Bow & Arrow’s aim remains true with its barrel-aged program

It’s always a pleasure to sit down with Shyla Sheppard and Missy Begay, owners of Bow & Arrow Brewing Co., and head brewer Ted O’Hanlan. After last summer’s piece on the barrel-aged program they were just rolling out then, I was eager to catch up on what we can look forward to in 2018. First…

Starr Brothers expansion lights the way to a bright 2018

Starr Brothers Brewing has just passed its two-year anniversary last weekend, and is no longer the new kid on the brewing block. The brewery has established itself with a welcoming Northeast Heights taproom and a solid lineup of house beers. To catch up on all that went down in the past year and what is…

Fire & Hops ushers Bell’s brews into Santa Fe

The arrival of Bell’s Brewery in New Mexico led to plenty of special tappings and tap takeovers. One of those took place in Santa Fe, at an establishment that is becoming a go-to place for craft beer lovers. “Bell’s reputation precedes it,” said Josh Johns, co-owner and cicerone of Fire & Hops Gastropub. “I’m always…

Chili Line Brewing does not go up in smoke after all

I dipped into Santa Fe’s Pizzeria da Lino last week to catch up with Alexander Pertusini, head brewer of Chili Line Brewing, to get the story on what’s really happening with the brewery. Let’s set the record straight — they’re not closed and there are no plans to close. A recent social media post kicked…

Firestone Walker strolls into New Mexico

We’ve been waiting. Yes, that is directed at you Firestone Walker. It’s been about four years, four months and counting since I moved to the Land of Enchantment. Four years and four months of stuffing my checked bags with Union Jack and Wookey Jack whenever I traveled out of state. But hey, all seems to…

ABQ Beer Week Recaps: Mother Road travels the Mother Road

Last summer, I stopped by Mother Road Brewing in Flagstaff as they were just about to launch their product in New Mexico. I was already a fan of their Lost Highway Black IPA (8% ABV, 100 IBU), and was thrilled to find that I loved their seasonal Roadside Grove even more. Last summer’s experiment added…

Tubs with taps: The Czech beer spa experience

M: “My thumbs are sweating.” J: “Can eyeballs sweat? ‘Cause mine are.” This was the conversation between my husband and I as we laid trapped, rolled up — torturously — in electric blankets with the heat turned all the way up in a subterranean room in the center of Prague. M: “I’m such a moist…

My IPA is too heady for this heat: Session IPA selections from Susan’s

In honor of IPA Day, I went in search of the best out-of-state Session IPAs that can be found in Santa Fe. Susan’s Fine Wine and Spirits (1005 S. St. Francis Drive) is my go-to place, conveniently located between home and office. I found the beer manager, Matt Zehnder, who was likely afraid I’d repeat my offense when I went in search of new-to-us Evil Twin brews a couple of weeks ago. Yeah, I took all the beer out of the boxes. Two hours old and not in your system? Don’t care. Here’s some money, I’m running out of the store with my spoils.

V + IPA = You’re allowed to be judgey

“In the broader sense, I’m wondering how many medals New Mexico will score at Great American Beer Festival,” said New Mexico Brewers Guild director Christopher Goblet. “IPA is only one section within GABF, but let’s wave that ‘NMIPA’ flag proudly.” He’s right. I make a formal motion for all of us to turn that flag…