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By Root 869 0

a bit of digging to appreciate – or maybe just some good beer, which can be found, and even created by you, at Kelly’s Brewery. Located inside a streamlined Texaco station that was considered one of the most modern facilities on Route 66 in the 1960s, it serves a rotation of homemade beers and prides itself on being a real brew-it-yourself pub. Guests can select a recipe, and be guided through the two-hour process of actually brewing their own beer. You’ll have to wait two weeks before you can drink your creation, but if you can swing back through Albuquerque it’s worth returning to bottle your product and taste the fruits of your labor.

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BEER MAKING IN NEW MEXICO

Although several breweries were already making the pale European-style beers introduced to Americans when the Santa Fe Brewing Company opened in 1892, beer historians consider it the state’s first microbrewery because it took beer making to a whole new level. Regional flavors were added during fermentation and alcohol levels were tweaked – leading to the creation of darker, richer and sometimes almost tangy-tasting beers. Plus the brews were made in small batches – so each barrel tasted slightly different.

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It’s a 238-mile trek southwest from Albuquerque to Silver City, but if you’re looking to drink locally made brews in New Mexico’s coolest Wild West town, then it’s worth the drive. The Silver City Brewing Co serves a range of homemade ales and lagers. We like the ‘Fat’ Strong Scotch Ale. At 9.2% alcohol it packs quite a punch. A gold medal winner at the Great American Beer Festival, the ‘Fat’ Strong is a big, dark, supermalty brew that tastes almost like a fine Scotch whiskey. If you are interested in learning about the craft, ask to chat with the head brewer. End your New Mexican brewpub tour in Silver City’s most venerable sleeping establishment, the Palace Hotel. In a restored 1882 hostelry, it has 19 affordable rooms all decorated in old-fashioned Territorial style.

Aaron Anderson

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TRIP INFORMATION

GETTING THERE

Taos is 135 miles northwest of Albuquerque. Take I-25 north to Hwy 285 north and follow it to Hwy 68 north into town.

DO

Alley Cantina

Live music almost nightly. 505-758-2121; 121 Terracina Lane, Taos; pub grub $6-14; from 11:30am

Eske’s Brew Pub & Eatery

A crowded local hangout with 25 microbrews and good food; try a hearty bowl of Wanda’s green-chile stew. 505-758-1517; 106 Des Georges Lane, Taos; pub grub $6-10; 4-10pm Mon-Thu, 11am-10pm Fri-Sun

Kelly’s Brewery

Call ahead to reserve a spot for brewing your own beer. It costs $150 for a 72-gallon batch. If you just want to sample, go to the onsite pub. 505-262-2739; 3226 Central Ave SE, Albuquerque; 8am-midnight

Santa Fe Brewing Company

Go on a tour, stop by the tasting room or grab a burger and a pint at this popular brewery. 505-424 3333; www.santafebrewing.com; 35 Fire Place, Santa Fe; mains from $7; 7am-9pm Sun-Thu, to 10pm Fri & Sat, tours noon Sat, by appointment.

Second Street Brewery

Excellent homemade beer and New Mexican and American dishes; sit outside on the big patio, or inside the brewery. 505-982-3030; www.secondstreetbrewery.com; 2nd St, Santa Fe; 11am-10pm, to 11pm Fri & Sat

Silver City Brewing Co

Grab delicious pizza, calzones and wings with your beer at this popular brewery. 575-534-2739; 101 E College Ave, Silver City; mains from $6; 11am-10pm

SLEEP & EAT

La Fonda

Vibrant and historic; the rooftop bar is perfect for sunset cocktails. 800-523-5002; www.lafondasantafe.com; 100 E San Francisco St, Santa Fe; r from $225

Laughing Horse Inn

This unique inn offers one-of-a-kind rooms inside a meandering 120-year-old Spanish adobe hacienda. 800-776-0161; www.laughinghorseinn.com; 729 Paseo del Pueblo Norte, Taos; r $75-160

Palace Hotel

Rooms at this historic hotel vary in size, but all are comfortable. 575-388-1811; www.zianet.com/palacehotel; 106 W Broadway, Silver City; r from $45

Sustaining Cultures

A New Age joint serving sandwiches, the best salad bar in Taos and hearty breakfasts.