Beer Notes: Alien Brew Pub undergoes a surprise rebranding

Alien Brew Pub is no more. Alien Brew Pub still lives. These contradictory statements are brought to you by, arguably, the most unexpected beer-related local development of the week. The Alien Brew Pub, located next door to Uptown Sports Bar, has ended its affiliation with Sierra Blanca Brewery and will now become a new Santa…

Santa Fe Brewing expands south with new Las Cruces taproom

Santa Fe Brewing Company has always had a solid presence in the southern New Mexico market, with their sales extending all the way into neighboring El Paso. But so far, that’s only been in package form. This fall, New Mexico’s oldest brewery will plant their flag in Las Cruces with a new taproom set in…

IPA Challenge heads south where brewery activity is ramping up

The second round of the New Mexico Brewers Guild IPA Challenge is set for Saturday afternoon at Icebox Brewing in Las Cruces. The Crew will not be braving the heat and driving down I-25, but we will do our best to get the results out when the Guild announces the voting totals. Last weekend, Downshift…

The Week Ahead in Beer: Santa Fe Brewing taps into Spring Runoff

The actual spring runoff from the mountain snowpack has been pretty disappointing this year in New Mexico, mainly due to the lack of any actual snow in the mountains. Santa Fe Brewing’s Spring Runoff, however, is still going strong, with the annual fundraising festival back this weekend at the brewery’s headquarters off I-25. Adaptive Sports…

Local breweries pay tribute to veterans

On the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month, the guns fell silent and all was quiet on the Western Front. The end of World War I in 1918 marked what would eventually become Veterans Day in the United States, honoring all those who served in the military. From brewery owners at…

First round of 2025 NM IPA Challenge features a crowd at the top

Back during the preliminary round of the 2025 New Mexico IPA Challenge, a few brewers told the Crew that it would be awfully hard for any of the quality ales featured to break away from the pack. The first round of public voting Saturday proved that prediction right, as three breweries tied with 12 votes…