Latest taproom highlights NM brewing diversity

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Meet Draft Station, maybe the least territorial taproom in town.

The new beer hangout in Country Club Plaza boasts a formal affiliation with Chama River Brewing Co., acting as one of the companys official satellite locations.

But Draft Station, located at 1720 Central SW, is more than a Chama-orama. Its 14 taps actually represent six different New Mexico breweries.

Chama River and its Santa Fe-based sister brand Blue Corn combine for about half of the lineup, but Draft Station also pours selections from Albuquerques Marble, La Cumbre and Bosque breweries and one out of Rio Ranchos Turtle Mountain.

We wanted to do something that nobody else is doing with taprooms (and) hopefully take it to the next level, says Robert Griego, vice president of operations for Draft Station/Chama parent company Santa Fe Dining.

The new Draft Station taproom in Country Club Plaza is affiliated with Chama River Brewing Co., but uses its 14 taps to highlight beers from several different local breweries. Pictured is bartender Robert Scipes.

While many describe the local craft beer scene as friendly and collegial, Draft Stations strategy points to some even deeper connections. The head brewers at Bosque, La Cumbre, Marble and Turtle Mountain each worked previously at Blue Corn or Chama, two of the states most established brewing operations.

We know them all, and theyre highly respected, Griego says.

That kind of history isnt a requirement for inclusion at Draft Station, and the beer selection will evolve based on customer demand, Griego says. But there is one hard-and-fast rule about whats on tap it has to come from New Mexico.

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Latest taproom highlights NM brewing diversity