USA, NM: Truth or Consequences Brewing Co. to join growing New Mexico beer scene by this summer

New Mexico can add yet another brewery to its list. Matt Geisel, economic development secretary, announced on February 13 that Truth or Consequences Brewing Co. will join the growing New Mexico brew scene by the summer of 2017, the Albuquerque Business First reported.

This will be the first brewery to open in the T or C area. The closest brewhouses, according to a New Mexico Brewers Guild map, are in Silver City.

Truth or Consequences Brewing Co. is a part of the MainStreet program that plans on growing T or C's downtown district. "This project illustrates how our economic development incentives are working for homegrown New Mexico companies," said Geisel in a press release.

New Mexico's state closing fund, LEDA, will provide $125,000 for the project. LEDA helps recruit new businesses to New Mexico while helping those that are already here grow and thrive, according to the release.

"Thanks to the utility of the LEDA incentive and our partnership with the state and local government, we have the opportunity to start our business in a community that we love," brewery co-owner John Masterson said in a press release.

The brewery expects to create nine new production jobs over the next five years as it ramps up production.

New Mexico is ranked 12th in breweries per capita, based on a November Department of Workforce Solutions report.

According to Business First numbers, between the years of 2013 and 2016, liquor sales decreased 32 percent, wine sales decreased 34 percent and sales of beer from large breweries decreased 7 percent. Sales in beer from microbreweries, on the other hand, increased 124 percent, from 18,427 gallons in 2007 to 41,210 in 2013.

"This will bring exciting new opportunities for night life in T or C and continue to bring opportunities for growth," said Truth or Consequences City Manager Juan Fuentes in a press release.

The Truth or Consequences Brewing Co. will serve ales and lagers, experimental brews and beers from other New Mexico breweries. A few beer plans for the summer include a golden blonde ale, a citrus rye ale and a porter.

16 February, 2017