2 YEARS OF BREW
Kilt Check celebrates milestone with special events, live music
Kilt Check Brewing Co. is celebrating its second year of operation.
The brewery originally opened as Drafty Kilt Brewing Co. It experienced a slight setback when it received a ceaseand-desist order from Atlanta’s Monday Night Brewing Co. over the name Drafty Kilt. One of Monday Night’s beers is called Drafty Kilt, and the brewery had trademarked the names of all its beers in 2010.
“The name change was somewhat of a setback,” Kilt Check owner Mike Campbell said. “They didn’t ask for damages or compensation, but it sure cost us a lot. We had to change signage and checks and bank accounts, and of course, every government agency has a fee. But we still continue to just plug away and let people know we’re the same people, same beers.”
Now it is time to celebrate, and Kilt Check is packing in plenty of events to commemorate its second year. It all starts with Geeks Who Drink on Tuesday, Nov. 6, followed by an Open Mic on Wednesday, Nov. 7, the Rudy Boy blues jam on Thursday, Nov. 8, and Chris Dracup on Nov. 9. Each of these events begin at 7 p.m.
“(Geeks Who Drink) draws a good crowd and a pretty regular crowd, and there is some fun team rivalry of who has the bigger brain,” Campbell said. “Open mic, there’s singers and songwriters, lots of original music, some comedians and even a little poetry.”
The big celebration happens on Nov. 10 with ABQ Ax hatchet throwing, live T-shirt screen printing by Ink Theory, Abq Grill N’ Que and Blazing Barn food trucks, jewelry vendors and glass blowers. There also will be live music from 3 p.m. to 10 p.m. Entertainers include Daddy Long Loin, Broska Ink, Dave Holtkamp, Morning Mushroom, Let It Grow, and the Lonn Collanca Band. There also will be live comedy by Sick Son Production.
All the Kilt Check favorites will be on tap for the event, including Groundskeeper Willie Cream Ale, Campbell Toe IPA, Oatmeal Stout, Wee Beastie Scottish Ale, McRojo Red Ale, and Covfefe Hefeweizen.
“There are over 1,200 beer cans and signs and bottles and just beer stuff I’ve collected for over 30 years,” Campbell said. “The glasses, a lot of them came from Europe, and the beer cans are 30 years of collecting at yard sales and stores.”