Microbrew Challenge
-------------------

Bryan Bennett

Nine New Mexico breweries in one place, offering up samples of their best
brews along with good food and music. Too good to be true? I would have thought
so, too, but it was actually pulled off recently at the State Fairgrounds.

On Friday, November 1, most of the breweries from around the state gathered
on the Fairgrounds to hold the New Mexico Microbrewery Challenge to benefit
the Arthritis Foundation. Lara and I jetted down after work that day, myself
with high expectations but anticipating disappointment, especially after the
fiasco of a BrewFest this past spring. I am happy to report that there were
very few disappointments and many pleasant surprises. The entrance fee was
$25 per person, which I thought might be a bit steep for an event of this size
but it turned out to be worth it. The cost kept the crowd down to a reasonable
size of a few hundred and also kept out those looking for a cheap drunk. The
fee included food and samples of beer as well as a nice little souvenir
tasting glass. And of course the proceeds went to help a worthy foundation.

And there was plenty of food, but the best stuff went quickly; Il Vicino's
pizzas and Garcia's Kitchen's posole were both gone by the time we arrived.
There were still enough burgers, dogs, veggies, and chips and salsa to keep
the belly happy between beers.

Music was provided by The Blues Kings. A might loud at times but a good
sounding backdrop for eating and drinking.

But you probably want to hear about the beers, right? Well, there was
definitely beer there and I did not find a bad one in the lot. My biggest
surprise came from a new brewery, Cabezon Brewing Co. out of Albuquerque.
They had a Dry Stout that was absolutely fantastic; nice and roasty with
good coffee undertones. And surprise, surprise, Lara even liked it. Being
a professed non beer drinker she was shocked to discover that she enjoyed
dry stouts. After that she sampled every other stout in the hall and liked
most of them. Maybe I'll make a beer drinker of her yet!

Cabezon also offered up a Pale Ale and a Wheat, both of which were very well
done. I'd recommend keeping an eye out for their beers to hit the shelves. You
should be pleased with them.

One brewery I was looking forward to checking out was High Desert from
Las Cruces. They brought five different styles with them and I sampled them
all. Again, not a bad beer in the bunch. My personal favorite was their Amber
Lager; very clean and hoppy. Lara liked their Peach as well as their Dry Stout.

One brewery that offered no surprises, just outstanding beer as I expected,
was Il Vicino. It was no great shock to me that their IPA took best of show.
I've always liked this one. They also had a Brown Ale that I went back for
refills on twice. Good stuff! If you haven't been by their Pizzeria, go!
They serve what I consider the best pizzas in the state. Also in attendance
were Wolf Canyon with two fine beers (Lara liked the Blonde Ale); Rio Grande
showcasing five of their brews; Rio Bravo with an IPA, and Oatmeal Stout,
and a very flavorful Raspberry; Eske's with three ales; and Southwest (the
brewing part of Asset's Grille) featuring a Pumpkin that was well seasoned.
Somehow I missed getting by the Santa Fe Brewing Co. Table and I won't
forgive myself until I pick up a six-pack or two of their beer from the market.

Advertised but not in attendance, or else very well hidden, were Keg's from
Alamogordo and O'Ryan's Brewery.

I'd like to thank the Duke's of Ale for assisting with this fine event.
They did the judging before the show and also volunteered to help keep things
running smoothly.