IPA Challenge 2016: Boxing Bear takes slim lead after one round

More than 160 patrons packed The Bridge at Santa Fe Brewing on Saturday afternoon to cast their votes in the first of the three main rounds of the 2016 NM IPA Challenge. The initial tallies suggest this is going to be a close one, though a lot can change between now and the final votes…

Nob Hill becomes beer epicenter of this weekend and beyond

Oh, Nob Hill. You wonderful little place, except for your lack of parking. Home to three taprooms, several beer bars, and that place with the nice patio. This Saturday, it will also be home to one small-but-awesome event, and one very large event. Then comes Tuesday, with another small-but-awesome. First up, Ballast Point will be…

Beer Notes: Happy 20th anniversary to Sierra Blanca

Sierra Blanca Brewing is celebrating their 20th anniversary this Saturday with a big party at the brewery in Moriarty. From 2 to 9 p.m., the beer garden will be hopping (pun intended) with live music, food trucks, a kids zone, and more. There is a $5 cover, but kids 12 and under get in for…

ABQ Beer Week Recaps: Beer Premier brings in sophisticated crowd

Friday night’s New Mexico Brewers Guild Beer Premier and Matanza was a unique event and it was my first time attending this festival. It turned out to be my favorite event of Beer Week. As is the case with any event, there were some bumps in the road, but overall it was fantastic. All the…

ABQ Beer Week 2016: Rolling a lucky number on Day Seven

While I am out in California this week, I was reminded of two key things. First, traffic here still makes the worst I-25/I-40 messes you’ve ever seen look like nothing. Second, they charge $14 for craft beer at Angels games. For one pour. Not like multiple pints or a pint plus a flight or anything….