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…
Rowley Farmhouse Ales looks forward to releasing more quality beer in 2022
2021 wasn’t exactly the year we hoped for in terms of miraculously expelling the virus sweeping the planet, but it was a year where we began to put on pants again, get outside, and begin to move forward with plans, and get back to the simple things like joining your buddy for a beer. Recently,…
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…
The legend of the Second Street Barleywine once known as Skookum
Tonight, Second Street Brewery is releasing not one, but two special barleywines for 2021. That’s right, the Rufina Street location will have both an English- and an American-style barleywine available for purchase that will surely keep you in the holiday spirit all winter long. As you may have already heard, these beers can be collected…
The Week Ahead In Beer: Did Somebody Say Imperial?
Just a few lovely imperial stouts and barleywines this week to keep us all warm and jolly through the rest of December. Second Street is turning 25(!) this week, so raise a glass or two of Skookum to that! There are a few more holiday markets this weekend, as well, so check those out in…
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…
DARK SIDE BREW CREW 