BeerVisits - UK - Europe - USA/Canada - World

Pub Visit - USA/Canada

Chama 1 BuildingMonday 13th May 2012

Bob Thompson

I was surprised how up-market this brew pub and restaurant appeared. However, seated at the bar, beer was the only thing that mattered. The brewing room can be seen through large glass windows. There was a large selection, all brewed in-house.

The regulars were Class VI Golden Lager (5.0%); Rio Chama Amber Ale (5.0%); Rio Lodo Brown Ale (5.5%); Broken Spoke Honey Wheat (5.5%); Sleeping Dog Oatmeal Stout (6.0%) and Jackalope Inda Pale Ale (6.2%) an American-style IPA made with Columbus, Crystal and Centennial hops.

Chama 2 Interior



There were several seasonals on offer and these were Amarzen (5.2%), an American version of a German Märzen; Three Dog Night (8.5%), a Baltic-style Porter; Double Chama (7.1%), an American Strong Ale and Hop Slap (7.7%), a massive Double IPA made with Simco and Chinook hops.

This was another brewery where the strengths provided differ depending on the source. I have used those of the brewery itself. After all, they should know!

 

Chama 3 Bar and Brewery

I was still with my new drinking friends and to start with I ordered a sampler tray of all ten beers which we all tried.

I won't bore you with my own comments as some of these styles are not favourites and I don't want to be guilty of passing a negative comment on a well-brewed beer. For example, I have only once had a honey wheat beer. How would I know if this was a good example?

However I can tell you what I did really like and that was the Stout, Three Dog Night and the Brown Ale, which were all superb.

Both IPA variants were fantastic. I finished up with a pint of the stout which I think was their best beer. This pub is well worth visiting.

I'm sure this pub is strong on food and it is worth noting that there was an upcoming five-course gourmet beer dinner with pairings of appropriate beers with each item.

Important Information:

Chama River Brewing, 4939 Pan American Freeway NE

 Open: Sunday to Thursday 11.00-23.00; Friday to Saturday 11.00 to 24.00

This pub is not well served by buses.
The exception is the 251 that runs during rush hours only to the Los Ranchos station of the New Mexico Rail Runner train service.

Otherwise it is about a 20 to 25 minute walk eastwards to San Mateo Boulevard
for the 140 and 141 buses.