Posts Tagged ‘Ponderosa Brewing’

ABQ Beer Week: A fond farewell with Day Eleven

Posted: June 4, 2017 by cjax33 in ABQ Beer Week 2017
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Day Eleven is here, putting a bow on another successful Beer Week!

That’s a wrap, folks!

ABQ Beer Week 2017 ends with a small handful of events, including the annual Guild golf tournament, plus a few brunches and food-and-beer pairings.

We wanted to thank everyone who made it out to one or more events this year. It all came together fairly smoothly, at least from our perspective. We enjoyed some amazing beer and food and, most importantly, had fun.

Until 2018, the Crew will be winding back down to normal.

Featured Event

Every day we will pick what we consider the biggest, most interesting, most unique event. This does not mean you should go to only this event and ignore the rest. All of them deserve your attention, but realistically, you can probably only attend a few. So we will make our daily pick, and you can either jump on it, or declare the Crew is foolish (we kinda are) and pick your own.

What: Joe S. Sausage Super Sunday Sampler. Where: Marble Downtown. When: 2-6 p.m. Cost: $25.

Details: The annual closing event of Beer Week at Marble features Joe and his amazing sausages, each of which will be paired with different beers. There will also be live music from the Naughty Sweethearts at 2 and Dusty Green Bones at 3:30.

Why you should go: Go ahead, be a glutton one last time and stuff your face, all while listening to local music.

 

All the other great events

 

 

What: 9th Annual NM Brewers Guild Golf Tournament. Where: Santa Ana Golf Club. When: 7 a.m.-1 p.m. Cost: $110 per person. Details: Support the Guild and head out to the course! Your fee gets you free range balls, a golf cart, a breakfast burrito, a full round with beer on the course, lunch, and a chance to win swag from the Guild for the first-, second-, and third-place finishers. Warm ups start at 7, shotgun start at 8. Why you should go: By the time you’re reading this, you either went or are at home reading this.

What: NM True Fest. Where: Rio Bravo. When: 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Cost: No cover charge. Details: The spacious outdoor patio at Rio Bravo will be home to NM True-certified local vendors. There will be live music and food trucks parked outside as well. Why you should go: Support local crafts, local beer, local food, and local music all in one place!

What: Goose Island Sisters Brunch. Where: Nob Hill Bar & Grill. When: 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Cost: TBA. Details: Enjoy another great brunch at NHBG, again featuring the Sisters Series beers, Lolita, Sofie, and Matilda. Why you should go: Beer and food and bid this week farewell.

What: End of Beer Week Brunch with Upslope. Where: M’tucci’s Italian. When: 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Cost: TBA. Details: There weren’t any details available, but if we get them, we’ll update this entry. Why you should go: It’s M’tucci’s and Upslope, it’s not like you can really go wrong.

What: Beer and Tapas Pairing. Where: Ponderosa. When: 4-7 p.m. Cost: $7 per pairing. Details: A different beer and tapas pairing will be available each day. Why you should go: You need some food in your belly to go with all this beer, and this is the last time you can get it.

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Got any questions, comments, complaints, send them to nmdarksidebrewcrew@gmail.com, or leave them here on our site, on Facebook, or on Twitter (@nmdarksidebc).

Enjoy yourselves out there, but please, do it responsibly.

Cheers!

— Stoutmeister

ABQ Beer Week: Nearing a grand end on Day Ten

Posted: June 3, 2017 by cjax33 in ABQ Beer Week 2017
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Day Ten pushes us closer to the end. (sniff)

The end is almost here. It’s OK to be a little melancholy about Beer Week being almost over.

After all, you will only have our 30-plus amazing local breweries to keep you happy through the rest of the summer.

Oh, darn.

Anyway, all sarcasm aside, there are a lot of varied events today, with plenty of beer-and-food offerings, special releases, and the ultimate ode to cider.

Featured Event

Every day we will pick what we consider the biggest, most interesting, most unique event. This does not mean you should go to only this event and ignore the rest. All of them deserve your attention, but realistically, you can probably only attend a few. So we will make our daily pick, and you can either jump on it, or declare the Crew is foolish (we kinda are) and pick your own.

What: Great Divide Special Tapping. Where: Nob Hill Bar & Grill. When: 5 p.m. to close. Cost: No cover charge.

Details: Join the Crew and other lovers of the dark side of beer for the tappings of two beers never before served in New Mexico. We shall indulge in Barrel-Aged Chocolate Yeti and She Said, I Brew, a barrel-aged Russian Imperial Stout. Great Divide is one of our favorite Colorado breweries, or just breweries period, and these should be two amazing examples of just why we believe that.

Why you should go: Tell summer to go to hell and let your mind travel back to the dead of winter, to the olden days of the Norsemen with Amon Amarth as your soundtrack!

All the other great events

What: Yappy Hour with Watermelon Mountain Ranch. Where: Cazuela’s. When: 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Cost: No cover charge. Details: Head to the Cazuela’s patio for a special fundraiser and adoption event for WMR. Why you should go: Get a beer, get a bite to eat, go home with a new best friend.

What: Special Release of Mangose. Where: Quarter Celtic. When: 11 a.m. to close. Cost: No cover charge. Details: QC releases their new mango gose, which debuted during Blues & Brews, to the general public. Why you should go: Admit it, you’re curious as to just how a mango and gose go together.

What: Ladies Loving Beer Luncheon. Where: Marble Westside. When: 12-2 p.m. Cost: $30 per person. Details: Join the women of Marble for an interactive discussion about beer while enjoying a special four-course meal from Ohana Hut. There will be goody bags and a special surprise announcement at the end of the event. Why you should go: Women invented beer, so they definitely deserve their own event.

What: Food Truck Battle. Where: Red Door. When: 12-4 p.m. Cost: TBA. Details: A slew of food trucks will be parked at the Candelaria location, offering up their finest dishes for you to judge. A winner will be crowned at the end. Why you should go: We don’t have a list of the attending trucks, but we’re guessing it will be many of the local heavyweights.

What: Beer and Tapas Pairing. Where: Ponderosa. When: 4-7 p.m. Cost: $7 per pairing. Details: A different beer and tapas pairing will be available each day. Why you should go: You need some food in your belly to go with all this beer.

What: Sierra Nevada and Girl Scout Cookie Pairing. Where: O’Niell’s Heights. When: 4-6 p.m. Cost: No cover charge. Details: Flights of Sierra Nevada beers are paired with Girl Scout Cookies. Need we say more? Why you should go: Cookies and beer!

What: Cider Day Night Fever. Where: Tractor Nob Hill. When: 5-10 p.m. Cost: No cover charge. Details: DJ Wae Fonkey will provide the disco tunes, you wear the costume and bring your love of ciders. There will be five Tractor ciders, two each from Red Door, Santa Fe Cider Works, The Craft Room, NM Hard Cider, and Palmer Brewery & Cider House, and one from Skarsgard Farms. That’s 16 if math is not your strong suit. Why you should go: If you love ciders and don’t go, well, then there’s no hope for you.

What: Jodie Herrera Art Opening, Glass and Beer Release. Where: Tractor Wells Park. When: 7-10 p.m. Cost: No cover charge. Details: Artist Jodie Herrera designed a special glass for the Berry Cider, plus her art will be on the walls and the Blank Tapes will provide the music starting at 8 p.m. Why you should go: Celebrate a local artist and local band with local brews and ciders.

What: Upslope Beer Dinner. Where: M’tucci’s Market and Deli. When: 7-10 p.m. Cost: $55 per person. Details: Feast upon an epic five-course meal paired with Upslope beers. The dessert is paired with the barrel-aged imperial stout with coffee, which is reason enough to go. Why you should go: Five dishes upon which to feast, five beers to wash them down. Victory is yours!

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Got any questions, comments, complaints, send them to nmdarksidebrewcrew@gmail.com, or leave them here on our site, on Facebook, or on Twitter (@nmdarksidebc).

Enjoy yourselves out there, but please, do it responsibly.

Cheers!

— Stoutmeister

ABQ Beer Week: The Tower of Sour looks fine on Day Nine

Posted: June 2, 2017 by cjax33 in ABQ Beer Week 2017
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Day Nine calls upon everyone to pucker up once again!

The final stretch of Beer Week begins with a number of varied events tonight.

Topping the list is the fourth annual Tower of Sour at Back Alley Draft House, which is going to be bigger and more festive than ever before.

There will also be special events at both Tractor locations, a special tapping at Nob Hill Bar & Grill, and fun and games with Upslope at Rock & Brews.

Happy weekend, everyone!

Featured Event

Every day we will pick what we consider the biggest, most interesting, most unique event. This does not mean you should go to only this event and ignore the rest. All of them deserve your attention, but realistically, you can probably only attend a few. So we will make our daily pick, and you can either jump on it, or declare the Crew is foolish (we kinda are) and pick your own.

What: Tower of Sour. Where: Back Alley Draft House. When: 6 p.m. Cost: $10 for entry (music only, no beer); $20 economy ticket; $40 general admission; $50 VIP.

Details: The fourth Tower of Sour will expand from BADH out into the parking lot. There will 14 breweries represented, including Marble and Sierra Blanca, offering up 30-plus sours from around the world. The Real Matt Jones and Vanilla Pop will provide the music. The economy ticket gets you six samples and one 10-ounce pour, plus entry into the New Belgium bike giveaway. The general admission ticket covers unlimited sampling and a special souvenir. The VIP ticket gets you early entry at 5 p.m., which is the Ska Brewing VIP Party, with appetizers and giveaways, plus unlimited sampling.

Why you should go: If you love sours, you pretty much have to go to this one.

All the other great events

What: Beer and Tapas Pairing. Where: Ponderosa. When: 4-7 p.m. Cost: $7 per pairing. Details: A different beer and tapas pairing will be available each day. Why you should go: You need some food in your belly to go with all this beer.

What: Sierra Nevada Special Tapping. Where: Gecko’s Nob Hill. When: 4-6 p.m. Cost: No cover charge. Details: The Golden IPA from the current Beer Camp mixed pack (available at Jubilation) will be tapped. Why you should go: Odds are you have not had this before, so get on over there and get it with a bite to eat!

What: La Cumbre Sampling. Where: Whole Foods Academy. When: 4-5 p.m. Cost: No cover charge. Details: Taste the full LC packaged lineup. Why you should go: Free beer!

What: Goose Island Sampling. Where: Total Wine Uptown. When: 4-7 p.m. Cost: No cover charge. Details: Taste the full GI packaged lineup. Why you should go: Free beer!

What: Upslope Rochambeau Tournament and Pint Night. Where: Rock & Brews. When: 5-9 p.m. Cost: No cover charge. Details: Compete with the best in rock-paper-scissors. Entry is free, and the top five finishers will be awarded prizes. Plus, of course, lots of Upslope beers will be on tap. Why you should go: We all need a spot of silliness in our lives, but with beer, it’s even better.

What: Oskar Blues Secret Stash Event. Where: Nob Hill Bar & Grill. When: 5 p.m. to close. Cost: No cover charge. Details: Oskar Blues brewed up a special beer with the NHBG staff and now you get to enjoy it. Why you should go: Satisfy your (and ours) curiosity and see just what they created.

What: Sierra Nevada Special Tapping. Where: Gecko’s Academy. When: 6 p.m. to close. Cost: No cover charge. Details: The Golden IPA from the current Beer Camp mixed pack (available at Jubilation) will be tapped. Why you should go: Odds are you have not had this before, so get on over there and get it with a bite to eat!

What: Art Fight 32 – Beer Week Edition. Where: Tractor Wells Park. When: 7-10:30 p.m. Cost: No cover charge. Details: There will be live art, all with the theme of beer itself, while you watch and enjoy beer. Why you should go: Beer is art, beer is life, beer is good.

What: Night Out Cards Pub Crawl Edition. Where: Tractor Nob Hill. When: 7 p.m.-midnight. Cost: $20 for card deck and two wristbands, additional wristbands are $5. Details: Night Out Cards are basically like truth or dare with a drinking theme, so enjoy them at the taproom as you put your team together and compete for prizes. You also get $1 off all pints. Why you should go: Discounted beer, prizes, and shenanigans. Seems like a good way to spend Friday night.

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Got any questions, comments, complaints, send them to nmdarksidebrewcrew@gmail.com, or leave them here on our site, on Facebook, or on Twitter (@nmdarksidebc).

Enjoy yourselves out there, but please, do it responsibly.

Cheers!

— Stoutmeister

ABQ Beer Week: The battle to be great dominates Day Eight

Posted: June 1, 2017 by cjax33 in ABQ Beer Week 2017
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Day Eight features the local beer geeks taking center stage with their own brews.

Four years ago, the Dark Side Brew Crew stunned everyone (mostly ourselves) by winning the inaugural Battle of the Beer Geeks at Tractor Wells Park.

Then, the Babes in Brewland kicked our butts two years in a row.

Well, the time has come … for all of you to probably vote for them again. But, just in case, we are unveiling another monster beer that we hope can lead to another upset. All that and more in Day Eight of Beer Week!

Featured Event

Every day we will pick what we consider the biggest, most interesting, most unique event. This does not mean you should go to only this event and ignore the rest. All of them deserve your attention, but realistically, you can probably only attend a few. So we will make our daily pick, and you can either jump on it, or declare the Crew is foolish (we kinda are) and pick your own.

What: Battle of the Beer Geeks IV. Where: Tractor Wells Park. When: 6-8 p.m. Cost: $10 for tray of all five beers and a pint of your favorite.

Details: For the fourth time, all the local beer appreciation groups have brewed up something special at Tractor. Now it’s time for the public to decide who made the best. Come on down and vote for your favorite from the offerings made by the ABQ Craft Beer Drinkers, The Wort Hogs, Dukes of Ale, the two-time defending champion Babes in Brewland, and of course the 2014 champion Dark Side Brew Crew. This year had a theme of wheat beers, but naturally we each got to put our own spin on that.

Why you should go: Support the local amateurs and Tractor at the same time. Have a bit of fun, listen to all the (mostly friendly) smack talk, and see who takes home the Rock-Em-Sock-Em Robots trophy!

All the other great events

What: Marble Special Release Keg Tapping. Where: Sandia Saloon. When: 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Cost: No cover charge. Details: The Guava Gose is the special beer of choice that will be served at the pub inside Whole Foods Academy. Why you should go: Another new Marble beer? Yup. Guess everyone has to try it (the Crew got a sneak peek on Tuesday).

What: Beer & Food Pairing. Where: Canteen Taproom on Tramway. When: 3-10 p.m. Cost: TBA. Details: There’s no info available, but we’re guessing they’re going to pair up their delicious food items with specific beers. Why you should go: Learn how you’ve probably been missing some amazing combos all this time.

What: Beer and Tapas Pairing. Where: Ponderosa. When: 4-7 p.m. Cost: $7 per pairing. Details: A different beer and tapas pairing will be available each day. Why you should go: You need some food in your belly to go with all this beer.

What: Odell Sampling and Giveaways. Where: Whole Foods Carlisle. When: 4-6 p.m. Cost: No cover charge. Details: Taste the Odell packaged lineup and maybe get some free stuff. Why you should go: Free beer!

What: Cascade Brewing Special Tapping. Where: Nob Hill Bar & Grill. When: 5-9 p.m. Cost: No cover charge. Details: Enjoy some true sours from the Pacific Northwest, including rare tappings of 2013 Sang Royal and the limited Elderberry. Why you should go: If you dig on sours, these are two of the finest made anywhere in the country.

What: Odell Tap Takeover. Where: Grain Station. When: 6-8 p.m. Cost: No cover charge. Details: Look for 90 Shilling, IPA, Cutthroat Porter, and St. Lupulin Extra Pale Ale. There will also be special giveaways. Why you should go: Enjoy some delicious beers, maybe pick up some swag, and grab a bite to eat.

What: Marble Beer Dinner. Where: Bien Shur at Sandia Resort & Casino. When: 6 p.m. Cost: $65 per person. Details: Join Marble at Bien Shur for an epic five-course meal paired with different beers. The welcome reception pairs a blue lump crab tater tot with avocado aioli with Pilsner. The first course of the main dinner features a blue cheese and baby heirloom beet salad with Brett IPA. The second course is a grilled lemon parsley rubbed escolar with White Out. The main course features wild boar loin paired with Bacon’s Best Friend. The finale duo consists of a meyer lemon semifreddo and summer berry tart paired with Blackberry Gose. Why you should go: Go ahead, be decadent, we won’t judge. We’ll just be jealous.

What: La Cumbre Special Tapping. Where: Gecko’s Nob Hill. When: 6:30-8:30 p.m. Cost: No cover charge. Details: One TBA beer will actually be on tap when Gecko’s opens at 11 a.m., but at 6:30 a LC representative will be on hand to talk about it, and the Passionfruit Wit will also be available (it sold out fast at the Sister Tap Takeover last week). Why you should go: Increase your beer knowledge, like we do every time we talk with someone from La Cumbre.

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Got any questions, comments, complaints, send them to nmdarksidebrewcrew@gmail.com, or leave them here on our site, on Facebook, or on Twitter (@nmdarksidebc).

Enjoy yourselves out there, but please, do it responsibly.

Cheers!

— Stoutmeister

ABQ Beer Week: Find your slice of heaven on Day Seven

Posted: May 31, 2017 by cjax33 in ABQ Beer Week 2017
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Day Seven features real ale, more tappings, more tastings, more food, more fun.

We are past the halfway point of Beer Week, but it is hardly time to slow down.

Today’s events are mostly of the special tapping/sampling/tap takeover variety, scattered all over town. There will also be a mini cask festival at Quarter Celtic, a beer-and-food-and-wine pairing at Tractor Wells Park, and an early 90s party with Upslope at The Grain Station.

Oh, yeah, and there’s a hockey game on TV tonight you might want to check out.

Featured Event

Every day we will pick what we consider the biggest, most interesting, most unique event. This does not mean you should go to only this event and ignore the rest. All of them deserve your attention, but realistically, you can probably only attend a few. So we will make our daily pick, and you can either jump on it, or declare the Crew is foolish (we kinda are) and pick your own.

What: Mini Cask Beer Festival. Where: Quarter Celtic Brewpub. When: 5-10 p.m. Cost: $5 for sample flight.

Details: QC will have four casks out on the patio featring Rye’t Side of Dublin dry-hopped with Nelson Sauvin, Kill or be KILT, Vanilla Cream Quarter Porter, and Chocolate Hefeweizen. You can get a sample flight of all four, or a pint of your favorite (13-ounce pours for KILT). Grab some dinner and enjoy your evening in proper pub style! Plus, hockey will be on at least one TV, which is where you will find Franz Solo and I.

Why you should go: Besides getting the chance to watch yours truly endure Game 2 of the Stanley Cup Finals (reportedly I am quite entertaining to watch during games, or so say the QC staff), this one is all about some delicious beers in a wonderful setting.

All the other great events

What: Marble Special Keg Tapping. Where: Rock & Brews. When: 11 a.m. to close. Cost: No cover charge. Details: The Idaho 7 Pale Ale is the beer of choice that shall be tapped. Why you should go: Be among the first in town to try this new beer made with a special new hop.

What: Abita Special Tapping. Where: Gecko’s Nob Hill. When: 11 a.m. to close. Cost: No cover charge. Details: We are working on finding out what beer this will be … it’s the Strawberry Lager! Why you should go: A little sweet, fruity goodness to start your day.

What: Marble Brett IPA Tap and Bottle Release. Where: Marble (all locations). When: Noon to close. Cost: No cover charge. Details: The hoppy, funky classic is back. Order a pint or take it home or, heck, do both. Why you should go: If you are a fan of IPAs with a Belgian twist, this one is hard to beat.

What: Firestone Walker Sampling and Giveaway. Where: Jubilation. When: 4-6 p.m. Cost: No cover charge. Details: The final sampling of ABW at Jubilation will feature Firestone’s finest, including Fortem Unfiltered DIPA and Bretta Rose, plus more beers. There will also be a special giveaway of a FW longboard to one lucky person. Why you should go: Free beer and (maybe) free stuff? Sign us up.

What: Odell Sampling and Giveaway. Where: Total Wine Uptown. When: 4-6 p.m. Cost: No cover charge. Details: Taste the entire Odell packaged lineup and potentially walk away with some additional goodies. Why you should go: Free beer!

What: Woodchuck Cider Sampling. Where: Total Wine Uptown. When: 4-6 p.m. Cost: No cover charge. Details: Enjoy the entire Woodchuck packaged lineup. Why you should go: Free cider!

What: Odell Tap Takeover. Where: Freight House. When: 4-8 p.m. Cost: No cover charge. Details: Odell will bring old favorites 90 Shilling and IPA plus newcomers Drumroll APA and Brazzle. Why you should go: Grab a bite to eat and a pint if you’re up in the Bernalillo vicinity.

What: Beer and Tapas Pairing. Where: Ponderosa. When: 4-7 p.m. Cost: $7 per pairing. Details: A different beer and tapas pairing will be available each day. Why you should go: You need some food in your belly to go with all this beer.

What: Early 90’s Night with Upslope. Where: The Grain Station. When: 5-9 p.m. Cost: No cover charge. Details: Go retro with live DJs spinning classic tunes from 20-plus years ago, with a costume contest with prizes for the top three, and of course lots of Upslope beers. Why you should go: We can only imagine the costumes that some of you can dig up.

What: Beer and Food Truck Pairing. Where: Drafty Kilt. When: 5-9 p.m. Cost: No cover charge. Details: Illusion Food Truck will be creating some specialty dishes that pair up with the different Drafty Kilt beers. Why you should go: When the food is made specifically to go with the beer, that’s a win-win.

What: Founders Tapping. Where: The Barley Room. When: 6-9 p.m. Cost: No cover charge. Details: Choose from a lineup of PC Pils, All Day IPA, and Imperial Stout in the far Northeast Heights. Why you should go: Grab a bite to eat, watch some hockey, and enjoy three very different but wonderful beers.

What: Beer, Wine & Food Pairings with Gruet Winery and Cheese & Coffee. Where: Tractor Wells Park. When: 7-11 p.m. Cost: No cover charge. Details: Choose from five different food dishes, each paired with a different Tractor beer and a different Gruet wine. See how the food fits with both alcoholic beverages. You can pick and choose or order all of them. Why you should go: Feast like a king or queen.

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Got any questions, comments, complaints, send them to nmdarksidebrewcrew@gmail.com, or leave them here on our site, on Facebook, or on Twitter (@nmdarksidebc).

Enjoy yourselves out there, but please, do it responsibly.

Cheers!

— Stoutmeister

ABQ Beer Week: Let your mind thrive on Day Five

Posted: May 29, 2017 by cjax33 in ABQ Beer Week 2017
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Day Five is the ultimate take-it-easy day for your body, but we will still challenge your mind.

As this is Memorial Day, it is also the lightest day in terms of events.

Take a moment to reflect, take a moment to relax, take a moment with family and/or friends, and when that is all over, come join the Crew. No, really, keep reading.

Featured Event

Every day we will pick what we consider the biggest, most interesting, most unique event. This does not mean you should go to only this event and ignore the rest. All of them deserve your attention, but realistically, you can probably only attend a few. So we will make our daily pick, and you can either jump on it, or declare the Crew is foolish (we kinda are) and pick your own.

What: Beer Geeks Trivia. Where: Tractor Nob Hill. When: 7-10 p.m. Cost: No cover charge.

Details: The Crew is hosting this event, and yeah, we wrote almost all the questions. Round One will focus on general knowledge of our local craft beer scene. Round Two will tackle the big boys of the national craft beer scene. Round Three will be a tasting round provided by Tractor. Round Four will dive deep into local beer history (all answers can be found in my book, Albuquerque Beer: Duke City History on Tap, and that in turn takes my shameless plug status to a whole new level). Round Five features a combination of questions from local brewers and about beer and pop culture. Tractor will provide prizes for the top team(s).

Why you should go: There is nothing on TV, there are no games to go to in town, and by the evening you will have had your fill of family. Join us for some shenanigans and see whether we’re actually smart about beer or just smart asses! (Probably a little of both.)

All the other great events

What: Firestone Walker Sampling. Where: Total Wine Uptown. When: 12-2 p.m. Cost: No cover charge. Details: Taste the current lineup of FW packaged beers. Why you should go: Free beer!

What: Firestone Walker Sampling. Where: Total Wine Cottonwood. When: 3-5 p.m. Cost: No cover charge. Details: Taste the current lineup of FW packaged beers. Why you should go: Free beer!

What: Memorial Day Music Festival. Where: Marble Downtown. When: 3-8 p.m. Cost: No cover charge. Details: Enjoy some Marble beers while listening to Alex Maryol, Deltaphonic, Progger, and Sneaky Pete & the Secret Weapons. Why you should go: Dance away the holiday.

What: Beer and Tapas Pairing. Where: Ponderosa. When: 4-7 p.m. Cost: $7 per pairing. Details: A different beer and tapas pairing will be available each day. Why you should go: You need some food in your belly to go with all this beer.

* * * * *

Got any questions, comments, complaints, send them to nmdarksidebrewcrew@gmail.com, or leave them here on our site, on Facebook, or on Twitter (@nmdarksidebc).

Enjoy yourselves out there, but please, do it responsibly.

Cheers!

— Stoutmeister

ABQ Beer Week: Day Four offers up more beyond the big fest

Posted: May 28, 2017 by cjax33 in ABQ Beer Week 2017
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Pregame the big event with several low-key tastings on Day Four.

Yes, it is Blues & Brews day, but there are still some other options for those either not attending or just looking for a little pre-game fun.

We posted the beer lists for Blues & Brews on Saturday, so click that link if you’re curious.

Otherwise, kick back and enjoy! You earned the break.

Featured Event

Every day we will pick what we consider the biggest, most interesting, most unique event. This does not mean you should go to only this event and ignore the rest. All of them deserve your attention, but realistically, you can probably only attend a few. So we will make our daily pick, and you can either jump on it, or declare the Crew is foolish (we kinda are) and pick your own.

What: Quarter Celtic and Dialogue Collaboration Release. Where: Quarter Celtic. When: Noon. Cost: No cover charge.

Details: We do love the collaboration beers, and here comes another one from two of our newer breweries. The beer will be available at QC, plus it will be at the QC booth at Blues & Brews.

Why you should go: Yeah, it’s slim pickings outside the festival, but you need to fuel up on food beforehand, so do that and grab a taste of this new beer as well.

All the other great events

What: Deschutes Tap Takeover. Where: Gecko’s Nob Hill. When: 11 a.m.-11 p.m. Cost: No cover charge. Details: Enjoy many of Oregon’s finest ales all day. Why you should go: Revisit some old friends on tap.

What: Rio Bravo Pints, Planks & Pups. Where: Rio Bravo. When: 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Cost: No cover charge. Details: Stop in for yoga, and maybe leave with a best friend as Animal Humane will have adorable dogs on hand for adoption. Also, $1 from all pints sold between 11 a.m. and 6 p.m. will be donated to Animal Humane. Why you should go: Get some exercise and a pup and a pint.

What: Goose Island Sisters Brunch. Where: Nob Hill Bar & Grill. When: 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Cost: TBA. Details: Chow down on delicious food while enjoying the GI Sour Sisters series of beers. Why you should go: Wake up with beer!

What: Founders Barrel-Aged Beer and Cigar Pairing. Where: Imbibe. When: 12-11 p.m. Cost: No cover charge. Details: Get a pour of KBS 2017 paired up with the cigar of your choice. There will also be a special pint glass giveaway. Why you should go: Barrel-aged stout goodness goes quite well with a fine cigar.

What: Mother Road Sampling and Special Tapping. Where: Whole Foods Academy/Sandia Saloon. When: 12-2 p.m. Cost: No cover charge. Details: Stop by the market for samples of Mother Road’s packaged lineup, plus there will be a special keg tapped at Sandia Saloon with growler fills available until 9 p.m. Why you should go: It’s more than just free beer!

What: Defying Gravity — Cruisin’ for a Brewzin’. Where: Ponderosa. When: 1-4 p.m. Cost: No cover charge. Details: The Defying Gravity Car Club events everyone to join them at Ponderosa for a car show. The daily beer and tapas pairing will also be available during this time. Why you should go: See some awesome automobiles while enjoying a pint and a bite to eat.

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Got any questions, comments, complaints, send them to nmdarksidebrewcrew@gmail.com, or leave them here on our site, on Facebook, or on Twitter (@nmdarksidebc).

Enjoy yourselves out there, but please, do it responsibly.

Cheers!

— Stoutmeister

ABQ Beer Week: The 505 flows free on Day Three

Posted: May 27, 2017 by cjax33 in ABQ Beer Week 2017
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Day Three will show you no mercy, but it will show you plenty of fun.

After Friday’s events, we can understand if some of you want to take it easy today.

Beer Week, though, has no concept of mercy, because it’s gonna be a big one. The 505 Collaboration beer is releasing all over town, O’Niell’s is throwing a Beer Olympics, Santa Fe is having a party, Rio Bravo is having a music festival, the Hash House Harriers are running amok, there’s food pairings everywhere … back on your feet, people!

There is fun to be had.

Featured Event

Every day we will pick what we consider the biggest, most interesting, most unique event. This does not mean you should go to only this event and ignore the rest. All of them deserve your attention, but realistically, you can probably only attend a few. So we will make our daily pick, and you can either jump on it, or declare the Crew is foolish (we kinda are) and pick your own.

What: Beer Olympics. Where: O’Niell’s Juan Tabo. When: 1-5 p.m. Cost: $10 per player.

Details: I stopped by O’Niell’s a while back to ask them about this fun-looking event. Basically it involves teams of four people, each with a special skill to win one of four events. There will be trivia, so take your most knowledgeable beer geek friend. There’s cornhole, and we’re sure you have that one friend who just dominates that game. There’s an obstacle course, which will be similar to bussing tables, so take your friend with the most server experience. Finally, there will be a mini-keg toss, so take your friend who’s either from Scotland or just spends a lot of time at the gym. There will also be beer specials from four Colorado breweries — Boulder Beer, Left Hand, New Belgium, and Oskar Blues.

Why you should go: Sure, you can just sit around and drink beer all day, but why not put your talents to use in a better way? (And still drink beer while doing it.)

All the other great events

What: Candemonium Charcuterie with Upslope. Where: M’tucci’s Italian. When: 11 a.m. Cost: No cover charge. Details: Stop by and get cans of different Upslope beers paired with different charcuterie offerings. This is an all-day event. Why you should go: Fuel up before everything else starts.

What: Odell Special Tapping. Where: Gecko’s (both locations). When: 11 a.m. Cost: No cover charge. Details: St. Lupulin Extra Pale Ale shall be tapped and there will also be pint glass giveaways. Why you should go: Holy hops bless you to start the day.

What: Santa Fe Brewing ABQ Beer Week Bash. Where: Green Jeans Farmery. When: 11 a.m.-11 p.m. Cost: No cover charge. Details: All of Green Jeans will be permitted, so grab your beer and wander about, but the biggest party is on the SFBC rooftop deck where Chef Marie Yniguez of Bocadillos will be overseeing a cookout. There will be live music from Eugene (5-7 p.m.) and Garry Martin Beasley (8-10 p.m.), with lots of special tappings and giveaways. Watermelon Mountain Ranch will also be on hand looking for good homes for rescued pets. Why you should go: Feast, dance, drink, and maybe even find a new best friend.

What: 505 Collaboration Beer Release. Where: Bosque, Boxing Bear, Broken Trail, La Cumbre, Marble, Ponderosa, Quarter Celtic, Red Door, Starr Brothers, Steel Bender, Tractor. When: All day. Cost: No cover charge. Details: The annual release of this Brewers Guild benefit beer is upon us! A team of ABQ brewers got together at Steel Bender last month to create a Golden Strong (8.74% ABV, 25 IBU) that will rock your world. Why you should go: Celebrate collaboration and help raise funds for the Guild.

What: Passing the Torch Festival. Where: Rio Bravo. When: 1-7 p.m. Cost: $12 for adults, $8 for ages 12 and under. Details: The RBBC patio will become a music fest as The Big Spank, Keith Sanchez and the Moon Thieves, Red Light Cameras, and Le Chat Lunatique perform. There will be food trucks, live art, craft vendors, a kids tent, and more. It all benefits the NMARB youth music program. Why you should go: Support local music, both what’s here now and the talent coming up through the pipeline.

What: Pig Roast and Marble Special Tapping. Where: Freight House. When: 1-10 p.m. Cost: $15 per person. Details: Head up to Bernalillo and enjoy a whole pig roast, with Marble providing a special keg of a one-of-a-kind beer. Why you should go: Explore the mystery of the beer and feast.

What: Founders Sampling. Where: Jubilation. When: 2-4 p.m. Cost: No cover charge. Details: Sample a slew of new Founders beers, including Doom, a barrel-aged imperial IPA. There’s also a chance to enter a giveaway for a counter-top grill. Why you should go: Free beer! Free stuff!

What: Hash House Harriers Brewery Run/Walk. Where: Canteen Brewhouse (starting point). When: 2-7 p.m. Cost: No cover charge. Details: Join our friends Matt and Dana (of Babes in Brewland fame) as they lead the HHH team and folks of all running/walking skill levels on a 5-kilometer trek to breweries starting at the Canteen on Aztec. Why you should go: Get some exercise with your beer today, just remember to wear lots of sunscreen.

What: Beer and Tapas Pairing. Where: Ponderosa. When: 4-7 p.m. Cost: $7. Details: A different beer and tapas pairing will be available each day. Why you should go: You need some food in your belly to go with all this beer.

What: Family Style Dinner featuring Upslope. Where: Eclectic Urban Pizzeria and Tap House. When: 7 p.m. Cost: $25 per person. Details: Get a full meal of delicious food paired with Upslope beers. There will be live music by Anna Rudolph. Why you should go: It’s not like you actually want to make dinner tonight, right?

What: Mother Road and Tractor Collaboration tapping with Le Chat Lunatique. Where: Tractor Wells Park. When: 7-11 p.m. Cost: No cover charge. Details: The two breweries made two beers, an Altbier and a Double IPA, and now we all get to enjoy them while grooving along to some gypsy jazz. Why you should go: Great music and new beers to try.

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Got any questions, comments, complaints, send them to nmdarksidebrewcrew@gmail.com, or leave them here on our site, on Facebook, or on Twitter (@nmdarksidebc).

Enjoy yourselves out there, but please, do it responsibly.

Cheers!

— Stoutmeister

ABQ Beer Week: Pucker up for Day Two brews

Posted: May 26, 2017 by cjax33 in ABQ Beer Week 2017
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The sour power hour runs strong across Day Two!

Did you survive? Did you make it through all of it?

No, not Day One of ABQ Beer Week, but the Penguins’ double-overtime victory over Ottawa in Game 7 of the Eastern Conference Finals. Just ask anyone at Quarter Celtic last night, half the Crew almost died several times over.

But, we digress, for it is time to get back to beer while taking a needed emotional break from hockey until Monday. Day Two features fewer events, but there are still some pretty awesome ones, especially if you love sour beers.

Read on, dear, um, readers!

Featured Event

Every day we will pick what we consider the biggest, most interesting, most unique event. This does not mean you should go to only this event and ignore the rest. All of them deserve your attention, but realistically, you can probably only attend a few. So we will make our daily pick, and you can either jump on it, or declare the Crew is foolish (we kinda are) and pick your own.

What: Sour Hour with Rowley Farmhouse Ales and Hops & Dreams: Beer Week Edition. Where: Tractor Wells Park. When: 5 p.m. (beer), 8 p.m. (belly dancers). Cost: No cover charge.

Details: As we covered in our Tractor Beer Week preview, RFA is coming down from Santa Fe with some of their finest sours to pair up with some of Tractor’s best, including Flanders Red Ale, Berliner Weisse, and possibly a newcomer from the barrel room. It’s an awesome opportunity to taste these beers from two breweries, especially for all the folks down here who don’t make it up to Santa Fe often enough. Then, stick around as the spectacularly talented Desert Darlings shimmy up a storm.

Why you should go: Beer and belly dancers are a combination that simply cannot be defeated.

All the other great events

What: Blackberry Hefeweizen Release. Where: Red Door. When: All day. Cost: No cover charge. Details: The annual summer favorite is back at both locations. Why you should go: It’s the perfect lighter (ABV) beer with lots of flavor to start your weekend.

What: Beer and Tapas Pairing. Where: Ponderosa. When: 3-6 p.m. Cost: $7. Details: A different beer and tapas pairing will be available each day. Why you should go: You need some food in your belly to go with all this beer.

What: Mother Road Sampling and Special Keg Tapping. Where: Jubilation. When: 4-6 p.m. Cost: No cover charge. Details: The latest epic tasting at Jubilation features the full lineup of excellent beers from Flagstaff, plus there will be a keg of the Altbier brewed in Arizona in collaboration with Tractor. You can fill your growlers with it, too. Why you should go: Good beer, new beer, take-home beer, all for the win.

What: La Cumbre Sampling. Where: Whole Foods Carlisle. When: 4-6 p.m. Cost: No cover charge. Details: Taste the entire current packaged lineup while getting your grocery shopping done. Why you should go: Free beer!

What: Santa Fe Sampling. Where: Kelly Liquors on Wyoming. When: 4:30-6:30 p.m. Cost: No cover charge. Details: Taste the entire current packaged lineup, buy your favorites, fill your fridge for the weekend. Why you should go: Free beer!

What: Upslope presents Loteria. Where: Monroe’s on Lomas. When: 5-7 p.m. Cost: No cover charge. Details: Play Loteria for prizes and indulge in some great New Mexican food paired with Craft Lager as the Upslope train rolls on. Why you should go: Feast and claim victory over all mortal men and women!

What: La Cumbre Tap Takeover. Where: Sister Bar. When: 5-8 p.m. Cost: No cover charge. Details: There will be seven LC beers on tap including Gracias Por Fumar, Fievre d’Abricot, Ryeot on Bourbon (soooo good), Elevated IPA, Slice of Hefen, and the special Beer Week offering, Passionfruit Wit. Why you should go: Dear lord, that is an amazing lineup. Enough said.

What: Goose Island Bourbon County Stout and Cooper Project #1 Tapping. Where: Nob Hill Bar & Grill. When: 5-11 p.m. Cost: No cover charge. Details: Enjoy pours of BCBS ’15 and ’16, plus a barrel-aged Scotch wee heavy. Why you should go: The power of the darkness compels you to ignore who owns this brewery!

What: New Belgium Rare Beer Alert. Where: Gecko’s (both locations). When: 5:30-7:30 p.m. Cost: No cover charge. Details: A special New Belgium offering will be tapped at both Gecko’s, but we don’t know what it is just yet. Why you should go: Solve the mystery and get something tasty to eat.

What: Sour Beer Flight. Where: Dialogue Brewing. When: 6-10 p.m. Cost: $8 per flight. Details: In a late addition to the events list, Dialogue is selling discounted flights of their entire lineup of sour beers. Why you should go: Pucker up, sour lovers, this is a good day for you.

What: ABQ Trolley The Hopper — Hop-on, Hop-off Brew Cruise. Where: 219 Central NW (starting point). When: 7-11 p.m. Cost: $20 in advance (buy tickets here), $25 day of. Details: The Hopper is back, visiting eight downtown-area breweries every 30 to 45 minutes. All you have to do is hop on, then hop off and enjoy a pint. The participating breweries/taprooms/beer bars are Duel, Red Door, Sidetrack, Back Alley Draft House, Boese Brothers, Marble, Rio Bravo, and Tractor Wells Park. Why you should go: If you want to visit multiple breweries, definitely let someone else do the driving, then just have Uber or Lyft pick you up at the end to take you home.

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Got any questions, comments, complaints, send them to nmdarksidebrewcrew@gmail.com, or leave them here on our site, on Facebook, or on Twitter (@nmdarksidebc).

Enjoy yourselves out there, but please, do it responsibly.

Cheers!

— Stoutmeister

ABQ Beer Week: Day One is loaded with almost too much fun

Posted: May 25, 2017 by cjax33 in ABQ Beer Week 2017
Tags: , , , , , , ,
0

Here we go again. Eleven days of beer goodness starts today!

All right, people, it’s go time!

Make sure you have your Lyft and/or Uber accounts up to date, and then start checking off the events you can’t miss. The Crew will be here for you every day with info on every single event.

We also have separate previews for the events at Ponderosa Brewing, Tractor Brewing, and everything involving Upslope Brewing.

We start off with the most event-packed day of all, including a certain person (me) having his first book signing alongside an excellent beer-and-food pairing from one of our finest breweries.

Featured Event

Every day we will pick what we consider the biggest, most interesting, most unique event. This does not mean you should go to only this event and ignore the rest. All of them deserve your attention, but realistically, you can probably only attend a few. So we will make our daily pick, and you can either jump on it, or declare the Crew is foolish (we kinda are) and pick your own.

What: Albuquerque Beer Book Signing AND La Cumbre Beer and Cheese Pairings. Where: Jubilation Beer Wine and Spirits. When: 4-6 p.m. Cost: No cover charge.

Details: Shameless self promotion time! Yours truly spent last year writing up the history of brewing in Albuquerque, and now Albuquerque Beer: Duke City History on Tap is ready. I will have a limited number of copies available for purchase at Jubilation. But, since you might need greater incentive to come on by, La Cumbre will also be on hand with many of their best beers paired up with all sorts of artisanal cheeses, and that won’t cost you a dime.

Why you should go: Learn all about Albuquerque’s beer history while enjoying some of our city’s best present-day beers.

All the other great events

What: Boxing Bear Special Beer Tapping. Where: Gecko’s Nob Hill. When: 11 a.m. Cost: No cover charge. Details: We are working to find out just what beer(s) will be available. Why you should go: A Boxing Bear beer with your lunch. How can you go wrong?

What: Special Beer Release. Where: Bow & Arrow. When: 3 p.m. Cost: No cover charge. Details: They are releasing a special dry-hopped sour farmhouse ale (name TBA). Why you should go: Pucker up with a new local brew to get the ball rolling!

What: Beer and Tapas Pairing. Where: Ponderosa. When: 3-6 p.m. Cost: $7. Details: A different beer and tapas pairing will be available each day. Why you should go: You need some food in your belly to go with all this beer.

What: Mother Road Sampling. Where: Total Wine Cottonwood. When: 3:30-5:30 p.m. Cost: No cover charge. Details: Sample Mother Road’s packaged lineup. Why you should go: Free beer!

What: Upslope Special Tapping. Where: M’tucci’s Moderno. When: 4-7 p.m. Cost: No cover charge. Details: In addition to happy hour food and beer specials, there will be a specialty keg tapped. Why you should go: Solve the mystery of the mystery beer, and devour awesome M’tucci’s food.

What: Alaskan Sampling. Where: Total Wine Cottonwood. When: 4-6 p.m. Cost: No cover charge. Details: Sample Alaskan’s packaged lineup. Why you should go: Free beer!

What: Alaskan Tap Takeover. Where: Bubba’s 33. When: 4-8 p.m. Cost: No cover charge. Details: Multiple Alaskan beers will be on tap. Why you should go: Burgers and beer.

What: Mother Road Sampling. Where: Total Wine Uptown. When: 4-6 p.m. Cost: No cover charge. Details: Sample Mother Road’s packaged lineup. Why you should go: Free beer!

What: Beer, Coffee, and Chocolate Pairings. Where: Rio Bravo. When: 5-8 p.m. Cost: No cover charge. Details: Rio Bravo will be pairing up its beers with items from NM Pinon Coffee and Chocolate Dude. Why you should go: Get your dessert before dinner.

What: A Cigar, Food and Beer Evening on the Patio. Where: Jinja West. When: 5:30-8:30 p.m. Cost: No cover charge. Details: Jinja is pairing up cigars from Jake and Harley with the special tapping of three Alaskan Brewing beers, Raspberry Wheat, Summer Kolsch, and the awesome Perseverance Russian Imperial Stout. Why you should go: Perseverance alone should get you across the river.

What: La Cumbre Beer Dinner. Where: Torino’s @ Home. When: 6-9 p.m. Cost: $45 per person. Details: A four-course dinner paired with four classic LC beers. Check the Facebook event page for the full menu. Why you should go: Delicious food plus delicious beer.

What: Beer, Cheese, & More. Where: Marble Heights. When: 6-8 p.m. Cost: $25. Details: Five 4-ounce beers will be paired with five 1-ounce portions of different cheeses. There were only 75 tickets available as of Monday afternoon. Get them quick at the taproom. Why you should go: It’s annually one of the best Marble events, and that is saying something.

What: Upslope Tap Takeover. Where: M’tucci’s Italian. When: 6-10 p.m. Cost: No cover charge. Details: They are busting out the rare beers for this event. Why you should go: Rare beers. Need we say more?

What: Big Sipper IPA Can Release. Where: Tractor Wells Park. When: 7-10 p.m. Cost: No cover charge. Details: Tractor will release Big Sipper for the first time in cans, made especially for July’s annual Pork & Brew in Rio Rancho. The Silver String Band will provide the music. Why you should go: You can’t live on big beers alone, so a nice session IPA will help get you through this busy day.

What: Sierra Nevada and Girl Scout Cookie Pairing. Where: O’Niell’s Nob Hill. When: 7-9 p.m. Cost: TBA. Details: Enjoy delicious Sierra Nevada beers and some of the best cookies in the world. Why you should go: Oh, come on, you’ve always wanted to know what the perfect pairing is with the cookies you bought.

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Got any questions, comments, complaints, send them to nmdarksidebrewcrew@gmail.com, or leave them here on our site, on Facebook, or on Twitter (@nmdarksidebc).

Enjoy yourselves out there, but please, do it responsibly.

Cheers!

— Stoutmeister

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