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…
Tag: Rio Grande/Sierra Blanca Brewing
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….
Beer Notes: Happy 20th anniversary to Sierra Blanca
Sierra Blanca Brewing is celebrating their 20th anniversary this Saturday with a big party at the brewery in Moriarty. From 2 to 9 p.m., the beer garden will be hopping (pun intended) with live music, food trucks, a kids zone, and more. There is a $5 cover, but kids 12 and under get in for…
Alien Brew Pub expands their (beer) universe
This week, I had the pleasure of briefly speaking with Ben Couger and John Gonzales at Alien Brew Pub to get an update on their small batch program. I am really glad I stopped by, because there is exciting news. John tells me that ABP will be starting a Firkin Friday (hopefully beginning next week,…
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…
ABQ Beer Week Recaps: Beer Premier brings in sophisticated crowd
Friday night’s New Mexico Brewers Guild Beer Premier and Matanza was a unique event and it was my first time attending this festival. It turned out to be my favorite event of Beer Week. As is the case with any event, there were some bumps in the road, but overall it was fantastic. All the…
NM Brewers Guild Beer Premier will be one of top events of ABQ Beer Week
The time has come to get out there and support the NM Brewers Guild. The fun part is supporting means drinking new and unique beers. The Beer Premier is back for a third time, kicking off Friday at 5 p.m. at the National Hispanic Cultural Center. Tickets cost $35, for which you get unlimited samples…
ABQ Beer Week 2016: Crushed under the weight of Day Eight
Welcome to the single biggest day of Beer Week. Don’t believe us? Scroll below. Yeah, that’s 23 events. Twenty. Three. Now more than ever, you need a plan of attack. Go by time. Go by geographic location. Go by whatever you can do safely (if driving, or even Ubering). Just remember to carve out some…
Blues & Brews set for another blast of beer sensory overload
The biggest of the big is back at Sandia Casino this weekend as Blues & Brews returns for its sixth annual beer-a-palooza. This Sunday from 3 to 6 p.m. (2 to 6 for VIP ticket holders), attendees will be able to choose beers from 70 different breweries, a mix of local, national, and international. As…
Breaking down the beers at Blazin’ Brewfest
The unofficial kickoff to festival season is upon us once again as Blazin’ Brewfest returns to downtown Las Cruces on Saturday. This annual event, put on by the NM Brewers Guild, is definitely the biggest and most important festival for craft beer lovers in Southern New Mexico and surrounding areas. The festival runs from 5…
