If you've spent any time in New Mexico's craft beer scene, you know we take our IPAs seriously. Every summer, that passion reaches a fever pitch during the New Mexico IPA Challenge — a statewide competition that's part beer festival, part friendly rivalry, and entirely delicious. This isn't your typical beer fest with hundreds of random pours. It's a focused, community-driven celebration of what New Mexico breweries do best: craft exceptional India Pale Ales.
Whether you're a hophead hunting for your next favorite brew or a curious newcomer wondering what all the fuss is about, this guide will walk you through everything you need to know about the NM IPA Challenge.
What Is the New Mexico IPA Challenge?
The New Mexico IPA Challenge began as a grassroots competition among Albuquerque breweries, born from the same competitive-but-collaborative spirit that defines New Mexico's brewing community. The concept is beautifully simple: participating breweries each submit their flagship or seasonal IPA, and these beers go head-to-head in blind tastings held at rotating host taprooms throughout July.
Unlike judged competitions where professionals pick winners, the New Mexico IPA Challenge puts the power in the hands of the people. You — the beer drinker — taste unmarked samples and vote for your favorites. It's democracy in its most delicious form.
The competition typically runs over two to three weekends, with different host locations each year. Past venues have included established taprooms like Canteen Brewhouse, Bow & Arrow Brewing, and Steel Bender Brewyard, though the lineup changes annually to give different breweries a chance to showcase their spaces.
The Perennial Powerhouses
Certain breweries have become synonymous with the New Mexico IPA Challenge, showing up year after year with crowd-pleasing entries that consistently rank among the favorites.
**La Cumbre Brewing Company** essentially wrote the book on New Mexico IPAs. Their Elevated IPA has been a local standard-bearer since the brewery opened in 2010, and it regularly appears in the Challenge lineup. Brewed with Cascade, Centennial, and Columbus hops, Elevated IPA delivers classic West Coast characteristics — piney, citrusy, and balanced — that have earned it a permanent spot in many New Mexicans' refrigerators. La Cumbre's taproom on Buena Vista Drive in Albuquerque often serves as a host location, where the brewery's multiple awards (including several Great American Beer Festival medals) create an atmosphere of friendly intimidation for competitors.
**Bosque Brewing** brings serious hop firepower with their IPA entries. Their Bosque IPA, a straightforward American IPA showcasing Simcoe and Chinook hops, represents the brewery's commitment to approachable, well-executed styles. What makes Bosque particularly interesting in the Challenge is their willingness to experiment — they've entered different IPA variants in different years, from their standard offering to rotating seasonal IPAs that showcase experimental hop varieties. With multiple taproom locations including their original Bernalillo spot and their Nob Hill location on Central Avenue, Bosque has the infrastructure to both participate and occasionally host Challenge events.
**Marble Brewery** rounds out the big three with their signature IPA, a beer that's been delighting Albuquerque drinkers since Marble opened in the Marble Arts District in 2008. Marble's approach tends toward the balanced and sessionable, with their IPA clocking in at a reasonable ABV that doesn't sacrifice flavor. Their downtown taproom on Marble Avenue, with its spacious patio and neighborhood vibe, has hosted Challenge tastings in past years, creating a laid-back environment perfect for thoughtful sampling.
**Santa Fe Brewing Company** deserves mention as another consistent competitor. As New Mexico's oldest operating craft brewery (founded in 1988), they bring both heritage and innovation to the table. Their IPA entries have varied over the years, but their commitment to using New Mexico ingredients when possible gives their beers a distinctive sense of place that resonates with Challenge voters.
How the Tasting Works
Attending a New Mexico IPA Challenge tasting is straightforward and designed to be inclusive for both beer geeks and casual fans. Here's what to expect:
When you arrive at a host taproom, you'll typically pay an entry fee (usually $20-30) that covers your tasting flight and voting privileges. You'll receive a flight of small pours — usually 3-4 ounces each — representing the competing IPAs. Each sample is identified only by a number or letter; brewery names are kept secret until after voting concludes.
You'll also get a ballot (paper or sometimes digital via QR code) where you rank your favorites. Most years use a simple scoring system: rank your top three choices, with first place receiving the most points.
The blind tasting format is crucial to the Challenge's integrity. Without knowing which brewery made which beer, voters judge purely on taste, aroma, and overall enjoyment. It's not uncommon for someone to discover their new favorite IPA is from a brewery they'd never tried before — or to realize that their usual go-to doesn't hold up as well as they thought when stripped of brand loyalty.
Tastings typically run for several hours (often 2-6 PM on Saturdays), giving you plenty of time to sample thoughtfully, compare notes with friends, and enjoy the host taproom's atmosphere. Most venues also offer food — either from their own kitchen or visiting food trucks — because responsible beer tasting requires proper sustenance.
Beyond the Big Names: Dark Horses and Discoveries
While La Cumbre, Bosque, and Marble grab headlines, the New Mexico IPA Challenge has become a platform for smaller and newer breweries to prove themselves. This is where the blind tasting format really shines.
**Dialogue Brewing**, the small-batch operation in the Wells Park neighborhood, has surprised voters with entries that punch well above the brewery's size. Their focus on meticulously crafted, hop-forward beers means they show up prepared to compete with the big dogs.
**Nexus Brewery** in Albuquerque's International District has used the Challenge to introduce their IPAs to drinkers who might not otherwise venture to their taproom. Their participation demonstrates how the event functions as both competition and marketing opportunity — a chance to reach new customers through the power of a well-made beer.
Even breweries from outside Albuquerque participate when possible. **Red Door Brewing** in Albuquerque's Northeast Heights and **Boxing Bear Brewing** have both brought strong entries that reminded voters that excellent IPAs aren't confined to the downtown corridor.
Visitor Tips for Maximum Enjoyment
**Pace Yourself**: With multiple IPAs to taste, each offering different hop profiles and ABVs, sipping slowly is crucial. Use the provided water and crackers or palate cleansers between samples. This isn't a race — it's an exploration.
**Take Notes**: Before voting, jot down quick notes about each beer. What aromas do you detect? How's the bitterness balanced with malt sweetness? Which finish lingers pleasantly? These notes will help when you're ranking your favorites and might reveal patterns in what you enjoy.
**Go Early or Late**: Mid-afternoon often brings the biggest crowds. Arriving right when doors open gives you space and quiet for focused tasting. Alternatively, showing up in the final hour means shorter lines, though some host taprooms may start running low on certain pours.
**Make It a Day**: Many Challenge host locations are in brewery-dense neighborhoods. The Marble Arts District downtown, for instance, puts you within walking distance of multiple taprooms. Plan to explore before or after your tasting session.
**Bring Friends**: Beer judging is more fun as a group activity. Compare notes, debate flavor profiles, and argue good-naturedly about which IPA deserves top honors. Just remember: everyone's palate is different, and there are no wrong answers.
**Hydrate and Eat**: This cannot be overstated. Drinking multiple IPAs, even in small pours, requires proper hydration and food. Most Challenge events run during lunch or early dinner hours specifically to encourage eating.
The Announcement and Aftermath
Results are typically announced within a week or two of the final tasting, often via social media and the participating breweries' websites. The winner earns bragging rights for the year — and you can bet they'll put "NM IPA Challenge Winner" on their tap handles, marketing materials, and social media.
But here's the beautiful thing about the New Mexico IPA Challenge: winning isn't really the point. The competition strengthens the entire community. Breweries push each other to improve. Drinkers discover new favorites. And everyone walks away with a deeper appreciation for the craft and creativity happening in New Mexico's brewhouses.
After the Challenge concludes, visit the breweries whose IPAs impressed you. Many participants offer Challenge specials or keep their competition beers on tap through the summer. La Cumbre's taproom on Buena Vista is open daily (typically noon-10 PM weekdays, until 11 PM weekends). Bosque's various locations maintain similar hours, with their Bernalillo original offering a more spacious, family-friendly environment. Marble's downtown taproom keeps afternoon-to-evening hours perfect for post-work pints.
Why the New Mexico IPA Challenge Matters
In an era of hazy IPAs, milkshake IPAs, and every other variation imaginable, the New Mexico IPA Challenge celebrates both tradition and innovation. It's a snapshot of where our state's brewing scene stands each summer — which breweries are nailing the classics, who's experimenting successfully, and what New Mexico drinkers actually want to drink.
More importantly, it's a community event that brings together brewery owners, brewers, and the people who support them. The friendly competition strengthens relationships and keeps New Mexico's collaborative brewing culture thriving.
So this July, when the New Mexico IPA Challenge rolls around, clear your calendar, gather your crew, and prepare your palate. Whether you're Team La Cumbre, rooting for an underdog, or just happy to taste your way through the state's finest hop-forward offerings, you're in for a treat.
After all, in a state that loves both competition and community, the NM IPA Challenge delivers both — one delicious pour at a time.