Friday, July 30, 2010
Arrivederci, Il Vicino Tap Room
Wednesday, July 28, 2010
Ode to "The City Disappointing"


Monday, July 26, 2010
A Rogue by Any Other Name...

Wednesday, July 21, 2010
Guess Who's Not Coming to Dinner?

Sunday, July 18, 2010
Marble Sells Out!

Friday, July 16, 2010
Oh, You English are SO Superior!

Wednesday, July 14, 2010
Summer's the Slowest Season, But Come ON!

The one new beer worthy of mentioning is Marble's new Citra Pale Ale, using the Citra hop that rivals Simcoe for my favorite in terms of smell and taste. And what else matters, really? The 5.6% ABV beer drinks so easy, you could take a growler down to Elephant Butte, sit on a rock, and enjoy it while staring at the pee-swimmers. I only wish one of th local breweries would use this hop and make an IPA or Double IPA with it. Kern River's Citra DIPA was easily the best I tried out of some amazing DIPAs at Stone's Hoppy Father's Day. What do you say, local brewers? Anyone wanna make an "ABQ Beer Geek Citra DIPA"? Bet it will be the best-selling beer you ever make!
Thursday, July 8, 2010
The Second Most Important IPA Challenge
Thanks to Jerrold Baca, I have the dates and places where this year's NM IPA Challenge. You know the one, involving IPAs from most of the breweries all around New Mexico. This is a three-day event, with the first being on Tuesday, July 27 at High Desert in Las Cruces. Thursday the 29th will be hosted by Santa Fe Brewing, and the important one is at Chama River here in Albuquerque on Saturday, July 31. Starting time looks to be at noon. Last time Chama hosted in 2005, they poured the bers on that little patio outside. I don't know what their plan is for this year, but they better be prepared: I really bring the crowds. Sometimes the Bloods, sometimes the Crips, sometimes the Shriners. Last year, Il Vicino took the crown with their Hopgoblin IPL. Brewers tend to bring out their big guns for the challenge, and with Jeff Erway out this year, the field is even more wide open. See you there!
Monday, July 5, 2010
2010 4th of JulIPA Challenge

Let's get to the results. I can't take the thought of another hearty meal. I do have to say in advance that last year's number 4, Turtle Mountain IPA, is not represented this year. Sorry. My one friend who lives near there could not make it this year, and I was too busy pouring beer from bottles into growlers. You try filling 18 growlers and cooking up Flander heart and driving to Rio Rancho.
9. Abita Jockamo IPA: 2.2
I judged this way higher than the other drinkers. I know it isn't a coveted IPA but i liked it.
8. Sierra Nevada Torpedo IPA, 2.9
This is a popular IPA but I think it varies in batches from good to just bitter tasting.
7. New Belgium Ranger IPA, 3.2
Not too surprised at this ranking.People like or hate Ranger.
6. Il Vicino Wet Mountain IPA, 3.3
Well, that's too bad. Local Il Vicino doesn't fare that well this year. I gave it a 4.1.
5. Ska Modus Hoperandi, 3.6
Modus is very popular in town right now, but I feel it could be just a little less malty.
4. Chama River Jackalope IPA, 3.7
Wow, last year's winner goes down. And i wasn't the biggest fan initially because it need time to warm and open up. Some may not have waited long enough to rate it.
3. Moylan's IPA, 3.8
Two people gave this a 4.75, which I thought was too high. it had the best finish of all the beers.
2. Odell IPA, 3.9
The inaugural IPA Challenge winner. This may have been the favorite smelling beer, though I don't know how you could judge the smell when barbecued beef hearts are competing with hops.
Local favorite comes through with the big win! Every year, one IPA stands out to me in our challenge, and this one made me look in the mirror and say, "ARRRGGGHHH! I HATE MYSELF!"
Wait, that is a different issue I have. This was the one that rose above the rest, and I gave it a 4.8. great smell that did not disappoint in the mouthfeel. A great local success story gets another notch in its belt. Congratulations to the hard working crew over at Marble Brewery!
Sunday, July 4, 2010
Happy Independence Day!

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