Adobe Igloo from Santa Fe Brewing was officially the first beer I drank in the new year and it is everything you want in a beer when it’s not quite 30° outside. Aptly labeled a winter warmer, the copper-colored brew takes a decidedly New Mexican take on a winter ale. Eschewing the wintry spices you’d find in many versions, Adobe Igloo calls in raw cocoa and red chile for a very subtle (and not at all spicy) splash of flavor.
The malt is present but not chewy like some winter ales and the hops are just hanging out in the background, being supportive. It’s not an alcohol bomb, either, at 6% ABV, Adobe Igloo takes a mellow winter afternoon and warms it just enough. I enjoyed mine in the newly opened two-story Beer Hall at the brewery’s headquarters and canning operation. With a view of the mountains and very good beer on tap, it’s a recommended way to enjoy this seasonal offering. And if you can’t make it to the great Southwest this year, Adobe Igloo will come back around next year, and possibly taste even better.
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