Sunday 13th of February 2011 02:16:54 PM

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Sierra Blanca also Rio Grande brewery
Feb 11, 2011

The brewery is a bit difficult to find and may not be on some GPS PIO. It is on the Eastside of Moriarty just west of the large white oil storage tanks, south of Old 66. It is the industrial building with the sign BREWERY on it.

I was there this trip on a Saturday afternoon and the traffic waxed and waned from just me to 10 or 12 people. On a previous visit (2008?), no one was in the tap room. I went upstairs looking for someone, walked to the end of the hall, past children’s play pin, but stopped at the door with the GABF winning medal hanging from the door knob. I did hear the bottler running so got my earplugs and went down. They were brewing and bottling green tea. I had never seen a fork lift full of giant green tea bags. The organization has changed since then.

This visit was pleasant. I only had 3 of their beers but none were out of standard or had off flavors. They have 2 IPA, I had the more hoppy. It lacked a big nose that I like but was good. The stout was a bit on the mild side but was very drinkable. I had the chili beer and it was wrought with anaheim peppers, light, and enjoyable.

The most popular beer is their Roswell Alien Amber. I did not try it because my palate was distorted by the previous beers.

They apparently do lot of custom brewing including a monastery and bottle and distribute under both brewery names. Pints are $3.00, growlers $7 and half barrels $95. Think about it, half barrel, about 120 pints, $95 or about $.80 a pint, sounds like a deal to me.

Water for the brewery is produced by reverse osmosis then built up to whatever beer is being brewed.

The Barman rinsed each glass with the beer to be served before serving it. He work in the brewery and fills in at the taproom.

People flowed in and out, visited, told stories, talked beer and where to get it, brought kids and generally were very relax.

I would go again.

Monday 15th of February 2010 08:45:42 PM

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Wasn't quite a fan of this place. I mean, the atmosphere was alright, but I found myself more attracted to the place than the beer itself. A previous reviewer, granted they were reviewing a different venue, got it spot on when they described the beer as "unremarkable". This is an account of both the flavor and the selection.
I wouldn't take my judgement as God's word, however. This part of New Mexico is known for their food, and I might have been more impressed, had I actually tried something to eat.

Friday 1st of January 2010 01:24:10 AM

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So I'm actually reviewing De La Vega's Pecan Grill and Brewery in Las Cruces, which just opened and is pouring 6 taps brewed for them by these guys. I guess when De La Vega's starts producing their own, I'll review them too, but since the beer is made by these guys, it seemed like a good place for the review.

So we tried a "flight" of 6 tasters at De La Vega's, who assured us these beers were brewed specially for them, and weren't available at Sierra Blanca/Rio Grande. The flight consisted on a very typical pils, lager, amber, IPA, and stout. It also had an interesting nut brown brewed with chocolate malt, making for a pretty unique taste for the variety. Overall, the beers were tasty and fresh, but unremarkable. The bartender told us the stout had "twice the gravity" of Guinness, therefore pushing 10%. It was hearty, but I don't know if I'd go that far.

I won't go into food, atmosphere, etc. here, other than to say De La Vega's is a classy place with spendy food and decently priced beers. $5 taster (6 3 oz. tasters), $2.50 10 oz, $3.50 16 oz, and $4.50 23 oz drafts. Looking forward to them doing their own thing.

Sunday 30th of March 2008 09:02:27 AM

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very nice people at this brewery. weren't a lot of people there when i went, so got a lot of time to talk with the brewer and his wife.

they produce a lot of quality beers at this brewery. among my favorites were the alien amber, which had an amazingly malty taste for such a low gravity beer. (i took some of this home and inadvertently aged it for about 6 months...which seemed to enhance the malty flavors)

they also brewed a belgian ale for a local monastery, which was well presented.

i wasn't a big fan of their pepper beer, but a couple people came to the brewery while i was there just to taste that beer.

if i'm near there again, i'll definitely try to stop by.