Ever-expanding and locally beloved Santa Fe Brewing Company announced today that it will open a new tasting room in downtown Santa Fe this Thursday March 15 with a celebratory party starting at 3 pm. Located in a standalone building at 510 Galisteo St. and dubbed The Brakeroom, the new outfit marks the company's third such location in and around Santa Fe alongside a similar room in El Dorado and its flagship tasting room adjacent to the brewery itself just south of town.
Previously the building housed a private cigar club and, according to the brewery's press release, also served as an overnight bunkhouse for railroad employees 100 years ago. The moniker intends to preserve some of that rail history. The Brakeroom boasts 18 of the brewery's proprietary beers on tap and has partnered with nearby eatery Restaurant Martin for food options such as truffled orzo mac and cheese, soft pretzels with dipping sauces, beef sliders, pulled pork sandwiches, salads and more.
"I've been looking for a spot downtown for about 10 years," owner Brian Lock tells SFR. "I just wanted to wait for the ideal situation." Lock further explains parking was a concern, but that he's secured a deal for the lot around the corner on Manhattan Avenue.
"Our north side patrons don't have to drive 40 minutes round-trip to get some suds," head of research and development David Ahern-Seronde adds. "[I'm] really excited to see what new clientele this spot brings us in an awesome historic building; being the oldest craft brewery in New Mexico, I feel its rather fitting—it's small, but also homey."
For more on Santa Fe's exciting beer scene, including favorites from numerous local brewers themselves, check out our cover story on beer from April of last year.
