Best Breweries in Albuquerque With Food
Want to know the best breweries in Albuquerque, New Mexico, with food? You’re in the right place! We’ve done our hands-on homework to find the finest breweries with flavorful food in the Albuquerque area.
New Mexican beers have won a slew of national and international awards. Although Santa Fe is home to New Mexico’s largest brewery (Santa Fe Brewing), Albuquerque boasts the highest number of breweries in the state. Our goal: Find the best beers in ABQ!
My husband Mike and I have been visiting Albuquerque for years and have discovered some pretty awesome craft beers, and, as is our custom, some pretty damn good food too. What could be better than great food and great beer in the same place?
We’ve come up with 2 lists of the best Albuquerque breweries. The first is the best breweries with food cooked on premises; the second list is the best breweries with food trucks.
A beautiful alleyway in Old Town Albuquerque, not far from many of the city’s best breweries
Best Breweries in Albuquerque, NM, with Food
Canteen Brewhouse
Eager to try some premium craft beer at a local brewery on the evening of our most recent arrival in Albuquerque, we headed to Canteen Brewhouse. It’s the oldest brewery in ABQ, dating back to 1994, so we felt confident there must be some good reasons behind its staying power. There are!
Canteen has won over 150 local, national, and international awards for their beers—including 13 Great American Beer Festival (GABF) medals and 5 World Beer Cup golds! This great brewery keeps about half a dozen of their standard favorites (most of them medal winners) on tap, along with a greater number of seasonal beer choices.
Mike and I sat outside on their expansive outdoor patio with plenty of fresh air and ample shade. We enjoyed not only their satisfying beer but their tasty food and great service. From their extensive menu, I chose their Frenchy Sandwich (smoked pork loin, caramelized onions, and melted Brie) and Mike had the Big Bavarian Brat. There’s not a lot of traditional New Mexican food, but both our choices were hits. What a great introduction to the ABQ beer scene!
Addresses: Brewhouse: 2381 Aztec Road NE, Albuquerque, NM 87107; Tap Room: 417 Tramway Boulevard NE, Albuquerque, NM 87123
A Frenchy Sandwich, Big Bavarian Brat, and cold brews at Canteen Brewhouse
Nexus Brewery + Restaurant
As a beer enthusiast and chef, I usually most enjoy a beer destination that has not only tasty beer coming out the taps but delicious eats coming out of the kitchen. So, it was a real pleasure to visit this award-winning craft brewery that is equally serious about making great food.
The kitchen focuses on what they call New Mexican soul food, a fusion of New Mexican flavors and elements of Southern cooking with a Creole accent. Their Cajun Chicken Chicharrones and New Mexican Hot Chicken are just two great examples of the cross-cultural creative cuisine that shakes up tradition to serve up new favorites.
The GABF gold-medal-winning Imperial Cream Ale should not be missed, whether you’re a cream ale fan or complete newbie to the style. But beware: Its smooth taste never hints at the fact that it weighs in at 9.3% ABV. This also has to be one of the best places in ABQ to savor a truly top-notch Scotch Ale.
Address: 4730 Pan American Freeway NE, Suite D, Albuquerque, NM 87109
Nexus Blue Smokehouse
The emphasis of this second Nexus location is on barbecue. A number of the New Mexican soul food options are available here, but smoked meats take center stage. The amazing food includes all the great BBQ options you would expect: brisket, pulled pork, pork ribs, chicken, and much more.
Mike and I enjoyed the impressive Enterprise. This sandwich features brisket, pulled pork, a hotlink, cole slaw, and green chile, all stacked on one bun. We also ordered the collard greens. Needless to say, we rounded things out with of couple of cold ones. What a treat for the taste buds!
In addition to the great food and beer selection, this Nexus offers craft cocktails too. Every brewery does things their own way, but it’s especially fun to find one where food is not an afterthought but a feature worthy of sharing the spotlight with the brews.
If you now have a hankering for bbq ribs, try our bbq rib recipe! First, read about the difference between St. Louis and baby back ribs.
Address: 1511 Broadway Boulevard SE, Albuquerque, NM 87102
The Enterprise Sandwich and Collard Greens backed up by some Imperial Cream Ales at Nexus Blue Smokehouse.
The 377 Brewery
The 377 is a small brewery that offers an oversized welcoming atmosphere to its diverse clientele. Located close to Albuquerque International Sunport (ABQ’s main airport, which gave Albuquerque its ABQ nickname), the University of New Mexico, and Kirtland Airforce Base, travelers, students, and Air Force personnel all find the spot a cozy watering hole.
Named in honor of Kirtland’s 377th Air Base Wing, the 377 is itself a high flyer, winning a double gold at the Denver International Beer Competition its very first year in business. Among the current batch of unique beers, the Fertile Myrtle is a real knockout—sometimes literally. This Belgian Quad is not only deeply complex with plenty of malt, it clocks in at 13.0% ABV!
The small menu offers burgers and salads, but really shines with its inventive desserts. The Raspberry Cheesecake Chimichanga is not something you see every day, and Fertile Myrtle makes a guest appearance in an impressive 3-scoop ice cream float that’s topped with a chocolate or caramel drizzle.
Address: 2027 Yale Boulevard SE, Albuquerque, NM 87106
Rio Bravo Brewing Company
Husband-and-wife team Randy and Denise Baker began their family-run brewery in 2015. They completely revamped the huge historic warehouse once owned by Firestone in the Wells Park area of Albuquerque.
Rio Bravo’s home now boasts a state-of-the-art brewery on the premises with windows that visitors can peek through to see the often behind-the-scenes beer-making process. And the process is working: Rio Bravo beers have taken home 9 medals in 6 different competitions in just the last 5 years.
But Rio Bravo is not just the perfect meeting place to try innovative beer styles with unique beer names. They also offer an extensive choice of favorite brewery foods, such as tacos, burgers, and sandwiches, 8 different type of chicken wings, and seafood options too. And the giant tasting room and spacious outdoor beer garden mean that there will always be room for you and your crew to enjoy your food and brew.
Address: 1912 Second Street NW, Albuquerque, NM 87102
A trio of tasty tacos and duo of delicious beers at Rio Bravo Brewing Company
La Reforma
La Reforma is the perfect spot to get a taste of old Mexico in New Mexico. This is exactly what owners Jeff Jinnett and John Gozigian envisioned when they launched their endeavor to celebrate their love of Mexican food, drink, and culture.
The food is an ode to Mexico City, with all recipes based on that city’s cuisine. Street tacos, burritos, quesadillas, and tortas clamor for your attention on the menu, with appealing appetizers and desserts available too.
And it’s no surprise that La Reforma would craft a pair of delicioso Mexican lagers: their La Ref traditional and Maximilian dark. However, a Belgian double wit, hazy IPA, and Bomba Scotch ale are just 3 of the additional styles that are made and poured here.
La Reforma also distills its own rum, vodka, and agave spirits—even a coffee liqueur. All of them find their way into delicious cocktail creations.
With authentic Mexican-style beer, food, and cocktails, who needs anything more to transform a visit to La Reforma into a mini fiesta?
Address: 8900 San Mateo Boulevard NE, Suite I, Albuquerque, NM 87113
Bombs Away Beer Company
John Degnaro served 14 years in the U.S. Air Force as an Explosive Ordnance Disposal Technician, and then decided it was time for a change—a radical change. So, he tapped into his passion for beer and opened a brewery and taproom.
His own hard work is on display throughout Bombs Away’s 10,000-square-foot facility. Almost everything you see on your visit was built by Degnaro, and the military-themed space is a salute to the hardworking people in the U.S. military and an expression of pride in America.
Degnaro also takes pride in the wide variety of flavorful beers made on the premises and poured from his 16 taps. Meanwhile, the kitchen offers up a short list of tasty snacks and a savory selection of sandwiches to satisfy any palette. Quenching your thirst and snuffing out hunger at this Skyline Heights location is a mission that’s a pleasure to accomplish.
Address: 9801 Acoma Road SE, Albuquerque, NM 87123
Red Door Brewing Company
Red Door opened its door in the heart of downtown Albuquerque back in 2014. Ever since, it’s been pleasing guests with fine beers, hard ciders, a full bar, and good food.
The year-round beers range from their light blonde and vanilla cream ales through an Irish red all the way to West Coast and New England IPAs. Seasonal beers rotate through at a good clip, so it’s a good idea to check Red Door’s social media to keep up with the everchanging.
A short list of pub-style bar foods includes burgers, sandwiches, and salads. The starters might be the most interesting choices. Crispy breaded cheese curds are a bit outside the box for New Mexico, and the Dirty Fries come with a pile-up of avocado, bacon, diced tomatoes, red onions, green chiles, and a tangy special sauce.
Address: 509 Central Avenue NW, Albuquerque, NM 87102
A refreshing pour at Red Door Brewing Company in downtown Albuquerque, New Mexico
Bosque Brewing Company
Bosque opened in 2012 in Albuquerque, and it seems like they’ve been on a growth tear ever since. They now have 3 public houses throughout greater Albuquerque, in addition to their Restoration Pizza Restaurant in town. And that doesn’t include their 2 public houses in Las Cruces.
One reason for their appeal is the wide variety of well-received craft beers they produce. And they continually add to their award-winning line-up.
Amid the many crowd favorites among their year-round brews are Pistol Pete’s blonde ale, the Riverwalker IPA, and the Open Space hazy IPA. Mike was also enthused about the Bosque Lager he tried at a restaurant in Santa Fe before coming to ABQ, and he was not at all surprised to later learn it won a GABF silver back in 2016.
The food choices are wide ranging as well. Such diverse options as Thai Mussels, Jambalaya, and Green Chile Falafel Bites share the menu with more conventional but ably executed picks like pulled pork and buffalo chicken sandwiches, wings, and tacos—among many other items. There’s truly something for everyone.
Addresses: Nob Hill Public House: 106 Girard Boulevard SE, Suite B, Albuquerque, NM 87106; Cottonwood Public House: 10250 Cottonwood Park NW, Albuquerque, NM 87114; Heights Public House: 5210 Eubank Boulevard NE, Albuquerque, NM 87111
Starr Brothers Brewing Company
No list of Albuquerque breweries would be complete without Starr Brothers Brewing Company. This award-winning craft brewery has a full kitchen that puts out an award-winning burger. The Starr Burger consists of an Akaushi beef patty loaded with bacon, pepper jack cheese, green chiles, tomato, onion, and green chile aioli on a brioche bun.
Wash it down with the brewer’s favorite, the Starfire Pilsner. Kick back in the laid-back atmosphere and watch a game on one of the seven flat-screen TVs. Sip on a Scottish Amber Ale for desert and savor the caramel notes.
Address: 5700 San Antonio Drive NE, B1, Albuquerque, NM 87109
Tractor Brewing Company — Wells Park
Tractor Brewing Company has multiple locations, but head to the Wells Park neighborhood for their new food outlet, Taste of Love. Not your typical pub grub, the small menu leans Italian. Choices include stuffed mushrooms, paninis, and charcuterie boards, but they still celebrate Taco Tuesday!
With farm-oriented beer names like Farmer’s Tan Red Ale, Acreage IPA, and Haymaker Honey Wheat, you know someone here has a sense of humor. Yet, with multiple awards for both ciders and beers, they definitely take brewing seriously.
Tractor is more than a great brewery. It offers a multitude of fun-filled events. From Vinyl Nights to Monday Madness happy hour to Beer Yoga (first Sunday of every month), this is a brewery Albuquerque can always find a good reason to visit.
Address: 1800 4th Street NW, Albuquerque, NM 87102
The award-winning Berry Cider and Haystack Honey Wheat at Tractor Brewing Company
Ponderosa Brewing Company
Today’s ABQ Sawmill District was once the heart of the New Mexico timber industry. But when logging dried up in the late 1980s, the area was all but abandoned.
Luckily, in 2014, Ponderosa Brewing opened its doors and became a cornerstone of the revitalization of the Sawmill District. What’s more, its name honors the beautiful Ponderosa pines that once covered the nearby Sandia Mountain Range and provided the lumber that fed the mills.
Today, Ponderosa is still going strong, producing tasty beers and serving up satisfying food. Beers run from the seasonals to classics, and include the 2021 GABF Gold-Medal Italian Pilsner. The food menu tends to hearty fare, with lots of burgers, meaty sandwiches, and reliable go-to starters. The Green Chile “Beer” Cheese Burger is a winner. To round out the options, Ponderosa has a full bar, with a tempting list of specialty drinks.
Address: 1761 Bellamah Avenue NW, Albuquerque, NM 87104
Best ABQ Breweries with Food Trucks
You don’t need a kitchen to have delicious food on-site. All of the ABQ breweries below partner with local food trucks to cater to their clientele. You can see which trucks will be where on each brewery’s website.
La Cumbre Brewing Company
In Spanish, La Cumbre means “pinnacle” or “peak,” hence their tagline, “Get Elevated.” And for hop lovers, what better way to do it than with La Cumbre’s award winning Elevated IPA. This hop-forward IPA rates a whopping 100 on the IBU scale.
Although this Albuquerque brewery is best known for its hoppy IPA, La Cumbre brewery also serves an array of seasonal brews and year-round staples that are much lower in bitterness. If that’s more your style, the Slice of Hefen is a fine craft beer that may be more to your taste.
Address: 3313 Girard Boulevard NE, Albuquerque, NM 87107
The outdoor patio and food truck at La Cumbre Brewing Company, in Albuquerque, NM
High and Dry Brewing
After a long day, the locals come to High and Dry Brewing, where there’s always something happening. Whether you like competing at trivia, listening to great music, or belting it out on open-mic night, this Albuquerque microbrewery has you covered.
Come hang out with neighbors or complete strangers and work your way through the ever-changing beer menu. From light lagers to strong stouts, you can count on a variety of styles on offer.
Address: 529 Adams Street NE, Albuquerque, NM 87108
Marble Brewery
A local favorite for “unabashedly bold beer,” Marble Brewery has also been favored by judges of the Great American Beer Festival and World Beer Cup for their Pilsner, Double White, and Cholo Stout. But there’s so much more to try at this ABQ taproom!
Marble is not just another Albuquerque beer place! In addition to a wide variety of classic beers, Marble produces a yummy line of hard seltzers and New Mexican spirits. And there’s always at least one seasonal beer on tap.
The large outside patio at their flagship downtown location encourages you to linger. Play a game of corn hole or listen to the live music when scheduled.
Address: 111 Marble Avenue NW, Albuquerque, NM 87102
Murals decorate the patio at Albuquerque’s Marble Brewery.
Gravity Bound Brewing Company
Striving to be the most environmentally-friendly brewery in Albuquerque, Gravity Bound Brewing has a roof mounted with solar panels. This brewery also collects rain water, grows some of its own ingredients, and incorporated recycled tires, bottles, and used cars into the design of their building.
One of the smaller Albuquerque microbreweries, Gravity Bounds brews just 5 barrels at a time. They use only natural ingredients, and the beers are never filtered or rushed. Unique craft beers include Crumbling Blues (tastes like blueberry cobbler) and S’more Over (a collaboration with Slow Burn Coffee.) I was all over the S’more Over; this coconut s’more coffee sour gets my vote for the best sour beer in Albuquerque.
Address: 816 3rd Street NW, Albuquerque, NM 87102
Bow & Arrow Brewing
Bow & Arrow Brewing owns the title “first Native American woman-owned brewery in the U.S.” However, that’s not what makes it one of the best Albuquerque breweries. It was the beer that convinced me!
Turns out, I’m not the only one who’s been convinced. Bow & Arrow won a bronze medal at the North American Brewers Association competition in 2022 with their Foederland Farmhouse Saison. (A foeder is a basically a big barrel for aging beer.)
The tap menu rotates with the seasons (I’m partial to the fall Marzens). Reliably, the Scenic West Hazy IPA and Denim Tux Pilsner seem to always be available.
Address: 608 McKnight Avenue NW, Albuquerque, NM 87102
The classy, capacious confines of Bow & Arrow Brewery, the first Native American woman-owned brewery in the United States
Tips for Visiting Albuquerque Breweries
We’ve visited some of the best beer cities in America, many this year, and many multiple times. You might even say we gladly go far from home for local brews. Some of our favorite spots include Denver, CO (most breweries per capita); Golden, CO (home of the largest U.S. brewer); and Portland, OR (CNN’s pick for the best beer city).
A few tips for tasting that we’ve learned along the way:
Check the brewery website for hours, beer menus, and food menus/food truck schedules. They all seem to change from season to season and sometimes more often than that.
If you don’t know what you’d like, consider a flight or small tastes. Most breweries offer them, so even if you don’t see the option on the menu, ask.
Look at the stats for the beers you’re considering. Sometimes that can help you pick. I tend to like low-hop beer, so I choose beers low in IBU (international bitterness units).
Cheers!
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