Blue Grasshopper begins the difficult process of scaling back

A surprising post on Facebook changed our plans on Saturday, when we read that Blue Grasshopper Brewery was holding a “grand closing” of its location at Second Street and Summer in Wells Park. Taking a chance, I drove down and found co-owner Peter Apers was still around and willing to chat about everything that is…

Desert Valley taproom in Northeast Heights is now closed

After receiving a tip in the morning, the Crew has confirmed that the Desert Valley Brewing taproom located at Wyoming and Comanche has now closed. The popular Westside location is still open and is doing just fine, we have been assured. Per a direct message from Desert Valley on Facebook, the Heights taproom was subleased…

What’s in the box?! Rowley Farmhouse Ales has big news

Recently I was sitting at Rowley Farmhouse Ales, talking about barrel-aged goodies with the bartender as I sipped on their latest edition of Agent Scully IPA. Chef and co-owner Jeffrey Kaplan then sauntered down the steps, as he often does at the end of the day to greet his customers and check on the business…

Steel Bender gears up for another year of Balloons & Brews

The Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta is a big, wild event, and that can often include the task of getting in and out of the park, finding food to eat, something to drink, and so on. Two years ago, Steel Bender Brewyard provided a bit of an alternative, inviting everyone over early in the morning to…

Second Street heads into the Oktoberforest for a good cause

Second Street Brewery is celebrating Oktoberfest with a special event at the Railyard location today (Tuesday) from 5 to 8 p.m. It is not, however, just about the beer. The name of this special brew, which will be on tap and for sale in six-pack cans, is Oktoberforest, and is part of a wider campaign…

Tractor Brewing adds spirits and cocktails to its Westside Taproom

Back when we wrote about Tractor Brewing’s forthcoming Los Lunas Taproom, it was noted that it will be the first off-site location that will have its Troubled Minds spirits in addition to beer and cider. Well, it will actually be the second taproom, as Tractor announced this week that cocktails are coming to the Westside…