I am a beer girl. I’m also a wine girl and a cocktail girl… but really if I have a choice any time of year, I’m happy with a cold pint and a patio. And New Mexico is the perfect place for a beer-lover like me. According to newmexico.org we have 88 local breweries (and counting). Personally, most of the breweries I have tried (and I’ve tried a lot) in New Mexico are delicious! I certainly haven’t tried even close to 88, but there’s still time…
I hate to leave anyone out, but for the sake of time (and our livers) I’ve narrowed down my local favorites to a top 10 list.
Santa Fe Brewing Co. –
Santa Fe, NM
So you might not know this already, but I live in Santa Fe. However, this isn’t the reason I picked Santa Fe Brewing Co. as my number one local brewery choice. I love SFBC for so many reasons. Beer-wise they are one of the most consistent breweries in New Mexico. Some craft breweries have a hard time sticking to a consistent recipe or brewer. My top complaint about new breweries is that you find a beer you love and then next time you come back, order the exact same beer, and it tastes totally different. I’ve never had this problem with SFBC. They are one of the oldest New Mexico craft brewers (opened in 1988) and they have their recipes down to a delicious science. I have my top favorite beers there, especially, Social Hour, Pepe Loco and the classic Nut Brown. But I also always love their seasonal brews like Octoberfest, and Adobe Igloo which stay delightfully consistent year to year as well. SFBC also ranks number one in my books for locations and atmosphere. You can find SFBC almost anywhere you go for a drink in New Mexico (hello, because they are the best) but visiting their taprooms is an experience all their own. I could rank all of the locations as well, but I know you came here for a list of beers! Let me just say, if you’re in Santa Fe visit the beer hall HQ, take a tour of the brewing process while you’re at it, and if you’re in Albuquerque you must check out Tin Can Alley or the OG Green Jeans, for a feast for the eyes and taste buds!
Blue Heron
Rinconada, NM and Espanola, NM
Much less well known than the top pick, but just as tasty! Blue Heron has a couple of locations, but the best place to visit in my opinion is the original tap house in Rinconada (Dixon to be specific). After you stop at SFBC, take a trip up north on your way to Taos and be sure to stop at the tiny home of Blue Heron Brewery. Tucked away in a cute little spot with quintessential New Mexico views, it’s the perfect place to stop for a cold one. Blue Heron’s beer is just about as good at the scenery! Though they have a more limited menu you really can’t go wrong with any of them. If you’re traveling with a wino they have some great options there too from their local vineyard.
Comanche Creek
Talk about a hidden gem! Comanche Creek Brewing Company is a small family-owned microbrewery nestled in the Sangre de Cristo mountains of Northern New Mexico and located just outside Eagle Nest, New Mexico. I had to go searching for this one a bit after it was recommended to me, but boy was it worth it! Also, another great spot for spectacular views and perfect if you’re looking for a scenic trip around northern New Mexico. The Comanche Creek Brewery location holds some great history too. Take some time to sip on an ale and talk to the owner about the history of the original tap house. You’ll find some great locals to talk to there (if you’re not one yourself) and you can’t beat the crisp air at 8400′!
Taos Mesa Brewing
Are you starting to sense a theme here? Ok, yes, this is my list and I tend to think the northern New Mexico breweries are the best! If you suggest a brewery that can beat these, I’d be happy to do some hands-on research just to prove that I’m right. Don’t just take my word for it, head on over to Taos Mesa Brewery. It’s been a couple of years since I’ve been able to get over there in person, but It still holds a place in my heart as one of the best breweries in New Mexico. Even if you’re not a beer drinker, Taos Mesa Brewery is just a spot you have to see! The “Mothership” as they call the tap house is a thing of beauty and wonder. It’s worth the trip alone just to see this cool building. If you’re making a long trek I also suggest spending the night at Hotel Luna hotel and campground within walking distance of this spectacular brewery. What’s not to love about Taos?
Marble Brewery
Alright let’s head down south (just a little bit) to Albuquerque and some more well-known breweries in the area. If you threw a rock in ABQ you’d probably hit about ten good breweries within a few blocks of each other. They seem to have been popping up left and right over the last couple of years, but you don’t see me complaining! Marble is another NM brewery that you just can’t go wrong with. Consistent, delicious and so many options to choose from. Sit out on the patio at their downtown location and take in some people watching, Albuquerque style. It’s also a great place to catch some live music and grab a bite at the food truck parked out front.
Sidetrack Brewery
I had a hard time not putting Sidetrack up a little higher on the list. The thing I love even more about this brewery than the beer itself are the owners and employees. I have been going to Sidetrack since they opened back in 2016 and the staff there is just as friendly now as the day they opened. I used to love going there for their movie nights on the patio and I’m keeping my fingers crossed that they’ll get to start that up again soon! I love their “buy a friend a beer” wall that just makes you feel even more that you’ve stumbled into a fun neighborhood bar (which you have). I highly recommend their classic Kolsch or the Railhead Red.
Steel Bender
Image from Steel Bender Wesbite
Another great ABQ spot that is on the newer side (opened in 2017). What can I say? The beer is good, location is top-notch and the food is just what you want to eat along side a delicious amber or IPA. This is one of my favorite places to meet friends after work and I tend to take home a growler of the Village Wit whenever I can. They have a few beers consistently on rotation and are always adding more, whether it be to keep up with the cider trends or meeting a seasonal need for their loyal customers.
Sierra Blanca Brewery
Ah Sierra Blanca… this brewery holds a special place in my heart. I almost didn’t want to share it because, selfishly I like to keep great things to myself sometimes. But truthfully, if you’ve had a beer in NM, you’ve probably had something brewed by Sierra Blanca. Their Alien Amber is famous, not to mention their Pecan and Green Chile beers (yes, I said GREEN CHILE BEER). But if you haven’t visited their home in Moriarty, you haven’t really had their beer yet. This is another brewery where you must take the tour. If just for the smell of roasting green chile alone, it’s also a fun way to get a history and a behind the curtain look at how the magic happens!
Bosque
You really can’t go wrong with Bosque Brewing. With new locations opening up in Santa Fe and Las Cruces you can find this beer just about anywhere in New Mexico. You can also usually grab a can of Bosques classics, like Elephants on Parade and the Scotia at most stores (definitely Total Wine). If you’re feeling adventurous grab a pint of their Pickle Down Economics (also great in a Bloody Mary). Bosque is always fun and tasty, with so many choices you’re guaranteed to satisfy everyone in the group with this brewery choice.
Tractor Brewing Co.
Last, but certainly not least on my top 10 list – Tractor Brewing Co. Tractor is all about the “vibe,” but the beer is great too. It was my go-to for a few years when I spent a lot of time in Albuquerque, and I still recommend it to anyone looking for a good beer in the area. Tractor is one of those breweries that is always evolving, always trying out a new trend and meeting the needs of their customers. With 3 locations in Albuquerque alone, if you’re looking for a good beer in the area and haven’t tried Tractor yet, what are you waiting for?
Other great NM breweries that didn’t quite make the top 10 but that you will definitely want to check out:
Kactus Brewing Co. – Bernalillo, NM
Truth or Consequence’s Brewing Co. – Las Cruces, NM
La Cumbre – Albuquerque, NM
Callahan West Brewery – Mosquero, NM
Bow and Arrow Brewing Co. – Albuquerque
Red River Brewery – Red River, NM
(*All images lovingly borrowed)
I have been fortunate to have sampled brews from several of your listed craft beers. I kept looking for 2nd Street Brewing of Santa Fe. One of my favorites.
We really should have said we love them all. I haven’t been to a New Mexico brewery that disappoints.
thank you for the tour of northern breweries, rather than trying ranking id be more inclined to say these are my faves as NM has an incredibly diverse and rich micro-brew culture … a couple major standouts that deserve mention in the ABQ area … Ex Novo in Corrales and their amazing family friendly beer garden, Gravity Bound macro brewery definitely outstanding and Boxing Bear with 3 locations each with their own personality
I think you’re right. And thanks for your insights into additional brews!
Ice Box brewing and Spotted Dog Brewing in Las Cruces, NM are great spots! Definitely should have been on the top 10 list.
A few additions: Santa Fe is the oldest in NM among active breweries. It was the first to open in the state since the original Rio Grande Brewing closed in 1939. There are now 96 active breweries, as 4 more have opened in Burque recently. Callahan West has new owners who have renamed it as Dawson Rail Brewery.