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There is something about driving up to Cloudcroft. N.M. Maybe it's the fresh mountain air or the feeling of reconnecting with nature while enjoying hiking. However, when it comes to this time of year, the drive to Cloudcroft may include a stop at the Cloudcroft Beerfest.
The third annual Cloudcroft Beerfest will be held from noon to 8 p.m. on Saturday, June 21, and noon to 6 p.m. Sunday, June 22 at Zenith Park, 1001 James Canyon Highway, Cloudcroft, N.M. The popular festival will celebrate craft beer from local breweries and will also have a selection of local wine. The event is family friendly and guests 18 years old or younger are free to attend.
Debra Spears, President of the Cloudcroft Chamber of Commerce, gave her thoughts on the festivities.
“You come to Cloudcroft Beerfest to party in the beautiful Sacramento Mountains. You’re 9,000 feet above sea level and the summers are cool. This is a well-attended event with well-known and quality breweries and talented artisans selling one-of-a-kind items,” she said.
A few brewery staples originating from Cloudcroft and Ruidoso attending the Beerfest include Cloudcroft Brewing Company and Downshift Brewing Company. Black Cock Brewery from Roswell will also be available for beer lovers. Noisy Water Winery from Ruidoso is one of the wineries scheduled to attend the festival.
In addition to sampling New Mexico craft beer and wine, there will be several artisan vendors at the event. Each vendor has a collection of unique items for sale including handcrafted jewelry, clothing, home decor, wood items, accessories and more.
Both days of the Beerfest will include live music with a range of tunes that any listener will enjoy. On Saturday, SPiVEY, electronica, will kick off the party at noon, followed by Doso Dirtbags, a bluegrass, soulful blues duo from the mountains of New Mexico at 1:30 p.m. Doso Dirtbags also infuses Irish roots and acoustic punk to their sound. Rosco and The Booze Hounds, a folksy band from Alamogordo will begin at 4:30 p.m. On Sunday, Doso Dirtbags return to rock the stage at noon and Rosewater Blues, Latin blues and classic rock band, will close out the Beerfest beginning at 2:30 p.m.
The Frybread Lady, Downshift Brewing Company and Snaxx Attaxx are just a few of the local food trucks looking to keep the guests fed.
If you are looking to make it a full weekend in Cloudcroft, Spears gave few options. “Visitors can also visit Burro Street where there are shops, a winery and eateries. No traffic and beautiful scenery. Not to mention hiking trails.” Spears noted.
Tickets are available at the gate. Admission for the festival is $20 for 21 years old and up and includes an official 16-ounce Beerfest glass. For non-drinking guests, admission is $15 and admission is free for guests 18 years old and younger. For more information on the event, please contact the Cloudcroft Chamber of Commerce at 575-682-2733.
