Sunday 30th of March 2008 08:54:42 AM

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the brewers at tractor are a couple of really nice guys. very pleasant to talk to, and stopped what they were doing to talk beer for a couple of minutes. the brewery section had a lot of character, but smelled a little like old malt. the place was very clean, so i really couldn't find a reason for the smell.

the restaurant next door served the beers, which were very middle-of-the road, i guess in an attempt to please the BMC drinkers that are possible converts. i had samples of all their beers, and it was hard to decide which i would drink with my bbq lunch, because none really stood out.

the bbq was decent, but the waitresses were crabby, and dressed like quasi-hooters girls. i had to hear them whine about all the other customers in the joint, while i was trying to not look awkward eating my lunch.

its a ways off the interstate, so plan for that if you go.

Sunday 23rd of December 2007 12:46:07 PM

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Red Tractor Brewery
Los Lunas, NM
August 24, 2007

Red Tractor Brewery is less than 2 miles (maybe) from I-25 in Los Lunas, NM and an interesting brewpub. In a nutshell the beers are very middle of the road. Each of the 5 ‘flagship” beers are different colors but still on the mild side of the style. They have a Red Ale, Pale Ale, Honey wheat, a Stout and Wheat. The Wheats are true to standard and the Honey Wheat does have a good honey nose and taste. The Wheat has the clove taste and nose, is not filtered and acceptable as a European Wheat.

The brewery is a separate entity from the Bar/Restaurant, which specializes in BBQ and ribs. The décor is Tractor special, with several examples of farm implements on the grounds.

The staff is bright, pleasant, has just the right amount of attentiveness.
I spoke to the brewer, James. He had been at the brewery only 3 months and was going to revamp the recipes. He said they brew 3000 barrels a year and had some strange shipping habits. He had just shipped the annual 5 pallets of bottles to Oklahoma and Rhode Island. James agreed the “Beers were not flavorful” so is brewing a double IPA.

I was dismayed at the number of patrons drinking mega brew bottled beers.

Lastly, I would rate Red Tractor as a very stoppable place. The beer is toward the middle of the road, but may change in the future. The food is good, priced well, service is good and atmosphere is good.

I would stop here again.

Mike Kiester