Well, thank the dark lord, 2021 is almost over. Finding optimism for 2022 can be hard sometimes, but hey, at least there will be new beer to enjoy. Right? RIGHT, UNIVERSE?! Ahem, anyway, this final week of this misbegotten trip around the sun will feature a couple big stouts in cans, an aptly named lager,…
Author: Stoutmeister
Former sports writer in Tucson, LA, and Burque. Now I write about craft beer, which is a totally reasonable way to support my hobby of spending afternoons and evenings indulging in the finest stouts, lagers, and more.
Ponderosa Brewing posts banner year even amid all the challenges of 2021
Ponderosa head brewer Antonio Fernandez is not the kind of person who looks at a pint glass as half empty. Even in a year where things felt like they were far emptier than just halfway, he and the team at the Sawmill District brewpub managed to remain upbeat and cautiously optimistic for 2022. After having…
The mostly complete guide to Christmas Eve/Day hours at local breweries
With Christmas Eve and Day almost upon us, we thought it would be a good idea to put together a guide to all the altered closing and opening times. This year did provide a surprise as there will be four breweries (and counting) open on Christmas Day. Gravity Bound will be open from noon to…
The Week Ahead in Beer: The calm before the Christmas chaos
Almost without fail, the busiest and most profitable day of the week for breweries is Saturday, as one might guess. So of course 2021 will finish off with Christmas on a Saturday, because this year has no mercy. In other words, get out and support the breweries in these final days before you are imprisoned…
Canteen Brewhouse keeps cozy pub mentality while expanding distribution
It was a dark and crowded evening at Canteen Brewhouse last week when I sat down with head brewer Zach Guilmette and general manager Jamie Schwebach for our latest entry in the annual Look Back/Look Ahead Series. Before the Porter Draw took the stage next to our table, we went over the ups and downs…
Steel Bender navigates through one hard year with more challenges ahead
The usually cheerful disposition of the Steel Bender Brewyard command staff was tested again and again in 2021. That should come as no surprise to anyone who has read our recent entries in the annual Look Back/Look Ahead Series, but it can be tough to see the effects of this year borne out on the…
Outpost 1706 brings craft beers and laid-back vibes to Old Town Plaza
Rumors of a craft beer taproom coming to the heart of Old Town began circulating early this year, then died down, then revved back up, went quiet, and finally came to fruition back during the Balloon Fiesta when Outpost 1706 opened briefly. Now the taproom is fully open, and after making a stealth visit with…
Boxing Bear teams up with local metal band Blue Heron for Sister tap takeover
If you are a band and you want to release a 7-inch EP for the world to enjoy, teaming up with a brewery and a local bar/music venue seems like the right thing to do in Albuquerque. Local metal band Blue Heron will take the stage at Sister on Saturday night, while Boxing Bear will…
Bosque embarks on new chapter with even more taprooms in the works
Bosque Brewing chief operating officer Jess Griego faces so many challenges on a daily basis that taking on all of our “tough” questions for our annual Look Back/Look Ahead Series must seem like a mini-vacation. We met up at the Bosque Nob Hill Taproom on Wednesday to try to wrap up everything at all six…
The Week Ahead in Beer: Holiday merriment arrives in liquid form
As we creep closer and closer to the holidays, our breweries are keeping us well stocked with new brews and special events to help distract us from everything we can’t get due to supply chain problems. From more holiday markets, to La Cumbre’s anniversary beer releases, to the Desert Darlings performing at Tractor Wells Park,…
DARK SIDE BREW CREW 