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…
Category: Look Back/Look Ahead Series 2021-22
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…
Marble Brewery refocuses its efforts on planning ahead amid ongoing pandemic
The bigger the brewery, the harder it can be sometimes to pivot and adjust to the constantly shifting currents of the world at large these days. For the biggest brewery in Albuquerque, it has certainly been a challenge for Marble, but with a little extra advance planning, the staff has been able to keep things…
A return to business as usual welcomed at all four Boese Brothers locations
With four locations (plus a new cocktail bar) throughout the state, the nearly seven-year-old Boese Brothers Brewery has certainly made its mark in the New Mexico brewing industry. Luckily for co-owner George Boese, the brewery has built a dependable management and brewing staff to keep things running smoothly, even during a pandemic “I’m happy that…
Thirsty Eye Brewing finds efficiency is the key to survival in the pandemic
Sometimes, the smallest things can make a big difference, even for breweries. Such was the case in 2021 for Thirsty Eye Brewing, where one small improvement in the brewing process helped them endure the many ups and downs of the pandemic. I sat down with co-owner Kim Arthun, his wife and general manager Jo Sloan,…
Casa Vieja Brewery lifts locals’ spirits in the Village of Corrales and beyond
One thing about this darn pandemic is that we have all learned another reason for keeping it local. Very local. We’re all staying closer to home these days, and residents in the Village of Corrales like to support their neighborhood businesses. That’s a good thing for Casa Vieja at 4541 Corrales Road. Owner Gary Socha…
ReSource Brewing finds its way amid the new normal as neighborhood pub
For many new business owners, opening a brewery during a pandemic may have been an impossibility. For Shawn Wright, the brewer and co-owner of ReSource Brewing Company, the experience has been “fun, to say the least.” Just before the new year, I met up with Shawn and his wife and brewery co-owner Stephanie for their…
Palmer Brewery and Cider House shifts focus due to increased demand
It has been another crazy, mixed-up year, and recent holiday season. But, despite all the ups and downs this year, Palmer Brewery and Cider House has successfully reopened (following the COVID shutdown) one taproom up north in Raton, the Gate City Craft Bar, and opened the new Taproom at Old Town at 546 Romero St….
Lava Rock Brewing regains its footing and now aims to open a new taproom
Back in the midst of the more restrictive days of the pandemic, a change in brewers went down on the Westside, and none of us in the Crew was able to head over and get the lowdown. I finally rectified that on the final day of 2021, catching up with Lava Rock head brewer Dan…
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…
DARK SIDE BREW CREW 