Beer, Beer, Lotsa Beer!

 Day 5 -- August 3, 2021

We are making progress -- finally getting to New Mexico.  In the high plains, it is 56 degrees at 7a -- we asked for it and we got it -- cooler weather.  Continuing our journey at 10:15a, we pass lots of vineyards, and fields of hay, cotton and corn.  

Disappointly we have to drive over some really rough roads, much like the washboard effect near Chicken, Alaska.    Passing through Clovis NM, we see a sign for elevation of 4200 feet, then Melrose is even higher at 4600.

Now we begin a descent down the hill....

Wanting to get on to our next destination, we skip stopping to see Billy the Kid's grave and museum.  And as we get into really heavy rain, we are glad to be less than half a mile from a rest area.

Heading on toward Albuquerque, we begin another rapid descent in elevation, seeing lots of beautiful scenery and varied terrain.  

I love the art seen as we drive under the overpasses.

We arrive to our second Harvest Host facility, Starr Brothers Brewery in Albuquerque, and at Happy Hour time we check out the tasting room.  It is pretty crowded, but we find a socially distanced table, and our waitress soon comes to take our order.

The brewery advertises 'Artfully crafted beers that are brewed especially for you by our award-winning brewer, Rob Whitlock.' 

I order Brown Chicken Brown Cow, a double brown ale rated at 18 IBU, and described as a malty beer that uses its hop flavor to complement and enhance its chocolate and caramel characters.

Herb chooses Starr Struck, American IPA rated at 75 IBU, and described as a bitter moderately strong American pale ale that uses its clean, supporting malt to showcase its hop character.

Our waitress is very, very busy, hardly seeming to stop to catch her breath.

We are excited to visit a craft brewery in another state, and bring home to our son-in-law Ed and friend Jesse a beer they have not tried.  So I ask the waitress if they have cans or bottles we can bring home, and she says "Yes, we bottle on demand, and I'll get some ready for you right now."  Ed had given me a list of four that he and Jesse would like.

Yikes!!! 

She brings them out as we are ready to leave and I am surprised to see 32 oz. crowlers, not 12 oz. cans.  Fortunately, we have room in the refrigerator of Sweet Georgia Brown for them.

Willie of Sweet Georgia Brown

   and of Walldog and Willie

   August 3, 2021