Rio Grande & Sierra Blanca Brewing Company

I know that the Rio Grande & Sierra Blanca Brewing Company is not a Colorado brewery, but we love and appreciate our neighbors, right? My mommy and I have a tradition of getting away for a mother daughter weekend to Taos, NM once a year. Before our last trip I had been talking to someone about my love of micro-brew beers and was told that if I ever get to New Mexico that I need to try Alien Amber Ale, that it was similar to Fat Tire, and if you read my post 'Beer, It's a Love Story', then you already know that Fat Tire was my first (beer) love!

So, one night when we found a cute little place for dinner, with patio dining - I'm a sucker for patio dining - and I saw Alien Amber Ale on the drink menu, well obviously I had to try it!

I will say that I was pretty impressed with this brew and it was definitely similar to Fat Tire. It was a little bitterer (is that a word?) that my beloved Fat Tire, but is definitely something I would drink again and I regret not picking up a 6 pack or two before leaving New Mexico... oh well, maybe next trip. But if you ever find yourself in New Mexico looking for a tasty cerveza to try I suggest some Alien Amber Ale!

San Luis Valley Brewing Company

My trip to San Luis Valley Brewing Company was an impromptu stop when I was passing through Alamosa on a trip to Taos, NM.

Me being the kind of girl who is always looking for a new cerveza and a new microbrewery/brew pub to try, I of course decided that this would be a great place to stop for lunch and a couple of drinks (and no, I wasn't driving).

So, after trying a few tasters, I settled on the Valle Especial, which is described as a 'Mexican-style Lager', which is somewhat like Corona (but better). And for anyone who doesn't know this about me, there is really not much that I enjoy more than an ice cold Corona with a fresh lime wedge on a hot summer day. So, finding a Colorado brew (since I always prefer to support local businesses) I like even more than my old summer standby, that is always a plus!

So, overall I suggest that if you find yourself passing through Alamosa that you stop here for a drink or two.