Posted by Sheridan Samano, Founder of Birding & Beers
I first learned about the Bow & Arrow brewery from Outside magazine back in 2021. How could I not click on an article titled “These Native American Women Are Changing Craft Beer for the Better.” It took a couple of years before I’d be able to visit Bow & Arrow’s taproom myself. The wait was worth it.
Even before entering the taphouse, I started to notice things that told me this was a cool place: The No Jerks sign on the front door. The framed magazine articles lining the entrance hallway. The gorgeous sunset photo hanging behind the bar and the large mural on the side wall. The logo of a hops cone that showcases the connection between brewing and the land. The diverse group of patrons enjoying beers and conversation. All of this made for a welcoming vibe not found at many breweries before or after my first visit.
Three Fun Facts about the Brewery
- The art in the Albuquerque taproom and beers showcasing indigenous ingredients is a tribute to the Southwest. Virtually all ingredients, including the hops and barley are from the surrounding area. They specialize in wild, sour, and Southwest-inspired beers.
- Bow & Arrow Brewing Co. was a 2023 finalist for the VinePair Next Wave Awards in the Brewery of the Year category. The Next Wave Awards honor those in the spirits, wine, and beer industries who are pushing boundaries and driving the industry toward a brighter, more equitable, and sustainable future.
- Wild hops have been used by people in the Southwest for thousands of years. Neomexicanus hops grow in the region and Bow & Arrow used it to produce what they believe is the first commercially available beer, their Foeder-aged Farmhouse Ale, using these wild-foraged hops.
Three Recommended eBird Hotspots within 30 Minutes of the Brewery
- Rio Grande Nature Center State Park with more than 320 species recorded. Easy trails take you through the bosque, or cottonwood forest, and along the river.
- Valle de Oro National Wildlife Refuge with more than 260 species recorded. Enjoy spectacular views of the Sandia Mountains while looking for ravens (both Chihuahuan and Common are here), hummingbirds, shorebirds, songbirds, and more.
- Rio Grande Valley State Park with more than 250 species recorded. This hotspot has a lot to offer, including a cool, shady forest that provides habitat for beavers, numerous bird species, turtles, and snakes in an otherwise arid landscape.
Are you interested in New Mexico’s birding and craft beer scene? Birding & Beers is going to New Mexico in December 2024. Check out the itinerary and registration details here.
