As we look back on 2019 and look ahead into 2020 for Turtle Mountain, it was a year of transition to be sure with a changing of the guard in some key positions and a drive to solidify in the wake of the those changes before jumping into the new year. I (Franz Solo) was…
Category: Look Back/Look Ahead Series 2019-20
Ponderosa Brewing continues to grow as Sawmill District rapidly develops
Driving over to Ponderosa Brewing, it can be hard to miss the rapid growth of the entire Sawmill District in all directions. Old warehouses and empty lots are being transformed into modern commercial and residential properties. Amid it all, Ponderosa has continued to grow at its own pace, keeping up with what is quickly becoming…
New Mexico Brewers Guild earns big legislative victory during year of transition
The New Mexico Brewers Guild accomplished a lot more than just hosting a few events during 2019. It pulled off a big win at the state legislature, changed executive directors, and continued to do its best representing each of its 81 members, big and small, urban and rural, throughout the year. To recap all of…
Steel Bender Brewyard straightens out after year of rapid growth and change
It has been quite a year of rapid growth for the good folks over at Steel Bender Brewyard. To catch up on all of it and see what is coming in 2020, I sat down with owners Ethan and Shelby Chant, head brewer Bob Haggerty, and sales manager Adam Auden. “Looking back, it was amazing,”…
The mad scientists of the MavLab reach new milestones in Northeast Heights
Back during the time I was interviewing the key members of the Marble Brewery staff for their entry in our Look Back/Look Ahead Series, brewmaster Josh Trujillo and I ended up missing our chance to talk before that article was published. In a way, though, the work that Josh and brewer Greg Dupy are doing…
Flix gets studious for 2019 and we all reap the delicious rewards
Greetings fellow beer lovers, Franz Solo here with the second entry to my portion of our annual Look Back/Look Ahead Series. I live just minutes away from Flix Brewhouse and have enjoyed quite a few lovely film-and-beer days and nights there since their opening. It was my pleasure to talk to head brewer Will Moorman…
“This old house” in Corrales plays to its strengths
Casa Vieja, located at 4541 Corrales Road, decidedly does not want to be like the other breweries you know. This beautiful, historic building has had several lives. But, most recently, the Socha family purchased the site in 2016 and opened it as an event center, followed by the addition of a brewery. To read some…
Santa Fe Brewing builds up HQ in 2019 so it can keep expanding in 2020
Santa Fe Brewing Company had its busiest year yet. But, for a brewery known to spend a great deal of its efforts on expanding the empire outward, 2019 found New Mexico’s oldest operating brewery crafting closer to home and building upward. Not too long ago, I met with owner Brian Lock on my lunch break…
Marble Brewery rolls through a year of distribution growth and expanded events
Even a year without any major projects can prove to be a busy one, at least as far as Marble Brewery is concerned. The brewery that started the current boom back in 2008 continued to see a steady increase in sales, with more events at its three locations, all of which should continue into 2020,…
Black Snout Brewhouse hopes to get even more dog friendly next year
The last time I visited a few weeks after their June opening, Black Snout Brewhouse only had one of their own beers on tap. They reported selling out quickly because they have a small system. Owner Josh James said they are consistently keeping at least five on tap now. They do still have a few…