They say Christmas comes but once a year, but in New Mexico you can order Christmas-style chile year round. This southwestern tradition of smothering everything from burritos to burgers in a combo of green and red chile sauce has even infiltrated the beer industry. Chiles have become a popular enough brew infusion to earn their own category at the Great American Beer Festival in 2015. So fire up your taste buds with these spicy New Mexico suds:
Pancho Verde Chile Cerveza
Sierra Blanca Brewing’s lager is steeped with whole-roasted chiles, resulting in a mellow heat.
Adobe Igloo A winter warmer by Santa Fe Brewing comes infused with red chile flakes and cacao for a balance of heat and sweet (and the can’s seasonal bold pattern doesn’t even require gift wrap).
Brew Ha Ristra This jammy stout with cayenne pepper from recently opened Cantero Brewing is perfect for thawing out after a day of skiing or snowshoeing in the Sandia Mountains.
—Katie Hearsum
