Marble’s (Not) Terrible Twos— Before April of 2008, I didn’t even know there was a Marble Street in Albuquerque. Who would have guessed that two years since its opening, Marble Brewery (111 Marble NW, 243-2739) would make that street one of the most visited in town? And that location (along with the stellar beer, of course) may be a key reason why it’s become such a success: Far enough away from the chaos that is Central Avenue, you can sit on the patio and actually make eye contact without getting threatened with a beat-down.Starting Thursday, April 22, the brewery in the formerly quiet industrial zone will begin a weekend of festivities to celebrate its second anniversary. Get there early—say, at the 3 p.m. opening—and be one of the first to receive a Marble key chain/bottle opener. There are only 300 to go around, so make like an old couple hitting up the early bird special at Pelicans. Who needs a bottle opener when you’re there for the draft beer, you say? Or maybe you actually work for a living (chilling thought) and can’t get there early? That’s what the $2 pints all night Thursday are for, along with live music from Da Bruddah Project at 8 p.m. The entertainment will continue all weekend. (This Friday is reserved for belly dancers, but I hope Marble hasn’t booked the beer-belly kind you see at festivals in Taos. It’s not sexy. The dancing begins at 7 p.m. and please, leave it to the pros.) Live music on Thursday, Saturday and Sunday will keep up throughout the spring and summer.Marble GM Ryan Staudhammer tells me that he plans to expand the patio soon, and possibly for the anniversary weekend, even if it means temporary ropes enlarging the drinking area. Marble is also increasing its storage with an annex. It’s sorely needed, since Marble’s already brewing at capacity and adding new bottled varieties. Amber Ale just hit the shelves in 22-ounce bottles, and Head of Brewery Operations Ted Rice tells me he’s brewing the popular Double White this week. Also to come are a variety of Sour Ales (aging now) and Imperial Red in bottles. Ska-nky Beer— Maybe you’re too refined for a raucous anniversary-drink fest, but you still want to get your craft beer fix. The Zinc Cellar Bar (3009 Central NE, 254-ZINC) is hosting a Ska Brewing Beer Dinner on Saturday, April 24. For $39 (plus tax and tip), you’ll get four courses of beer and food beginning with a reception and appetizers at 5:30 p.m. I won’t give you the whole menu (get that and reservations at zincabq.com), but I will say this: Maytag blue cheese mashers. I’d put that in a blender and drink it like a shake. I do have to nitpick about the order of beers served, though. The list goes IPA, Blonde Ale, Red Ale, Imperial Porter, Milk Stout. Serving Ska’s hoppy IPA first could numb the taste buds, and heavy Imperial Porter before lighter Milk Stout is also curious. The menu sounds great though, and all the beers are solid.
Drink in more local beer culture at www.abqbeergeek.com
