Like a lot of places throughout the country, New Mexico’s craft beer has become a matter of state pride. A lot of our breweries are known for their West Coast style IPAs, but these summer seasonals are way more palatable for those long, hot summer nights.

Fievre d’Abricot

La Cumbre Brewing
ABV 7.5 IBU 25

I’ve been religiously waiting for this saison to come back ever since it made its debut a few years ago. With delightful apricot notes, La Cumbre’s second run of this beer is more balanced with hints of banana and apricot sweetness and a slightly bitter, hoppy finish.



L.A. Woman
Starr Brothers Brewing
ABV 5.6 IBU 16

This beer was crazy easy to drink! Gorgeously light with some citrus notes and malty sweetness. Is it weird to be semi-obsessed with a beer? Maybe next time I’ll just order two.

Blonde Honey IPA
Desert Valley Brewing Co.
ABV 5.8 IBU 12

When my waitress sat the glass of Blonde Honey IPA down in front of me, the glass glowed a shade of amber that I’d never seen before. After my first sip, I was blown away. This beer does not disappoint. Honey sweetened with a floral aroma, I was surprised at how refreshing this beer was—it turned me into an IPA believer.

Passionate Gose Sour
Marble Brewery
ABV 6.6 IBU 8

Yes, I like fruit beers in the summer, sue me. This beautifully fruity and bright sour ale is just plain refreshing and good. 

Savage Times Sour IPA
Bow & Arrow Brewing
ABV 5.8 IBU 30

I like IPAs that have a little more fruit flavor to them. I know it's not a popular opinion, but I think that more sweetness adds to balance the bitterness of the hops better. This IPA brings the flavor with notes of citrus, pineapple, and guava. 

Non-Seasonal Shoutouts
I got to show love to those beers that are around all year, but are particularly thirst-quenching in the summer.

Haymaker Honey Wheat
Tractor Brewing Co.
ABV 6.0 IBU 11

Light and balanced with a slight honey aroma, this crisp beer strikes a glorious balance of sweet, from the (New Mexican) honey, and hoppy, that had me ordering a second glass. But, hey, it was for research.

Monk’s Wit
Abbey Brewing Co.
ABV 5.4 IBU 17

One word comes to mind when I think of Monk’s Wit: refreshing. It’s one of those beers that you drink when you’re trying to cool off cause your swamp cooler broke again. I’m not getting on the roof. I’m drinking a Monk’s Wit.