Most of us are aware of, yet personally unaffected by, the current partial shutdown of the federal government. Leaving the politics aside, it has nonetheless made things difficult on both federal employees and those businesses and people who rely on certain federal agencies. It did not occur to any of us in the Crew how…
Tag: Enchanted Circle Brewing
Oktoberfest: Welcome to the mountains of Red River
In mid-October, in the mountains of northern New Mexico, a certain familiar sound can be heard through the little valley of Red River. It’s not the rustling of the wind through glimmering gold, fresh-changed aspens, nor the honking of the horns of people-packed caravans. It’s the chorus of clinking glasses and the raising of toasts….
Autumn has arrived at the Northern New Mexico breweries
Fall was suddenly and dramatically in the air recently as Dave and I trekked up north to visit some breweries we have been trying to visit for some time. We welcomed the cooler air and monsoonal rains as we made our way around arguably the most beautiful area of the state. Our plan was overly…
Random thoughts on the 10th annual Hopfest
Yeah, this story should have run Monday, but Sunday featured soccer in the morning, work in the afternoon, and Isotopes coverage in the evening. Anyway, just figured the Crew could share a few of our thoughts on the latest edition of Hopfest, which was held back on Saturday at Isleta Casino. Wherefore art thou, 377?…
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…
Preliminary round of IPA Challenge produces some surprising results
And we are off! The preliminary round of the 2016 New Mexico IPA Challenge is complete, with 16 15 breweries advancing to the three main rounds that will begin next weekend at Santa Fe Brewing. This came out of the 28 beers that were sampled in a blind taste test Saturday afternoon at Rio Bravo….
NM IPA Challenge returns with a slightly adjusted opening-round format
The announcement went out on Tuesday, and hopheads across the state rejoiced, for the New Mexico IPA Challenge is returning to the land. Now 28 breweries will do battle, as all seek to remove the three-time king, John Bullard, from his iron throne. OK, fine, it is a bit of Game of Thrones there, but…
Enchanted Circle Brewing rolls toward their grand opening this month
The best laid plans rarely go according to, um, plan. That can be true just about anywhere, but it can often happen to new breweries as they work toward opening. Thankfully for the folks up at Enchanted Circle Brewing in Angel Fire, they managed to overcome one major hurdle with the help of not one…
Beer Notes: The we-swear-we-are-not-dead edition
We are still alive, still chasing down beer news. Due to various factors in life, none of it was ready for publication today, but next week is gonna be busy. Catching up on the canning lines In case anyone missed their Facebook post, the gang over at Canteen has begun canning Dougie Style Amber and…
DARK SIDE BREW CREW 