IPA Challenge: The champ is here … no, wait, he’s there!

The 2014 edition of the IPA Challenge is set to kick off Saturday at noon at Second Street Brewery in Santa Fe. It will also kick off with an unusual twist this year. Blue Corn Brewery is the defending champion, yet the defending champion brewer, John Bullard, is now at Bosque Brewing. The trophy stayed…

Beer Premier draws mixed reviews from crowd

The Yards Craft Beer Premier went down Saturday afternoon, but people were still chatting about it throughout the weekend. It is hard to sum up people’s feelings on the event, which were as mixed as the beers themselves. We asked for attendees to weigh in on Facebook and for the most part their general reactions…

New location and format set for Beer Premier

AUTHOR’S NOTE: After originally publishing this story I received an email from Christopher Goblet of the Brewers Guild. He brought up a couple key points that I’ve now added to the story. Perhaps most importantly for everyone, based on people’s responses, is that you can sample the beers before you buy them. Read on for…

Best of the (Summer)Fest: Good beers reigned over Pajarito

Well that was a fun little excursion Saturday afternoon. After years of Isotopes games being scheduled on the same day, I, Stoutmeister, got to travel up to Pajarito Mountain for SummerFest, where there was other stuff going on but it was mostly about the beer. A total of 17 breweries set up shop for the…

It’s time to get festive for summer at Pajarito

Every year after ABQ Beer Week there is a collective sense of exhaustion and fulfillment that causes the Brew Crew to go into semi-hibernation. This year, however, there is no rest for the weary, as every Saturday in June there is a major beer event somewhere in the state. For this Saturday, it’s SummerFest at…

ABQ Beer Week: Battle on, New Mexico, battle on for Day Six

Tuesday should be a fun day as ABQ Beer Week kicks back into full gear. It features two major food-oriented events, plus some additional festivities. Plus, this here Stoutmeister returns from Chicago (albeit later at night). Featured event What: NM vs. CA Rare Beer Night. Where: The Stumbling Steer. When: 4 p.m. to close. Cost:…

ABQ Beer Week: Taking it easy on Day Five

ABQ Beer Week keeps rolling along, but it’s a little slower on Day Five, a.k.a. Memorial Day. This is a holiday for families to honor the military servicemen and women who have protected our country. It’s also a day to try to kick that Blues & Brews hangover from Sunday. Featured event What: La Cumbre…

ABQ Beer Week: Battling beer geeks highlight Day One

ABQ Beer Week 2014 is here at last! Wondering what to do tonight? Here is all the info you will need for Thursday’s opening events. Featured event What: Battle of the Beer Geeks. Where: Tractor Wells Park. When: 6 to 8 p.m. Cost: $7 for five samples and a pint of your favorite. Details: Brandon…

The Week Ahead in Beer: The 505-2014 Collaboration Beer arrives

Greetings New Mexico craft beer lovers, this is E-Rock, back to bring you this installment of The Week Ahead in Beer. This column is hand-crafted to keep you up to date on all of the seasonal beers, news, and events served up at breweries and taprooms in New Mexico. ABQ Beer Week has begun, and…

ABQ Beer Week 2014: All the info you need to know

Greetings, beer lovers! Rejoice, for one of the best weeks of the year is upon us as ABQ Beer Week returns beginning this Thursday. This is pretty much the single busiest week-plus (it’s technically 10 days long) of the year for the Dark Side Brew Crew, but fear not, we are all well-prepared for the…