Craft Breweries in Clovis

“It does my heart good to see a small town brewery packed to the gills on a Friday night. It’s not just a case of there not being alternatives. In the case of Bandolero Brewing, it was because it is just that good. I only partook of their brewing excellence, because I had already noshed on Thai food elsewhere, but from the looks of the bar and tables throughout this spacious brewpub, the food is just as good.I had been wanting to make a beer run to Eastern New Mexico for a long time, yet never quite got around to it. It’s too easy to let the close ones slip off the radar. But opportunity presented itself, and I headed southwest for what is scarcely an hour journey to Clovis.I went with a flight as per my usual M.O. I opted to go wide, with my beers varied in style. Starting with New Mexico IPA (7.4% ABV), I followed with Sidewinder Kölsch (4.5% ABV), Main Street Bock (7.1% ABV), and High Noon IPA (7.6% ABV). Both of the IPAs were very approachable and flavorful, not so hoppy as to leave a beer frown at the end. The Kölsch would make for a delightful hot summer day refreshment, and the Bock is certainly apropos for the Spring season.And since they have both 32-ounce and 64-ounce growlers available, I went with the big one and had it filled with my top pick of the four, the High Noon IPA. It was about then I spied the handy insulated Bandolero growler tote, which at $12 was a no-brainer on multiple levels. It hangs off the back of your vehicle’s head rest, making for safe travel, as well as natural refrigeration on chilly Spring nights. I will be using this for a long time to come.All told, I had a very enjoyable experience, and also managed to do some writing as well. This one goes in the W column.“

“I have been to Red Door’s Taproom in Clovis twice before, as well as their ABQ locations multiple times. They are among my fave beers out of the Duke City. It’s nice to have relatively easy access to these brews only 80 miles from my home in the Texas Panhandle.I love the vibe of this taproom, as it is the food and beverage appendage of a bowling alley, an establishment that simply must have sustenance readily available. I have sat at this bar and imbibed on numerous froths from the Red Door collection.My only concern is that, while my brews this visit were certainly good, I learned that they now have a hard time actually getting Red Door beers, which are now apparently contract-brewed by Rio Bravo in ABQ. According to my server, they are lucky to ever have two Red Door beers at any given time.And so I quaffed my Red Door IPA, but then had to settle, if you will, for a hazy IPA from Santa Fe Brewing Company. Now, not to throw shade of that great brewery, it’s just that to round out their tap list, they have had to stir in brews made by others.All of which goes to say that the Red Door Taproom in Clovis has basically become a more generic taproom, with brews from numerous breweries. The beers are all good and that, but I suspect the days are numbered for this establishment to be named Red Door, especially with so little Red Door product.And that’s sad, because I like this place! I just want more Red Door Beer, regardless of whomever is brewing it for them. It’s that good.“