Back before the pandemic, the brewing scene in Las Cruces was booming. Icebox had opened and was rapidly expanding with multiple taprooms. High Desert was still kicking after 15 years. Spotted Dog had opened on the boundary of Las Cruces and Mesilla. Picacho Peak was open west of the Rio Grande and had an out-of-town…
Tag: craft beer
2026 Balloon Fiesta tourist guide to local craft breweries
The Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta is back in town starting this Saturday and running through the following weekend. This is the biggest annual tourism draw in Albuquerque, and while we realize this means the restaurants will be packed and the roads will be clogged, we recognize the massive economic impact it provides to the metro…
The Week Ahead in Beer: Oktoberfests and fundraisers fill up the weekend
Great googily moogily, this week is way more packed than we could have imagined, and it’s not just due to the Oktoberfes-a-palooza that’s breaking out this weekend. We’ll have all of those events listed below, and you can always check our statewide guide to all the Oktoberfest celebrations. We’re still updating that one as more…
The Week Ahead in Beer: The calm before the fest storm
Warning, it’s kind of a slow week out there. Oh, sure, there’s still some low-key fun to be had at breweries (including some monthly favorites), and plenty of new brews to enjoy, but it still feels like this is the weekend that the craft beer industry takes a deep breath. Why? Because starting next weekend,…
The Week Ahead in Beer: Celebrate Labor Day with some new collaboration brews
Back before he left Thirsty Eye, head brewer John Kofonow told us that his final days would be spent working with other breweries on some new collaborations for all to enjoy. Well, two of those collabs dropped this week, and with a three-day weekend ahead, there is no time like the present to check them…
One of the oldest breweries in New Mexico will close after 16 years
It was just last weekend that the Crew attended a 15th anniversary celebration at a local taproom, a remarkable achievement in this current economic climate for breweries. This coming weekend, however, another brewery will close their doors after 16-plus years serving locals and travelers in Northern New Mexico. Blue Heron Brewing is calling it a…
Sidetrack rides to the top at the first New Mexico Craft Beer Awards
This past Friday, after the annual New Mexico Brewers Guild Technical Conference wrapped up at CNM, the attendees trekked over to nearby Flock of Moons for a special ceremony. For the first time, the Guild organized the New Mexico Craft Beer Awards, giving the local professionals and other certified judges a chance to vote and…
Beer Notes: Alien Brew Pub undergoes a surprise rebranding
Alien Brew Pub is no more. Alien Brew Pub still lives. These contradictory statements are brought to you by, arguably, the most unexpected beer-related local development of the week. The Alien Brew Pub, located next door to Uptown Sports Bar, has ended its affiliation with Sierra Blanca Brewery and will now become a new Santa…
The Week Ahead in Beer: Making the most of a Monday at Steel Bender
Most charity events at breweries fall during the weekend, but every now and again something unique might pop up a day after or a day before. The former will be the case at Steel Bender this Monday as they host Closest to the Pint. This little charitable competition will feature an on-site golf simulator, where…
The Week Ahead in Beer: Lagerpalooza rocks us like a hurricane
They’re here! Yes, it’s still summer and too hot and all that, but the German lagers are here, and they’re spectacular. We have already been blessed with Oktoberfiesta at Steel Bender, Oktoberfest at Santa Fe (in my opinion, their best batch in quite some time), Herr Fest at Turtle Mountain, Marblefest at Marble, and Flocktoberfest…
