Beer is the most consumed alcoholic beverage in the world and the third most popular drink (behind water and tea). There is no exception in Santa Fe. Here you'll find hand crafted micro beers are as good or better than anywhere else!
Whether you travel to Santa Fe for a week, a weekend, or a season, you’ll have no problem wetting your whistle with new and different award-winning brews during your visit.
Oldest Brewery In New Mexico
Make sure to start out with a visit to the Santa Fe Brewing Company, which is the oldest microbrewery in Santa Fe and in the State of New Mexico. It distributes only 100% naturally conditioned beers in New Mexico, Colorado, Texas, Arizona, Oklahoma and Nebraska.
Santa Fe Brewing Company brews all of their beers on premise in Santa Fe. They brew year-round favorites like their Pale Ale, Nut Brown, Java Stout and flagship Happy Camper and 7k IPAs,. Seasonal selections such as the Twisted Root or Adobe Igloo are not to be missed. If you’re a beer aficionado, you may enjoy checking out their collectible t-shirts, pint glasses, bottle cap magnets and even half pint kid gear.
Santa Fe Brewing doesn’t serve food but does have multiple tasting rooms around town. Food trucks are occasionally found at the brewery tasting room as well. Here’s a pairing suggestion: The Happy Camper IPA with spicy green enchiladas or flavorful grilled meats. The Santa Fe Gold is a American pale ale and goes well with salads and spicy foods—especially green chile!
Photo Courtesy of Santa Fe Brewing
Classic Pub Fare and Some Brews
Second Street Brewery is a neighborhood brew pub that welcomes all locals and visitors. Here you can enjoy a fine handcrafted ale or lager among delightful company. IPA is a popular beer at Second Street.
Make it a meal with crowd favorites like the Fish and Chips. Or how about a cream stout and the ever popular “Alien Burger”, winner of the 2014 Green Chile Cheeseburger Smackdown?
There are three Second Street Brewery locations,— the original at 1814 2nd Street , one within the Santa Fe Railyard, and the newest Rufina taproom near Meow Wolf.
Photo Courtesy of Second Street Brewery
Brews & Bites on Bikes!
Routes Bicycle Tours "Brews & Bites" is the perfect opportunity to explore the city's culinary and craft brew scene. Each tour is customized for your group with VIP access to at least three craft breweries or cideries, as well as a sampling of local microbrews. Your local guides will lead you to the most delicious pub-fare and pizza The City Different has to offer, and are experts when it comes to the local landmarks and scenery along the way.
Routes Bicycle Tours is located at 100 E San Francisco St, conveniently located at the Concierge lobby of the La Fonda on the Plaza Hotel.
Photo courtesy of Routes Bicycle Tours
Road Runner IPA? But Of Course!
Blue Corn Brewery is a favorite of both locals and visitors. All the beer at Blue Corn is brewed in a one manned 7 barrel brew house. Their Head Brewer, Paul Mallory uses the finest ingredients from around the world to make a variety of ales and lagers. Blue Corn Brewery has 5 house beers on tap.
You’ll want to order the lamb tacos and pair with the Atomic Blonde lager. Or how about the , pub steak with the End of the Trail Brown Ale? Pairing the ale with carnitas is also a favorite.
Blue Corn Café is located at 133 W Water Street and the Blue Corn Café and Brewery is at 4056 Cerrillos Road.
Photo Courtesy of Blue Corn Brewery
Good Brews and High Spirits
Open April 2018, Tumbleroot Brewery and Distillery is one of the newest arrivals to the Santa Fe beer scene. In addition to a wide variety of beers, Tumbleroot also distills a unique assortment of spirits by hand using 100% organic ingredients. The beautiful taproom features a music venue, hosting some of the best local talent from around the state, and a children's playground is the centerpiece of their family-friendly vibe. If you want to geek out at their production facility, tours are offered at 3:30pm each Friday.
The brewery offers a modest food menu, but many of Santa Fe's food trucks frequently call Tumbleroot home.
Tumbleroot Brewery and Distillery Taproom is located at 2791 Agua Fria Street, just a short hop from the ever-popular Meow Wolf.
Photo Courtesy of Tumbleroot Brewery and Distillery
Beer and More Beer
The Draft Station has several local beer options under one roof. They have fourteen tap handles and proudly pour the best craft beer New Mexico has to offer. Each location features house beers from Blue Corn Brewery, Chama River Brewing Company and specialty beers from La Cumbre, Marble, and many more.
Popular food pairings include the No. 3 house specialty pizza with grilled chicken and blue corn crust paired with a Seattle Semi Sweet Cider. Another delicious combination is supreme pizza with a Jackalope IPA.
Photo Courtesy of Draft Station
24 Taps at the Cowgirl
Since 1993, The Cowgirl has been serving up barbecue and regional American cuisine at its Railyard location near downtown Santa Fe. The New York Times, Wall Street Journal, Cowboys and Indians Magazine and Outside magazine have all raved about the Cowgirl restaurant offerings. There are 24 taps for microbrews at the Cowgirl, and daily specials, so you will be sure to find the right brew to quench your thirst. Try pairing The Mother Burger and a 90 Shilling ale. Or maybe the pulled pork sandwich with local pale ale?
Photo Courtesy of The Cowgirl BBQ
There you have it! You now have a road map of some of Santa Fe’s best places for beer. And don’t forget the food, you can’t go wrong when you pair it off with some delicious brews! So now that you’re hungry and thirsty get our official 2019 Santa Fe guide to plan your next trip to Santa Fe!
