Appearance - 8 | Aroma - 8 | Flavor - 8 | Texture - 8 | Overall - 8

A double IPA from a brewery I want to visit, instead I have a tall boy can that was found at an Albuquerque Total Wine in the early fall last year. I had a snifter ready for the pour but the opening of the can was exuberant, had to clean up first. I see an indistinct yellow-orange body topped by a promptly receding heavy head of fully white foam. The nose is interesting, pine initially, grain and yellow fruit. The taste is more focused and pretty gosh darn good. Large with the hops, crackers, lemons, marmalade, cardboard, apricots and malt. Substantially bitter. Northern New Mexico is a bit of a hot bed for IPA brewing in my estimation, this beer only expands on that.

Toasted and sweet malty, dried fruit shred, some fudge toffee sweetness, full body, dark malty warming finish.

Appearance - 4 | Aroma - 5 | Flavor - 5 | Texture - 8 | Overall - 4.5

Gold with a frothy, white head of modest duration. Has a bit of a pils aroma, herbal and grassy with some metal mixed in. Taste is bitter with a faint, dough-like sweetness under. Finishes much the same, but there is a faint but unpleasant chemical aspect to it. Body to the light side of medium, moderate carbonation. Drinkable.

On tap@Outpost 1706 Brewhouse, Albuquerque. 24/09/2023. Color rojizo espuma blanca aromas y sabores frutales, ácida, cuerpo ligero. Rica.

Appearance - 8 | Aroma - 7 | Flavor - 7 | Texture - 8 | Overall - 7.5

Pours clear amber copper, small beige head, decent lacing. Aroma is malty, caramel, toffee, hint of pine, earth. Flavor is light plus sweet, light bitter, malty and rich. Medium body. Impressively good. 4,7,7,4,14

Appearance - 6 | Aroma - 3 | Flavor - 5 | Texture - 8 | Overall - 5

I located this 12 oz can at the Total Wine in Santa Fe a few weeks prior. Steel Bender is one of the NM breweries I appreciate considerably, so now I get to sample this brew. I have to point out that the write-up in the website says ABV is 5.7% while the label on the can gives 5.5%, whatever. Opening can to pour inside of my Buffalo Bayou tulip glass, both are cold. The appearance is a clear, straw yellow liquid with a small covering of fully white foam. The scent is grainy with a bit of citrus coming through. And the drink is more distinctive. Corn, malt, some lemon and hops if I reach for it. Most interesting is the fullness of the drink. Nice. This beer stands out subtly in a style where it is difficult to be different. A slice of lime will be added later, just because.

Appearance - 8 | Aroma - 7 | Flavor - 7 | Texture - 8 | Overall - 7

From a 12 oz can courtesy of BD in Santa Fe. Pours a hazy hay with a white head. Aromas are of melon and tropical fruit. Flavors are moderately bitter pine and pineapple.

Appearance - 8 | Aroma - 7 | Flavor - 8 | Texture - 8 | Overall - 7.5

Draft at Fuegos in ABQ. Black with a creamy, beige head. Aroma full of roasted and burnt grains. Pleasant bitter taste with a strong roasted tone. Finishes with a dose of ash. Medium-bodied, mild carbonation. Good traditional stout.

Appearance - 6 | Aroma - 7 | Flavor - 7 | Texture - 6 | Overall - 7

Cask sample courtesy of Grumbo. Thanks. Light hazy brown with a small off-white head. Aroma is sweet, malty, yeasty and dark fruit. Flavor is quite sweet and light bitter. Sweet finish. 021122

Appearance - 6 | Aroma - 7 | Flavor - 7 | Texture - 6 | Overall - 7

Sample courtesy Grumbo. Small head with short duration. Color is brown. Aroma and taste are caramel, malt, hops, dried fruits and nuts. Nice fruity finish.