A Saturday drive up I-25 to Bernalillo went a little quicker than anticipated, so I arrived a bit early at Kaktus Brewing for a rare weekend interview for our Look Back/Look Ahead Series. While owner Dana Koller was busy getting things set up for the eventual on-rush of customers coming to see the jazz band…
Tag: Kaktus Brewing
Small brewer license renewals come with a surprise for some this year
Back in 2019, Senate Bill 413 was passed, which had a potentially profound effect on breweries throughout New Mexico. One of its key provisions was a new requirement for every brewery to produce a minimum of 50 barrels per year, or at least have its own beers account for 50 percent of total alcohol sales….
Kaktus Brewing overcomes numerous obstacles to post its best year to date
There has always been a general sense of optimism that permeates just about every aspect of Kaktus Brewing in Bernalillo. Even amidst all the challenges of 2021, the staff there was still happy to report it was a positive year, as we learned in our latest Look Back/Look Ahead Series entry. I sat down with…
This guide to brewery Halloween happenings filled up awfully fast
Anytime Halloween falls on a weekend, and the world is not in full COVID restrictions mode, one can expect breweries to jump on board with a whole slew of parties, costume contests, and more. Well, Halloween is this Sunday, so the weekend is as chock-full as one would expect. Here is just about every Halloween-themed…
Kaktus brings beer back to the outdoors with Farm House Ale Event in Bernalillo
Due to the lingering Covid-19 restrictions throughout New Mexico, we did not expect to see any outdoor festivals this summer. Oh, not so fast, Brew Crew, because Kaktus Brewing has gone ahead and organized the first event since the fall of 2019, and it is going down this weekend in Bernalillo. The Farm House Ale…
The Week Ahead in Beer: Live music returns, a festival is planned and life is peachy at Steel Bender
Greetings, New Mexico craft beer lovers. Stoutmeister here with The Week Ahead in Beer. This column covers all the breweries in Bernalillo and Sandoval counties, with Santa Fe’s eight breweries, one in Los Alamos, one in Moriarty, one in Red River, one in Silver City, and one in Truth or Consequences also joining the party….
Breweries in Burque suburbs react to newly passed liquor laws
A few weeks ago, readers asked us if the breweries were going to comment publicly on House Bill 255, which included alcohol delivery and other changes to some long-standing liquor laws in New Mexico. The breweries declined comment at the time, and the New Mexico Brewers Guild later sent out an email asking them not…
Kaktus Brewing announces plans to reopen this week
One year ago, when COVID-19 first threatened to become a full blown pandemic in the U.S., breweries throughout New Mexico took various approaches as to how they would handle the newly mandated restrictions. After much reflection, choices were made on the next steps that would be best for the business, and for the community. For…
Beer Notes: Broken Trail and Kaktus plan on returning this Friday
The number of breweries that have temporarily closed during this pandemic, eschewing the takeout-only model, is continuing to dwindle in the Albuquerque metro area. We have news on some planned reopenings, expanded hours, and more that just cried out for a Beer Notes. Broken Trail ready to return to action After shutting down its offsite…
Breweries offering promotions throughout the state during the pandemic
In these uncertain times, one thing is certain: we are still thirsty. For social interaction, for a sense of community, and of course, for beer. Even in their darkest hour, many of the local breweries are responding by offering various promotions to help us, the consumers, get the libations we require while on a limited…
DARK SIDE BREW CREW 