Hopfest 2016: The first fest of the season keeps it fresh

Newcomers and summery, fresh-tasting, hoppy beers helped to keep interest alive for the ninth annual Albuquerque Hopfest. Each year the crowds get larger, and each year I wonder how in the world Marne Gaston puts on such a large production. But, she does, flawlessly, and I am in complete awe of her. I would be…

Eighteen NM breweries will pour their finest at Hopfest

Ah, late August, when the hints of cooler weather arrive, the kids go back to school, football (both American and international) revs up, and Hopfest takes over Isleta Casino. Hey, at nine years old, we can pretty much declare Hopfest an annual tradition. The largest beer festival in New Mexico returns this Saturday from 2…

Pajarito Summerfest: An alternative to Beer Week

So, you guys down in Albuquerque seem to be having a lot of fun with your “Beer Week” thing.  Lots of events all over town, lots of beer … I can appreciate that. But, some of us don’t get down to Albuquerque very often as we are stuck up in the mountains. Well, we don’t…

BearFest roars back to life this weekend at Boxing Bear

If last year proved anything, it is that Albuquerque has reached the point where it can support two beer festivals at the same time. There was much rejoicing about this, as the two events — BearFest at Boxing Bear and Blues & Brews at Sandia Casino — ended up attracting different crowds, thus not truly…

Outside Bike & Brew Festival kicks into high gear

The real fun with the Outside Bike & Brew Festival in Santa Fe begins today (Friday) and continues through the weekend. The main event will take place at Fort Marcy Park tonight and Saturday from 3:30 to 9 p.m. There will be live music, a beer garden, and a whole lot more. On the music…

Get your Skiesta and SW Chocolate and Coffee Fest beer lists here

We are a long way from regular festival season, but there are two events this weekend featuring some of our local breweries. Up at Pajarito Mountain above Los Alamos is Skiesta, which Reid previewed earlier this week. Over at the State Fairgrounds is the Southwest Chocolate & Coffee Fest, a two-day event this Saturday and…

Bathtub Row Brewing has a busy week ahead culminating in Skiesta

As usual, things are busy with Bathtub Row Brewing in Los Alamos. The big one is Skiesta, which will be held this Saturday.  If you’re into skiing and beer (and I bet a healthy percentage of you reading this are), this is an event not to be missed.  It’s getting awfully warm out there, so who…

Beer Notes: New Mexico keeps rolling at National IPA Championship

Lots of little news tidbits demand a roundup, thus, Beer Notes is back! Locals keep rolling at NIPAC Five of the six remaining New Mexico entries advanced to the fourth round of the Brewing News National IPA Challenge. Of course, only five could advance since Bosque’s Scale Tipper and Boxing Bear’s Uppercut were going head…