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ABQ Blues & Brews Festival

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This past Memorial Day Weekend, I got to attend the ABQ Blues & Brews Festival. I am a big fan of beer festivals and I love sampling new beers. It’s a fun way to find a new beer you might like and get introduced to new breweries. I was so thankful this one was indoors, because it was pretty hot out that day and the sun was out in full force. [I’m fair-skinned and burst into flames when exposed to the sun.] My boyfriend went to San Diego that weekend to visit his brother, so I decided to take an Uber to the festival. Festival attendees were offered free rides if they were new users, and $10 off each ride for existing users. What a deal!

I received free admission in exchange for an article about the event. All opinions expressed herein are my own.

ABQ Blues & Brews

About a half hour before the doors open, they start checking IDs, and 15 minutes before the doors open, they let you into a small vendor area so you can get your wristband, pamphlet, and souvenir sampling glass.

I had an Early Access pass, so I got to go in an hour before General Admission. I highly recommend the Early Access! It was nice to get to sample beers from each tent without having to wait in lines. It is also far less crowded. All tickets allow for unlimited samples! I found some favorites at Woodchuck Hard Cider. The Gumption is a traditional apple cider but has a different taste than most apple cider’s I’ve had. It is hands down the best hard cider I’ve ever tried. There was another cider that I swear was pineapple but I can’t remember the name of it. Gah! If you find something you love, take a picture of it to remember it for later.

I also thoroughly enjoyed the Superfuzz Blood Orange Pale Ale from Elysian Brewing Company. I’ve never had a blood orange beer before, and it was amazing! Maybe it’s because it was a hot day and I was in the summer mood, but I was all about the fruity beers that day.

There were about 70 breweries, including some home brewers clubs! Some vendors had games, like ring toss and prize wheels. Many also had free stickers to give away. I grabbed some for my boyfriend because he uses them to decorate his kegerator. There were even non-beer vendors, like Paint Nite, giving demonstrations and allowing you to try them out.

Now, we can’t forget the Blues part of the festival. There were 6 different bands and artists throughout the day playing on 2 stages, plus one in the VIP Lounge. Many of them are local artists and I love that this festival is supporting the community.

The main stage inside the ballroom had a dance floor and some seating, which was very nice. The sound was great and you could hear the music through the whole venue, so you can still enjoy the music while tasting some beers.

The stage in the hall was very nice as well, so you could listen to music while waiting to go inside.

Ticket Information

Must be age 21 or over to enter the ABQ Blues & Brews festival. This event does sell out, so I recommend buying tickets in advance.

VIP ADMISSION – VIP Lounge access with delicious hors d’oeuvres & full pours of fantastic beer, Early Access entrance to festival, music, vendors, games, unlimited 2-ounce beer samples, souvenir tasting glass, event program and entrance to our Grand Prize Drawing.

$55 – Pre-Sale Advanced Tickets
$60 – Regular Advanced Tickets
$65 – Day of Tickets
*plus tax and applicable credit card fees

EARLY ACCESS ADMISSION – Early Access entrance to festival, music, vendors, games, unlimited 2-ounce beer samples, souvenir tasting glass, event program and entrance to Grand Prize Drawing.

$35 – Pre-Sale Advanced Tickets
$40 – Regular Advanced Tickets
$45 – Day of Tickets
*plus tax and applicable credit card fees

GENERAL ADMISSION – entrance to festival, music, vendors, games, unlimited 2-ounce beer samples, souvenir tasting glass, event program and entrance to Grand Prize Drawing.

$25 – Pre-Sale Advanced Tickets
$30 – Regular Advanced Tickets
$35 – Day of Tickets
*plus tax and applicable credit card fees

NON SAMPLING TICKET – entrance to festival, music, vendors and games. One bottle of water for first 100 ticket holders.

$10 – while supplies last
*plus tax and applicable fees

Festival Information

Sandia Resort and Casino
Ballrooms near Hotel Entrance

Early Access and VIP 2p-6p
General Admission 3p-6p

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[…] If you love local festivals, check out the ABQ Blues & Brews Festival. […]