The_NM_TX

  One of the things I learned about breweries while living in Denver is that they can be anywhere, and usually the best ones are off the beaten path. Thankfully the same is true in New Mexico and I discovered that early on in my residency here. This is no truer than in the small town of Corrales where amongst a lot of farms lies an awesome brewery with a beautiful space, a wide variety of beer, and some great food truck options. Originally from Portland, but now with a location in the founder’s home town, Ex Novo is a great brewery with a great mission to give back to the community. So naturally it’s a must visit.  When you first drive to this brewery the first thing to do is pay attention, because it is easy to miss in the beauty of this town. But once you park it is nothing short of amazing how spacious this brewery is. The tasting room is in an old gas station with some seating on the inside. But the patio is spacious with plants everywhere that creates a relaxing environ...

  When I first moved here and was looking for things to do one place I initially went was to the book stores. I have always loved looking through the local section at bookstores to find books specific to the area. Thankfully, there is not a lack of that in New Mexico, and I have found myself reading lots about not only Albuquerque, but New Mexico in general. This state has so much to offer and teach, and thankfully we have some great local authors to share that. Here are a couple books I’ve read so far that were both entertaining, and informative.  Albuquerque Beer Duke City History on Tap: Author Chris Jackson does a great job of bringing the history of beer to life, while also profiling the current breweries and their stories. He details the early struggles prior to the railroad expansion, the real struggle of prohibition, and how New Mexico created their own craft beer scene through a lot of perseverance. It is amazing to read about how these breweries transformed to con...

  When I first moved down here and discovered the local wine scene there were a few aspects of it that surprised me. The first was how many wineries there are, and the other which I also enjoy is how close the wineries are to Albuquerque. The last is that without the Spanish wine production might not exist in New Mexico. So, in one of my favorite towns, Los Ranchos it was a pleasant surprise to me to not only find a beautiful winery, but one that make high quality Spanish styles wines. So, when I am in that area it is always on my list to stop by Casa Rondena Winery.  When you first drive up to this building it is amazing how beautiful it is. Guests drive right along the vineyards, and are greeted by a massive, beautiful Spanish style house. The outside alone is worth dozens of photos, but then step inside the tasting room and the beauty does not stop. The high ceilings are wood with beams, and the highlight is a massive chandelier that draws the eye up. In addition, there i...

  One thing that continues to amaze me about living in New Mexico is how rich in history it is. The other aspect I love about it is how you can choose to experience the history. There are historical sights everywhere, and thankfully there is not a lack of museums as well. So, thankfully for a history buff like me the options are limitless on how I can enjoy the history of this state. Recently I decided to start visiting some of the museums in the area, and more importantly ones that are specific to New Mexico. Here are a couple of my favorites so far. Indian Pueblo Cultural Center: This museum I was looking forward to visit, and once I arrived there, I realized that it is a great place for fans of history, art, and even food. The large adobe rounded exterior takes you around the building and into the entrance. After paying my small admission I made my way out to a courtyard where I was surrounded by massive murals representing the various tribes. Once inside the museum there are...