Back in 1988, the Santa Fe Brewing Company set its sights a bit higher than the delicacy of Milwaukee’s Best. Using custom square vessels and open-top fermenters obtained from the defunct Boulder Brewing Company, Mike Levis started brewing the Pale Ale that remains Santa Fe Brewing’s flagship. Over the ensuring decade the New Mexico State Fair and the Great American Beer Festival (and others) took notice. As a faithful following and regional renown grew, the company added the Nut Brown and Wheat varieties to their roster and established a tradition of unique and flavorful seasonal brews.
In 1997 when Brian Lock, Dave Forester, Carlos Muller and Ty Levis arrived, the company was ready to expand on its century-old traditions. Moving to their new location, the brewery increased its capacity to 15 barrels. Its brews were introduced to a wider audience in New Mexico and parts of Colorado. Then they opened their tasting room, inviting the public to partake. In 2005, Muller and Forester left Lock and Levis to carry the brewery into the 21st century. The brewhouse found a permanent home in the same area as the brewery, just up the road from its former location. Today the new 30 bbl. brewery and bottling line is complete, with ten times the brew capacity of the former facility.
Santa Fe Brewing Company, with its handful of dedicated employees, and your favorite Beer of the Month Club bring you:
Santa Fe Nut Brown Ale, an easy-drinking beer that’s mild, smooth, and always a favorite. Santa Fe uses a combination of high mash temps, hard water and low-alpha acid hops to produce this solid repeat winner at an impressive list of competitions.
Dark, bold, State Pen Porter rivals the above in winning awards. It’s drinkable and flavorful, chock full of nuts and chocolate.
Featured Beer from Santa Fe Brewery: Nut Brown Ale and State Pen Porter
Nut Brown Ale – Santa Fe Nut Brown Ale – With roots in the pubs of England, this brew delivers both flavor and complexity, but is mild enough to be a session beer. Serving a meal that’s all over the flavor map? This will be your beer of choice, like that college buddy you used to take on blind double dates. It won’t care what its paired with, it’s just happy to be along for the ride! Goes with everything from beef to strong cheese.
Porter – Santa Fe State Pen Porter – Dark, bold and luxurious, drinking this porter is like sitting on a velvet sofa in solitary confinement! The bigger flavors make it a natural match with BBQ, smoked and grilled meats, buttery cheese and chocolate.
