a row we are changing things up slightly, with a new location and on a different day. In the past, we have usually held this blind-taste test of the finest…

The Week Ahead in Beer: From a Super Sunday to loving brews on a Monday

The downside, or upside, depending on one’s perspective, of the NFL going to an 18th week/17th game was that the Super Bowl got pushed back a week. The big game is this Sunday, followed by Valentine’s Day on Monday. In other words, pace yourselves carefully this weekend, at least those of you in committed relationships….

Rio Bravo readies a rebrand as part of an ongoing return to normalcy in 2022

The good folks at Rio Bravo Brewing had already given me a list of possible interview times for our Look Back/Look Ahead Series when I learned that their newest limited beer release, Putin’s Mistress (Rum-Barrel-Aged Coffee Imperial Stout), was due out right in between those possible dates. Luckily, director of brewing operations Austin Giorgetta also…

Small brewer license renewals come with a surprise for some this year

Back in 2019, Senate Bill 413 was passed, which had a potentially profound effect on breweries throughout New Mexico. One of its key provisions was a new requirement for every brewery to produce a minimum of 50 barrels per year, or at least have its own beers account for 50 percent of total alcohol sales….

Kaktus Brewing overcomes numerous obstacles to post its best year to date

There has always been a general sense of optimism that permeates just about every aspect of Kaktus Brewing in Bernalillo. Even amidst all the challenges of 2021, the staff there was still happy to report it was a positive year, as we learned in our latest Look Back/Look Ahead Series entry. I sat down with…

Sidetrack Brewing finds being small can be big in advance of its 6th anniversary

The general belief that the smaller breweries were taking the brunt of the pandemic has not quite proven to be the case, as we have learned for this go-around of the Look Back/Look Ahead Series. Take Sidetrack Brewing, for example, where things seem to be thriving rather than struggling as they prepare for their sixth…

The Week Ahead in Beer: New canned releases surge in grand January finale

There are quite a few canned releases to close out this month, which is just fine since our beer fridges haven’t been overflowing at all lately. (Insert sarcastic and/or maniacal laughter here.) The hop-forward beers are surprisingly the dominant style being released in package this week, but in New Mexico, it’s always hoppy season. There…

Tractor Brewing plows through a blur of a year with higher hopes for 2022

The global pandemic has left no business unscathed, but for breweries with a big focus on hosting events, it was particularly rough over the past year-plus. Perhaps no brewery in New Mexico endured the ups and downs quite as much as Tractor Brewing. I sat down with marketing director Jeremy Kinter and co-owner/brewmaster David Hargis…