2019-04-01 Taste and Travel International

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Ruidoso, 30 miles from the sci-fi kitschy Roswell and a O

four-hour drive from artsy Santa Fe, is a gem hidden at the

southernmost base of the Rocky Mountains. This is New

Mexico unplugged, from affordable skiing to quirky shops

and galleries, and sites monumentalizing America’s frontier

days. It is also a modern American melting pot settled by

entrepreneurs, winemakers, distillers, craft brewers, BBQ pit-

masters, bakers and diner owners.

WIT ON TAP

In Southern New Mexico the craft beer

industry is positively hopping. Sample local

liquid gold from Lost Hiker (featuring rich

Belgian Rye Pale and Oatmeal Stout brews),

Bonito Valley Brewing Company in nearby

Lincoln (BTK Amber and Cerveza de los

Muertos), Cloudcroft Brewing and Tall

Pines Brewing. The Rio Grande Grille and

Tap Room pours magical brews with a

playful aliens/UFO theme while the menu

keeps things down to earth with an eclectic

mix of Tex-Mex, steakhouse, and brasserie-

inspired fare. http://www.losthikerbrewing.com ;

http://www.bonitovalleybrewing.com ; http://www.

cloudcroftbrewing.com ; http://www.facebook.

com/tallpinesbrewing ; http://www.

sierrablancabrewery.com/rio_grande.html

WINE THAT MAKES A SPLASH

Young winemaker/entrepreneur Jasper

Ridley has already honed his reputation

as a trailblazing legend with the wines

coming out of his Noisy Water Winery. The

winery is credited with driving the current

influx of breweries and restaurants, while

producing wines (such as Sangiovese,

Moscato, and Zia Chardonnay) on a par

with some of California’s Central Coast and

Sonoma pours. http://www.noisywaterwinery.com

Ginning Up

Enthusiasm

Veteran entrepreneurs Rebecca and

Will Ponder are behind many innovative

food and beverage outposts. Their

Sacred Grounds Coffee & Tea House is

already a community gathering spot and

entertainment space (serving a particularly

mean breakfast). Their latest venture Circle

J BBQ, overseen by young Pit Master

Tim Berns, offers sumptuous barbeque

sauce and a stellar brisket. The jewel in

the Ponders’ crown, however, is Glencoe

Distillery, turning out extraordinary gins,

whiskeys, agave spirits, vodkas and coffee

DESTINATION: (^) RUIDOSO, NEW MEXICO
DATE OF TRAVEL: January (^2019)
WEATHER: Brisk, (^) with highs
ranging from (^) - 2 to 5 ºC
TRAVELLER: Jessica Kobel
COUNTRY: USA
liqueurs with precision and love.
http://www.sacredgrounds-coffee-and-
tea-house.com ; Circle-J-Barbecue
1825 Sudderth Drive; http://www.
facebook.com/GlencoeDistillery
BRING THE KIDS
The Cornerstone Bakery, warmed to
perfection by owners Marie and Steve
Gomez, has everything required for a
cozy mountain town breakfast and then
some. Intoxicating aromas of fresh breads
and pastries and brewing coffee, as well
as the hum of a juicer cranking out fresh
orange juice hit you the moment you
enter. The menu tempts with hearty,
homespun breakfast and lunch selections.
Dough and flour replace crayons and
placemats to keep the kids busy.
http://www.cornerstonebakerycafe.com
APRIL–JUNE 2019 TAST E& TRAVEL INTERNATIONAL 15
Lost Hiker