Every time a new brewery opens, an angel gets its wings. OK, yes we stole that very innocent line from “It’s a Wonderful Life,” but it doesn’t make it any less true.
Farmington has been blessed with a new brewery, Lauter Haus Brewing Company, and we were so psyched about it that we road tripped on down to New Mexico to see it for ourselves.
Lauter Haus might be the new kid in town, but it’s already built up a bit of a following. Upon entering the brewery early one evening, we were met with a sizable crowd, which had already gathered at the bar and spread out among the tables.
The first thing you should know about Lauter Haus is that it’s huge. Huge as in 10,000 square feet, to be exact. This industrial-style building features a seven-barrel system, pinball machines, corn hole game stations, and plenty of seating.
People aren’t shy about having fun at Lauter Haus. Patrons are spread out across the brewhouse chatting it up with friends, watching football on the various flat screen TVs, playing corn hole, and hitting up the pinball machines. We’re surrounded by street art depicting hop vines, Mario and Donkey Kong characters, and a large painted likeness of Donatello from the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. It’s clear this place was made for pure juvenile enjoyment — for adults.
Despite being busy, the lone bartender is quick to get us our drinks. Though it’s winter, we are all about ordering the light beers: L-25, a kettle sour; Bikes by Mike, a blonde ale; and Lenny, their Bavarian wheat. The brewery also has Foley’s IRA, an Irish red ale; Hosehead, an IPA; and Stout Stout Let it all Out on tap. A truly balanced beer breakfast — or dinner in this case.
We sit down at one of the corner picnic tables near a projector that’s broadcasting a football game to people watch while sipping our beer. Our takeaway? The beers are Lauter Haus are killer. The L-25 had a perfect, prominent balance of sour notes in the aftertaste. The blonde ale was just slightly bitter and went down smoothly, while the wheat was a lovely blend of malty flavor and tartness.
The fact that Lauter Haus’ beer is delicious shouldn’t come as too much of a surprise. After all, Brandon Beard, the owner of Lauter Haus, is hardly new to Farmington’s beer scene. Beard spent the last 15 years working at the city’s Three Rivers Brewery, 10 years as the head brewer.
According to the Farmington Daily Times, it was almost exactly a year ago when he and a group of partners decided to open the brewery. A year later, Lauter Haus is filled with suds-lovin’ patrons enjoying their brews.
“I’m worried about the consumer more than I am myself,” Beard told the Farmington Daily Times. “I’m worried if I’m making them happy. If you don’t like a beer, tell me why, and I’ll examine that. I don’t take things personally. It helps me figure out what I can do to make it better. I’m more concerned about making people happy than I am about any other thing.”
And, well, it shows. We left Lauter Haus, our bellies full of beer, making sure to mark the brewery as one of our new favorite Farmington watering holes.
Lauter Haus Brewing Company is located at 1806 E 20th, Farmington, New Mexico. For more information, call (505) 326-2337 or visit lauterbrew.com/. Amanda Push
