Exploring Albuquerque Breweries: My Self-Guided Brewery Tour
When I found out I’d be traveling to Albuquerque, NM for work, I had no idea it was such a hotspot for breweries! As someone who loves visiting breweries on my travels, I was thrilled to discover just how many Albuquerque breweries there are to explore. Although I only had a couple of days in town, I made sure to check out a few local favorites from the long list of options. Whether you’re a craft beer enthusiast or just enjoy the laid-back vibe of a local brewery, Albuquerque’s beer scene won’t disappoint!
I formulated my personal brewery tour by first finding the brewery closest to my hotel (Gravity Bound) and then asking the bartenders for their recommendations. There were so many recommendations I couldn’t possibly visit them all, but I took note and hit as many of them as I had time for. The list of breweries below are in the order in which I visited them.
Gravity Bound Brewery: A Small, Local, and Tourist Favorite
- Location: 816 3rd ST NW, Albuquerque, NM 87102
If you’re staying near the convention center or civic plaza, like I was, this is a super easy walk! - What I Loved: Although this brewery is pretty small, everyone (and I mean everyone!) said it was one of their top favorites in town! It had a small, close-knit, everyone-welcome vibe.
- Must-Try Beer: The selection is very minimal, but they have perfected what they’ve got. Try them all!
- Fun Fact: The bathrooms at Gravity Bound are super unique, you gotta check em out while you’re there (: Also, They’ve publically committed to being sustainable and supporting the local community, which is pretty cool!
- Pro Tip: This brewery hosts events such as Trivia Night and live music so check out their schedule to specifically attend or avoid these events!
Marble Brewery: A Huge Venue for Indoor or Outdoor Gatherings
- Location: There are three Marble Brewery locations, but I visited the 111 Marble Ave NW, Albuquerque, NM 87102 location because it was just a short walk away from Gravity Bound!
- What I Loved: So much to love about this place!
For one, it’s HUGE! With a nice outdoor concert space out front to the massive rooftop bar and patio, this is a great place to have an event or bring a large group of friends.
Secondly, the staff were all amazing. I had to use the restroom and asked the bartenders to watch my beer for me and they happily took it, covered it and moved it away from the bar while I was gone. As a solo-female traveler, that kindness and understanding made me feel so good. - Must-Try Beer: Literally all of them! They have a huge menu and there is something for everyone. I taste-tested 11 different beers while I was there and liked all of them (which is super rare)!
- Pro Tip: Parking can be pretty tricky here. There’s free on-street parking in front of and around the block, but with a venue so large, I ended up having to park pretty far away. If you’re coming from or going to Gravity, walk between the two and leave your car in one spot!
Ponderosa Brewery: Lively, Restaurant Feel
- Location: 1761 Bellamah Ave NW, Albuquerque, NM 87104 – Close to The Sawmill and Old Town
- Why 3 Stars: Location-wise, this place was great. It was next to the Natural Science and History Museum and the Sawmill. The atmosphere was just okay. It looked cute when you got inside and the outdoor seating area was cute, but it was SUPER loud and the outdoor area was closed. The venue echoes a lot so even just having a small crowd makes it really loud. I didn’t like that at all. The staff was also just okay. They were conversational, but it felt incredibly forced and unnatural. Lastly, I tried 2 beers here and didn’t really like either of them. I didn’t eat the food, but people at the bar around me ordered and their food did look pretty good.
- Must-Try Beer: None :/ As mentioned above, I only had two and I didn’t like either of them.
If I am ever back in Albuquerque, this is definitely one I’ll skip revisiting. There are just too many great options.
Tractor Brewery: Fun and Eclectic Brewery
- Location: There are three locations around Albuquerque. I visited the Nob Hill Brewery at 118 Tulane Dr. SE, Albuquerque, NM 87106.
- What I Loved: The slogan of the place is “Get Plowed” and I thought that was hilarious considering their tractor theme. The beer names are all on par too. I loved the shape of the bar and that it was in the middle of the room which created a lively, welcoming atmosphere.
- Must-Try Beer: I really like the Half Acre Hefe and the Farmers Tan!
- Consider: The three locations have very different vibes so google them and decide which one you’d prefer to visit.
Bosque Brewery: Laid-Back, Relaxed and Great for Groups
- Location: I think there are 4 Bosque Brewery locations around Albuquerque. I visited the one at 106 Girard Blvd SE B, Albuquerque, NM 87106 in the heart of the Nob Hill neighborhood.
- The Experience: I gave this place four stars because parking is a nightmare and once inside, I immediately ordered dinner and it didn’t arrive until almost 45 minutes later! The servers were kind, but only checked on me once the entire time I was there. However, I would be happy to give the place a second chance because the beer is great and the location seemed fun. There were pinball machines!
- Must-Try Beer: Elephants on Parade is a standout—it’s fruity and flavorful, with just the right balance of sweetness. It’s actually the only beer I drank twice while visiting Albuquerque breweries!
I didn’t get any photos of the inside because this place was PACKED and it was rather dark inside. I didn’t want to disturb the other customers, but here’s a photo of the burger I ordered. Despite it taking forever to arrive, it was pretty tasty.
Other Breweries Recommended by Locals (That I’ll Have to Hit Next Time!)
- Ex Novo Brewing: Known for its socially-conscious brewing and great ambiance.
- Boxing Bear Brewery: Award-winning beers with a casual, family-friendly vibe.
- Flock of Moons Brewery: A smaller, up-and-coming spot making a name for themselves with innovative brews.
- Thirsty Eye Brewery: Combines beer with art, creating an atmosphere that’s fun and inspiring.
- Santa Fe Brewing (Albuquerque Taproom): A must-visit for fans of classic craft beers from the area.
- Bow and Arrow Brewery: Owned by Native American women, they offer a unique cultural experience alongside excellent beers.
Honorable Mention: A Quick Trip to Santa Fe’s Second Street Brewery
I couldn’t resist taking a day trip up to Santa Fe, and I happened upon Second Street while visiting the incredibly busy and overwhelming Santa Fe Farmer’s Market.
- Location: 1607 Paseo De Peralta #10, Santa Fe, NM 87501
- What I Loved: The first thing I noticed was all the sunlight. This place is really bright and airy and I enjoyed the actual space. Second, all the visitors were so chatty and kind! Everyone sparked up conversation with every newcomer that came to sit at the bar. It was very welcoming and I found myself feeling a little sad when I had to leave.
- Must-Try Beer: I didn’t have much time here so I only tried one beer, but I had the Ague Fria Pilsner and enjoyed it.
- The Food: Apparently Second Street has the best fish and chips, so of course I had to try it. I was not disappointed by the recommendation one bit!
Final Tips for Touring Albuquerque Breweries
- Plan Ahead: Visiting breweries isn’t all about trying the beers, sometimes it’s cool to learn about how it’s made. If you’re interested in brewery tours, visit each individual brewery’s website for their schedules.
- Stay Safe: If you’re planning to visit several breweries in one day, consider using rideshare apps to get around. Use my discount codes below to get a discount on your next ride using lyft or uber.
- RideShare Discount Codes:
UBER – azv6ata6jk2y
LYFT – Katelynn804354
- RideShare Discount Codes:
- Bring Friends (or Go Solo!): Breweries are great for both group outings and solo adventures. Plus, it’s easy to strike up conversations with fellow beer lovers. My entire trip was solo and I always found someone to talk to at the bar!
- Rate your beers on Untapped: I love this app! It allows you to look up where breweries are, what they have on their menu, and rate the beers that you’ve tried at different locations. You can download the app here.
Wrapping Up My Self-Guided Brewery Tour
Albuquerque is overflowing with great breweries, and my self-guided tour barely scratched the surface. The city’s beer scene is diverse, welcoming, and packed with unique spots that I would be happy to visit again. Cheers to Albuquerque’s craft beer culture and all the staff that made visiting Albuquerque breweries an awesome pastime for me during my visit.
If you’re looking to explore more things to do in Albuquerque, there are lots of great options. Of course, Albuquerque is known for its hot air balloon tours, but you can also take a walking tour of Historic Old Town or have an exhilarating night at a Murder Mystery Dinner show. Click any of the links below to visit Viator.com and see what Albuquerque, NM has to offer.
I am working on writing up more content from my recent trip to Albuquerque, NM now, so stay tuned for more! I’ll link the following posts soon (:
- Beautiful Murals in Albuquerque, NM: My Self-Guided Tour
- Best Hikes in Albuquerque, New Mexico: Trails for Every Adventurer
- Best Museums in Albuquerque: Balloons, Rattlesnakes, and Bombs
- A Cozy and Thoughtful Airbnb in Albuquerque, NM: Casita Bonita
- 5 Must-Visit Restaurants in Albuquerque
- Sandia Peak Tramway Experience
- My Full Albuquerque, NM Trip Itinerary
- and more!
Katelynn is a Texas-based writer and travel enthusiast who makes the most of her time exploring new destinations while balancing a full-time 9-5 job. She has visited 12 countries and 27 U.S. states. She describes herself as a weekend warrior and shares her passion for travel, outdoor adventures, and solo journeys on her blog, KatelynnOutLoud.
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So many great breweries. I love the names of most of the beers. Visiting breweries is a fun way to explore an area.
It’s a great way to meet some locals and hear about places to visit you may not have found during your google search too!
I would have guessed Albuquerque NM to be a hotspot for breweries. With a lost like that you could drink at a new place every day for weeks. Cheers thanks for the pist
That is such a good way to find the best options – go to one and ask the bartenders!! We did a similar thing once when we made our own wine tour – asked staff at each winery what their favorites are – then make a list. 🙂
Gravity Bound and Marvel both sound fabulous, but it sounds like Albuquerque has plenty of great breweries
yes! It’s such a great way to learn about a new place. The locals are usually pretty excited to welcome and give visitors advice on where to eat, stay, and what to do!
I’m not a fan of beer but I like hanging out anywhere there’s fun, your brewery tour picks look like fun cool places. Thanks for sharing
Lots of breweries have card and board games around for visitors to enjoy being together whether they’re beer drinkers or not! I’ve been to a bunch of breweries that also have GREAT food! Many of them are fun places for everyone (:
Great guide! Even though I’m not a huge beer fan, I wouldn’t miss a brewery tour. It’d be so cool to see how beer is made and try the finished product. Thanks for the helpful tips!
If you’re ever in Boston, the Sam Adams brewery tour is excellent! Whether you like beer or not, it’s really educational and the staff there LOVE their jobs. They’re fun and you can tell they all really love what they do! (: