WHAT’S ON TAP?
Blazin’ Brewfest continues to serve craft beer to Las Cruces
Acelebration of the state’s craft beers is heading to Las Cruces and serving the tastes, flavors and aromas of New Mexico brews to those down south. Blazin’ Brewfest, in its fourth year, will feature 15 New Mexico breweries serving up their ales, lagers and some ciders throughout the event. Live music, food trucks and games also will be part of the festivities.
Participating breweries are Abbey Brewing Co., Bosque Brewing Co., De La Vega’s Pecan Grill & Brewery, La Cumbre Brewing Co., High Desert Brewing Co., Marble Brewery, Picacho Peak Brewing, Ponderosa Brewing Co., Red Door Brewing Co., Santa Fe Brewing Co., Sierra Blanca Brewing Co., Spotted Dog Brewery, Taos Mesa Brewing Co. and Tractor Brewing Co.
“They’re probably going to be bringing anywhere from three to five beers each,” New Mexico Brewers Guild Executive Director John Gozigian said of the participating breweries. “There’s going to be a lot of different beers available … somewhere between 50 and 100 different beers.”
The event it somewhat of a hybrid, Gozigian said. The ticket cost gets you unlimited sampling of all the breweries’ beers, and you can also purchase your favorite beer by the pint.
The event began at a smaller venue called The Grapevine, on the western edge of Las Cruces. The event eventually outgrew the space and moved to the Main Street mall in Las Cruces, a pedestrian mall that is currently being revitalized. Las Cruces had one brewery, High Desert, when Blazin’ Brewfest began there. Now there are four breweries: Spotted Dog, Picacho Peak and De La Vega’s Pecan Grill & Brewery, as well as a Bosque Brewing tap room, according to Gozigian.
“There’s a ton of craft brewing culture and activity and festivals in central New Mexico, Albuquerque, Santa Fe — you’ve got the Middle Rio Grande corridor — there’s always something to do, so we really try to get out into other parts of the state to do cool stuff,” Gozigian said. “That’s why we chose to do a festival in Las Cruces a few years ago. It’s really been very successful and well-received. People down there really look forward to it. Their brewing scene is really burgeoning out too.”