Greetings fellow craft beer lovers, this is E-Rock here this fine Monday to bring you another edition of the Week Ahead in Beer. As always, this column is designed to keep you up to date on all of the seasonal beers, music, and events served up in and around the Albuquerque metro area.

Duke City tap rooms and breweries are observing the holiday season with an array of new beers crafted to satisfy your sweet tooth. New beers this week include a Gingerbread Beer (Chama River), Fruit Cake Strong Ale (Il Vicino), Molasses Porter (Turtle Mountain), and La Cumbre’s Noche de Paz featuring figgy malts and a touch of molasses. Of course, there are other great beers hitting taps around town this week. Bosque Brewing should be serving their new Amber Ale some time this week. Broken Bottle now has their new John Quincey Adams Ale and a new batch of Rob Van Winkle Vanilla Stout on tap. Marble has their new Brew Cut Volume 1 on tap this week. Sandia Chile Grill will have their new IPA on tap this week, weighing in at an impressive 100 IBUs.

On a side note, the Brew Crew has many readers outside of New Mexico thanks to Shilling adding our posts to Reddit. So for all you readers who have been hearing about New Mexico’s burgeoning craft brew scene, you can now try some of New Mexico’s most highly regarded craft beer for yourself. La Cumbre Brewing Company’s beer is now available on beerjobber.com. You’re welcome.

That is just a small sample of what is going on in and around the 505. Continue reading for all the news that is fit to blog for the week of Dec. 17.

To break down each “capsule,” I listed the brewery (with Web page linked), its phone number (all are area code 505, for out-of-state readers) and hours of operation. Under “Beers” are the new or seasonal beers on tap for this week. And for those breweries that play host to musicians, I made sure to list who’s on the week’s set list.

ABQ Brew Pub — 884-1116

(Mon–Thurs 11 a.m.–midnight, Fri–Sat 11 a.m.–2 a.m., Sunday 10 a.m.–midnight)

Beers: No new seasonals at this time.

News: We are still anxiously awaiting Ben Miller’s newest creation to hit the taps at ABP.

Back Alley Draft House — 766-6973 (NYPD)

(Hours 5 p.m.-11 p.m. daily)

Beers: JC’s Pumpkin, JC’s Pale Ale, Melia Belgian Strong Ale, Goat Head IPA, The Streets Saison. I had the opportunity to have a pint of JC’s Pumpkin recently. This beer is well spiced and tasty without being overpowering. It’s exactly what I want out of a pumpkin beer. If you don’t believe me, BADH also has La Cumbre and Marble’s Pumpkin beers on tap, so you can do your own taste test.

Bad Ass Brewery — 918-2337

(Mon–Thurs 4 p.m.–10:30 p.m., Fri–Sat 3 p.m.–midnight, Sun 4–7 p.m.)

Beers: 66 Pinup Porter, Zombie IPA, Charlie’s Old Red, Midnight Imperial Stout, Torn Kilt, English Brown Smog, Belgian Mistress, Double Headed Zombie, Matts Wine Barrel Sour, Nutty Cafe, Desert Rose, Dragon Blood, Eat Your Oatmeal, Triple Chocolate Stout. The BAB staff is especially excited about the Midnight Imperial Stout. I had a flight of this stout recently. This bad boy clocks in at 10-percent ABV with 25 IBU, and it is smooth with a nice smoked flavor. It could be BAB’s tastiest offering to date. If you have never been to BAB or haven’t been there in a while, this is definitely the time to go and the Midnight Imperial Stout is the beer to have.

Bosque Brewing Company — 750-7596

(Mon–Thurs 11:30 a.m.–11 p.m., Fri–Sat 2 p.m.–midnight)

Beers: Amber Ale, Scotia Scottish Ale, English IPA, Oatmeal Stout, Olde Bosky (Porter), Kindling (Golden), Mellow Brit (Brown), Cumulus IPA. BBC was not able to release their Amber Ale last week, but it should be on tap some time this week. You can do your civic duty and help make room for the Amber Ale at the taps by going to BBC and drinking up what else is there. It’s just that easy.

Broken Bottle Brewery — 890-8777

(Mon–Fri 4 p.m.–midnight, Sat noon–midnight, Sun noon–10 p.m.)

Beers: John Quincey Adams Ale, Rob Van Winkle Vanilla Stout, Xico Suave, Anamole (Chocolate Red Chile Stout), Debacle Pumpkin Ale. The John Quincey Adams Ale is something of a hard cider and ale hybrid brewed with quinces. The Rob Van Winkle Vanilla Stout is a local favorite, so get it before it sells out. Stoutmeister and Franz Solo alone might wipe out the supply.

News: B3 is now serving a limited menu in the taproom. The food is provided by one of ABQ’s best new restaurants, Paco’s. They have things like roasted duck quesadillas, chips & queso and much more. Also, on Feb. 10, they will host a Beer Pairing Dinner catered by Paco’s, with tickets now available at B3.

B3 has their Cracked Cork BarleyWine coming out next week. If you haven’t tried any of B3’s seasonals recently, then you are missing out on some great craft beers.

Events: B3 has $3 pints all day Tuesday. On Wednesday, B3 will be hosting their open mic from 8-10 p.m., with signups starting at 7:30 p.m. They will be showing football throughout the day on Sunday and they will have Monday Night Football as well.

Music: Fri — The Bastard Project Featuring Chaston Starling 8-11 p.m.

Chama River Brewing Company — 342-1800

(Sun–Thurs 11 a.m.–11 p.m., Fri–Sat 11 a.m.–midnight)

Beers: Gingerbread Beer, Centennial PA, Shadow Boxer (Black IPA), Porter for Pyros. According to a post on Chama’s Facebook page, the Gingerbread Beer is a “lightly spiced ale carries flavors and aromas reminiscent to that of baking gingerbread in your home as the snow falls outside. This beer weighs in at a substantial.” (9.0% ABV, 35 IBU) And the Black IPA Shadow Boxer is “very dark in color with a punchy hop flavor and aroma, finishing with a hint of roast malt.” (6.6% ABV, 65 IBU)

Il Vicino Brewing Canteen — 881-2737

(Sun–Thurs noon–10 p.m., Fri–Sat noon–midnight)

Beers: Fruit Cake Strong Ale, Sasquatch Scotch, Belgian Blonde, Dark Matter Pilsner, Marzen, Oatmeal Stout, London Calling ESB, Irish Red, Rhapsody (Bohemian Pilsner). Il Vicino posted this message on their Facebook page: “For all of you Baravian Bräuhaus enthusiasts, our Märzen has gone on tap today! Beautiful amber color, rich flavor and a crisp finish: perfect for this ever-fall weather we are enjoying.”

News: The 5-Minute IPA made with Cascade and Centennial hops is on tap for Cask Wednesday and the ESB with Kent goldings will be on cask Saturday. Saint Bob’s Bourbon Barrel aged Imperial Stout is now available in half growlers (32oz bottles). IV brewed an 80 bottle batch, each numbered and autographed by the brewers. $20 per bottle or make it a gift pack with two 6 oz. glasses for $25. Look for the Milk Chocolate Cherry Stout, Dark American Lager, Baltic Porter, and St. Bob’s Imperial Stout to hit taps in coming weeks. And yes, all those dark beers mean Solstice Blackout is returning! (date TBA)

Music: Tues — Alex Maryol (Acoustic Blues) 6-9 p.m., Sat — Alex Maryol – CD Release Party 7-10 p.m., Sun — Green Billies (Americana/Bluegrass) 3-6 p.m.

La Cumbre Brewing — 872-0225

(Open every day at noon)

Beers: Noche de Paz, Barrel-Aged Russian Imperial Stout, Potter’s PA (Belgian-style pale ale), Hot Shots Rauch (Rauchbier), Pecos Porter, Trout (English-style) Pale Ale. According to La Cumbre’s website, the Hot Shots Rauch is “named in honor of the heroes that regularly put themselves into harms way in the hopes of saving our lives, our property, and our National Forests and Parks, this Bamberg-style Rauchbier is pungent with the smoke, apple, and rich bready maltiness that one should expect from the style. 100% German malts and hops along with our house lager yeast and over 2 months of lagering have left this beer both formidable, and incredibly smooth and drinkable. It finishes lightly malty, with enough hop spice to balance the sweetness contributed by lots of Munich, Vienna and Bamberg Rauch malt.” (5.4% ABV, 30 IBU)

Stoutmeister and Cryptogrind both sampled the Imperial Stout during La Cumbre’s two-year anniversary celebration this past week. Both were blown away by this awesome mix of traditional stout flavors with bourbon and wine hints.

News: La Cumbre’s beer is now available on beerjobber.com! Tell beer lovers in different states that they, too, can get elevated!

Music: Wed — The Gregg Daigle Band 6-9 p.m., Sat — Odd Dog 7-10 p.m.

Marble Brewery — 243-2739

(Mon–Sat 1 p.m.–midnight, Sun 1 p.m.–10:30 p.m.)

Beers: Brew Cut Volume 1, Brown Porter, Oude Brune Sour, Dark Secret (Brown Lager), Pumpkin Porter, Imperial Red (9.0% ABV). Brew Cut Volume 1 is a barrel-aged Imperial Red. According to their website, the Oude Brune is “a Flemish-Style sour ale aged in French wine barrels.” (8% ABV) And the Brown Porter is Tim Lambert’s State Fair Best-of-Show winner. (5% ABV, $4/Pints) Stoutmeister gives thumbs up to the Brown Porter, noting it is a unique hybrid of traditional smoked porter and nut brown flavors.

News: Marble’s holiday gift packs ($19.95) are now available at all of their locations. Choose from Imperial Stout, Chocolate Cartel’s Red Chile Chocolate bar and dark chocolate macadamia nuts OR Imperial Red, a leather pint koozie, and green chile pistachios. They also have brown and black hoodies ($30) back in stock in all sizes at their Downtown Pub and their Westside Taproom.

Events: Check out Marble’s cask (or “real” ale) selection on tap this Friday at their downtown location. Marble Red will be in cask. Marble is also doing their Annual Coat Drive through December.

Nexus Brewery — 242-4100

(Mon–Thurs 2 p.m.–10 p.m., Fri–Sun 11 a.m.–midnight) Beers: Chocolate Porter, Maximus (Double) IPA, Imperial Cream Stout, Barley Wine, Equinox Spiced Brown. At 9.2-percent ABV, Nexus’ new Barley Wine packs quite a punch. But be warned, Nexus has a way of brewing high alcohol content beers that go down smoother than a pilsner. Make sure to order a hardy meal with this bad boy. Derek and Stoutmeister sampled this one recently; both labeled it “dangerous, since you don’t taste the alcohol, just the sweet.” News: Nexus is featuring $3 pints on Monday and Tuesday from 2-10 p.m. Events: As always, Nexus plays host to the Young, Dumb, and Full of Comedy open mic on Tuesday at 7:30 p.m. in the Sunroom. Sandia Chile Grill — 798-1970 (Mon–Sat 8 a.m.–8 p.m., Sun 8 a.m.–6 p.m.) Beers: IPA (6.5% ABV, 100 IBU), Hefeweizen, ESB, Smoked Porter, Amber Ale (6% ABV), Irish Red Ale (6% ABV). SCG has made an IPA especially for all you hopheads out there. At 100 IBU, SCG’s new IPA is sure to give your taste buds a dry, bitter experience fitting for any Burqueño. While you’re there, grab a meal smothered in red and/or green chile. It doesn’t get more New Mexican than that. News: At Sandia Chile Grill you can enjoy great New Mexican food with your beer such as their $10 double chicken enchilada and beer special served with beans, potatoes, chile, and a 16-ounce beer. SCG’s Milk Stout (with added malts and hints of smoked flavors) should be on tap shortly after the new year. Tractor Brewing Company — 433-5654 (Nob Hill Tap Room)

(The tap room opens most days around 3 p.m. and stays open as late as 2 a.m.; it opens earlier on weekends)

Beers: Tractoberfest, Apple Cider, Black Eye’d PA, Milk Moustachio Stout, Adebisi (black lager), Lunas De Los Muertos Imperial Stout, Pilsner #15. Beer Noir kicked off on Halloween with more beers than you can shake a stick at. A number of them are still on tap, so come get them while you still can.

Turtle Mountain Brewing Company — 994-9497

(Kitchen hours: Mon–Thurs 11 a.m.-9 p.m., Fri–Sat 11 a.m.-9:30 p.m., Sun 11 a.m.-8:30 p.m.)

Beers: Molasses Porter (6.3% ABV, 30 IBU), Christmas Soulstice (Brown), Imperial Baltic Porter (7.6% ABV, 25 IBU), 3-Galloot’s Pale Ale, Collateral Damage Barley Wine, Honey Wheat, Texas Twister Brown, Milkshake Stout, Yardsale Amber, Golden Ale, Hopduster IPA, Hybrid IPA, Cabo Lager, Red Rye, Collateral Damage Barley Wine on cask. TMBC’s website has this to say about the Christmas Soulstice: “The spices will definitely put the Christmas spirit in you. Clove, cinnamon, orange peel, vanilla, ginger; wow, this beer is amazing! Cheers!” (5.25% ABV, 30 IBU, 1.052 OG)

News: Look for the Ironman Black IPA, one of Stoutmeister’s all-time favorites, and Hoptimus Prime to hit taps at TMBC in the near future.

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That’s all for this week! If you have any questions or comments, leave them below or contact us on our Facebook page.

Cheers!

— E-Rock