Santa Fe Beer Festival - Craft Brews and Fun in New Mexico

Experience the Santa Fe Beer Festival in New Mexico

The Santa Fe Beer Festival is an iconic annual event for beer lovers and travelers visiting New Mexico. Taking place every September in downtown Santa Fe, this festival celebrates the best craft beers and ciders from New Mexico and beyond. With its casual, lively atmosphere, variety of brews, delicious food trucks, and live music, it's no wonder the Santa Fe Beer Festival draws thousands of attendees each year.

The History of the Santa Fe Beer Festival

The Santa Fe Beer Festival was founded in 2012 by the staff of Santa Fe Brewing Company, New Mexico's oldest and largest craft brewery. They envisioned an event that would showcase New Mexico's thriving beer scene and bring together brewers and beer enthusiasts from across the Southwest.

The first Santa Fe Beer Festival was held in the brewery's parking lot with about 15 breweries and a few hundred attendees. It was an instant hit, and the next year it expanded into a huge block party that closed down Galisteo Street. The festival kept growing each year and is now held at Santa Fe Railyard Park, with ample space for 60+ breweries, food trucks, live music stages, and thousands of excited beer lovers.

While the Santa Fe Beer Festival has evolved over the past decade, its mission remains the same: Celebrating all things local beer in New Mexico. Many of the state's top breweries make the trek to Santa Fe to share their innovative brews. It's also a great opportunity for smaller up-and-coming breweries to get exposure. Festival proceeds benefit Santa Fe Brewer's Guild nonprofit programs, so it's a win-win for everyone involved.

What to Expect at the Santa Fe Beer Festival

The Santa Fe Beer Festival takes place on the third Saturday in September. For 2023, it will be held on September 16th from 1 pm to 5 pm.

The festival happens rain or shine at the Santa Fe Railyard Park, just south of the downtown plaza area. Tickets typically go on sale 6-8 weeks prior to the event. General admission tickets grant you access to unlimited beer tastings for the entire afternoon. There are also VIP tickets available with early entry and access to special tappings.

Once inside the festival grounds, you'll find beers flowing from tents manned by brewery staff. With so many options to try, the tasting glass provided with admission helps you sample 4 oz pours of your favorites. There is an excellent variety of beer styles represented, from juicy IPAs to bourbon barrel stouts and everything in between.

Spread throughout the park, you'll find food trucks and vendors selling tasty snacks to accompany your beers. There are also two music stages with live local bands playing throughout the event. The atmosphere is relaxed and social - grab some friends or make some new ones while exploring the festival!

New Mexico Breweries at the Festival

One of the best parts of the Santa Fe Beer Festival is getting to sample beers from all over New Mexico. Many of the state's 50+ breweries make the trek to showcase their top releases. Here are some of the New Mexico breweries you may find pouring at the festival:

• Santa Fe Brewing Company - The hosts of the festival, with flagship beers like Santa Fe Pale Ale.
• La Cumbre Brewing - Albuquerque brewery acclaimed for IPAs like Elevated and Malpais.
• Marble Brewery - Bold beers like their Double White and Wildflower Wheat.
• Boxing Bear Brewing Co - Located in Albuquerque, known for Chocolate Milk Stout.
• Kaktus Brewing - Bavarian-style lagers and ales from Bernalillo.
• High and Dry Brewing - From Santa Fe, try their sours and farmhouse ales.
• Rowley Farmhouse Ales - Specializing in mixed fermentation beers in Santa Fe.
• Bosque Brewing - Family-owned nanobrewery out of Albuquerque.
• Steel Bender Brewyard - Creative brewpub in Albuquerque.
• Second Street Brewery - Two locations in Santa Fe and Albuquerque.

In addition to the New Mexico contingent, a selection of breweries from neighboring states often pour at the festival as well. This gives attendees a chance to try acclaimed beers from top breweries in Colorado, Arizona, Texas and beyond.

Special Beer Releases at the Festival

Part of the intrigue and excitement of the Santa Fe Beer Festival is getting to try one-time beer releases before anyone else. Many breweries create a brand new beer just for the festival, often with local ingredients and quirky names related to Santa Fe.

Here are some of the special releases that have been hot commodities at recent Santa Fe Beer Festivals:

• Santa Fe Brewing Honey Kolsch - Made with wildflower honey from local Albuquerque producers.
• La Cumbre Dichoso - This hazy IPA incorporates New Mexico green chiles.
• Marble Bourbon Barrel-Aged Wildflower Wheat - Aged for months in bourbon barrels.
• Boxing Bear Prickly Pear Gose - Tart wheat ale with prickly pear cactus fruit.
• Kaktus Helles Lager with Blue Corn - Made with indigenous New Mexican blue corn.
• High and Dry Hatch Chile Gose - Kettle sour with Hatch chiles from southern New Mexico.

Figuring out which breweries will release a specialty beer for the festival is part of the fun. You never know what creative flavors you may encounter when exploring the tents at the Santa Fe Beer Festival.

Festival Food Options

With all that beer tasting, you'll need to keep your stomach full of hearty grub. The Santa Fe Beer Festival brings in awesome local food trucks and restaurants to keep the hangry vibes away. Some of the culinary options found at recent festivals include:

• Holy Cow Burgers - Juicy burgers made from New Mexico beef.
• Rollin' In Dough Food Truck - Comforting grilled cheese sandwiches.
• Los Tapatios Taco Truck - Carne asada and al pastor street tacos.
• Jambo Cafe - Flavors of Africa like samosas and jollof rice bowls.
• Barbacoa Cuco - Tasty tacos filled with smoky barbacoa.
• Street Food Institute - Creative fusion dishes like Korean beef banh mi.

When it's time to take an eating break from beer sipping, you'll have your choice of stuffed burgers, juicy tacos, loaded fries, giant pretzels, and more. It's easy to graze on delicious festival food while making your way between the brewery tents.

Live Music and Entertainment

In addition to tons of great beer and food, the Santa Fe Beer Festival has continuous live music throughout the day across two stages. The entertainment features popular regional acts playing blues, rock, country and Americana tunes.

Pull up a seat at one of the stages or just stroll by and enjoy the music as you explore the festival. Some of the bands who have played recently include:

• Le Chat Lunatique - Gypsy jazz quintet from Albuquerque.
• The Porter Draw - Alt-country group out of Santa Fe.
• The Bus Tapes - Funky rock band from New Mexico.
• Alex Maryol Band - Bluesy guitarist and singer from Santa Fe.
• The Jir Project - Reggae and ska ensemble from Albuquerque.

The change of pace and mood from stage to stage gives you options catered to different tastes. Grab a tasty brew, find a spot near a stage, and let the local bands provide the perfect soundtrack for an afternoon of beer sipping.

Getting to the Santa Fe Beer Festival

The Santa Fe Railyard Park hosting the beer festival is conveniently located just south of downtown Santa Fe. Parking can fill up in the area, so consider taking public transportation or alternative options:

• Free festival shuttles from downtown parking garages
• Ride the Rail Runner commuter train from Albuquerque
• Take an Uber or Lyft
• Rent a bike and pedal over
• Stay at a downtown hotel and walk over

Arriving early when gates open at 1 pm will make parking and getting to the festival easier. Keep in mind the festival happens rain or shine, so plan accordingly if the weather looks iffy.

Lodging Options for the Festival

One of the best parts of visiting Santa Fe for the beer festival is experiencing the city's vibrant downtown and unique Southwestern charm. Many attendees make a weekend out of the festival by booking a hotel right in the heart of the action.

Popular lodging options within walking distance of the Railyard Park include:

• Inn of the Governors - Historic adobe-style hotel on West Alameda.
• Hotel Santa Fe - Stylish Hilton property with Native design.
• Inn on the Alameda - Southwestern elegance near Canyon Road galleries.
• Rosewood Inn - Beautiful bed & breakfast with courtyard.
• Silver Saddle Motel - Funky Route 66-era motel on Cerrillos Road.
• Sage Inn - Boutique hotel with contemporary Southwest decor.

Staying downtown lets you walk or take a short Uber to the festival, and enjoy Santa Fe's restaurants, nightlife, and culture without having to drive anywhere. Book well in advance since hotel rooms fill up fast for popular Santa Fe events.

Additional Things to Do in Santa Fe

While the Santa Fe Beer Festival could easily occupy your entire weekend, there are plenty of additional things to experience in the City Different if you have extra time. Here are some ideas to make the most of your visit:

• Wander through art galleries and museums along Canyon Road
• Take a day trip out to Bandelier National Monument and see the cliff dwellings
• Do some shopping and people watching on the Santa Fe Plaza downtown
• Ride the winding Turquoise Trail to Madrid and visit quirky shops
• Explore the vibrant Santa Fe Farmers Market on Saturday morning
• Visit Meow Wolf's immersive House of Eternal Return art experience
• Check out Santa Fe's lively restaurant and bar scene on a Friday night
• Take a hike in the Sangre de Cristo foothills or Dale Ball trails

With its rich culture, cuisine, and natural beauty, Santa Fe offers an incredible backdrop for a weekend beer festival getaway. Extend your stay to fully experience the city beyond just the Saturday festival.

Join the Festivities at the Santa Fe Beer Festival

For craft beer lovers, there's no better way to experience New Mexico's impressive beer scene than the annual Santa Fe Beer Festival. It's an opportunity to mingle with brewers, try innovative releases, savor local cuisine, and listen to great live music against the stunning high desert backdrop of Santa Fe.

Mark your calendars and book your hotel early for the Saturday, September 16, 2023 festival this year. Then get ready to discover new favorite breweries and beers alongside thousands of fellow beer enthusiasts in the beautiful and breezy Santa Fe autumn. Cheers to that!

FAQs

What are the dates for the Santa Fe Beer Festival?

The Santa Fe Beer Festival takes place every year on the third Saturday in September. For 2023, it will be held on September 16th.

What is included with my ticket?

A general admission ticket gets you access to unlimited tastings of beer, cider, and mead from 1 pm to 5 pm. You'll also get a souvenir tasting glass to take home.

Can I buy tickets at the gate?

Tickets are only sold online in advance of the festival. They usually go on sale 6-8 weeks before the event and often sell out completely.

Is the festival kid-friendly?

This is a 21+ event, so you must be over 21 to enter and have ID to show at the door. The festival is not kid or pet friendly.

What food is available at the festival?

There will be 15+ awesome local food trucks and restaurants onsite selling everything from burgers and tacos to giant pretzels and exotic fusion dishes.