Beer Notes: Resurrections, closures, brewers-on-the-move and more

The news items are piling up around here, so let us start the week with what is going on around the New Mexico craft brewing scene. We’re not dead yet After we published our story about Eske’s Brew Pub and Eatery meeting an untimely demise after 27 years, we were eventually contacted by Mark Hoffman,…

A sad farewell to the 2nd oldest brewery in New Mexico

A few months ago, we learned that something was up with Eske’s Brew Pub and Eatery in Taos. Its small brewer license was no longer listed with the State of New Mexico, and Google listed it as temporarily closed. There was no mention of the goings on in the local newspaper, and others in the…

Ten local breweries set for annual Taos Brewmasters Festival

The Taos Brewmasters Festival returns for its 22nd edition this Saturday from 4:30 to 7 p.m. As in the past, it will be held at the base of Lift #1 at the Taos Ski Area, inside Tenderfoot Katie’s and the Martini Tree Bar. This year’s event will feature 10 New Mexico breweries and a long…

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…

Time to trek to Taos for annual Brew Master’s Festival

Ah, yes, it’s that time of year when I have to cover a football game and not go to the Taos Brew Master’s Festival. Of course, the rest of you don’t have to write about the New Mexico Bowl to pay for future beers, so you might as well hit the road Saturday afternoon and…

The Week Ahead in Beer State Edition: Grand finale

Greetings, New Mexico craft beer lovers. Stoutmeister here with the second half of the now-divided Week Ahead in Beer. This edition covers all the breweries outside of Bernalillo and Sandoval Counties. From Taos to Santa Fe to Farmington to Las Vegas in the north, to Portales, Artesia, Silver City, and Las Cruces in the south,…

The Week Ahead in Beer State Edition: End of the line?

Greetings, New Mexico craft beer lovers. Stoutmeister here with the second half of the now-divided Week Ahead in Beer. This edition covers all the breweries outside of Bernalillo and Sandoval Counties. From Taos to Santa Fe to Farmington to Las Vegas in the north, to Portales, Artesia, Silver City, and Las Cruces in the south,…

The San Juan Brewfest had something for everyone

The 16th annual San Juan Brewfest took place on Saturday, August 23, in beautiful downtown Durango. Benefiting the United Way of SW Colorado, the brewfest had a great turnout, despite the rain that threatened to dampen the mood. Held at Buckley Park near the northern tip of Main Street, there couldn’t be an easier event…

The Week Ahead in Beer State Edition: Laboring for good brews

Greetings, New Mexico craft beer lovers. Stoutmeister here with the second half of the now-divided Week Ahead in Beer. This edition covers all the breweries outside of Bernalillo and Sandoval Counties. From Taos to Santa Fe to Farmington to Las Vegas in the north, to Portales, Artesia, Silver City, and Las Cruces in the south,…