Location:
Albuquerque, NM
(505) 872.0225
Brews:
South Peak Pilsner
Pyramid Rock Pale Ale
Elevated IPA
Malpais Stout
Seasonal brews on a rotating basis. Call to find out what's available.
La Cumbre Brewery:
The brewery is the result of owner Jeff Erway's love of a good brew, and his journey from beer lover to beer brewer (who still loves his beer, of course). Whenever he traveled with his wife, Erway sought out breweries. First, they cut their taste buds in the states, developing their palate and knowledge, and then they branched out to sample the fare and brew process in Europe. On a trip to Arizona, Jeff picked up a book on how to brew your own beer, and the future unfolded from there.
Erway got his start in large brewcrafting at Chama River Brewing in Albuquerque and in late 2009 opened La Cumbre. The brewery is situated in an industrial part of Albuquerque just north of Candelaria. The yellow metal building is neighbor to heavy industrial equipment companies and corporate headquarters, but feels like a neighborhood bar nonetheless.
La Cumbre's brewery is in the back, while the front features a two story bar that is already a favorite stop along the way for Albuquerque beerophiles. In addition to the regular brews listed above, La Cumbre creates seasonal ales. The day we visited, Three Legged Dog was available, and my companion deemed it delicious.
The long wooden bar has a classroom sized blackboard behind it listing available beers. In addition to the La Cumbre line, other local breweries are on tap, to include Marble Brewery.
A cut off wooden beer cask in the wall contains several taps. The beer cask motif repeats itself throughout the bar like a well played song, with beer casks standing in as table tops. Beer bottles complete the theme, as they line beams, chandeliers and even serve as "spokes" to a "wagon wheel." I enjoyed La Cumbre's homage to all things beer, from its creation to the equipment along the way.
La Cumbre is a family friendly place, and has a top notch foosball table for entertainment. They also have a pool table upstairs. There are plenty of small tables to sit by and relax.
La Cumbre is a dog friendly place, notwithstanding the Three Legged Dog ale. The day we visited, we became friends with two goldens and two Italian mastiff "pups" that were the size of small scooters.
La Cumbre welcomes visitors with a friendly wag, whether it comes from the dogs, the great beer, or the fun atmosphere. If you enjoy beer, this is a must do stop along the way.
