USA, NM: Nuckolls Brewing Co. opens in Santa Fe
Santa Fe’s community welcomed a new craft brewing business to town on Independence Day with the grand opening of Nuckolls Brewing Co. at 20 Sage Lane — the former home of Enchanted Circle Brewing, Santa Fe Mexican reported on July 19.
The launch featured live music, food and the first pours from what will soon be a busy production site for Nuckolls, which is expanding from its initial location in Santa Fe’s Railyard.
“It was outstanding,” said owner Bill Banowsky, who also played guitar in the band Train Wreck during the celebration. “We had live music all day long, and a great day with great people.”
Banowsky founded Nuckolls Brewing in 2023, and the company also operates a satellite location in the Lamy railroad depot. Banowsky also owns and operates Sky Cinemas (formerly Violet Crown) and Sky Coffee, both in the Santa Fe Railyard. And in 2019, Banowsky and author and television writer and producer George R.R. Martin started Sky Railway, the popular tourist train in Santa Fe.
With its views of Wheeler Peak, proximity to the Angel Fire Bike Park, and a 20-barrel brewing system, the new location is key to Nuckolls’ expansion plans. Banowsky said the site will dramatically increase the brewery’s capacity with a soon-to-be-operational canning line.
“This facility really solves a problem for us,” he said. “It allows us to get more of our beer into the hands of people who want it — not just in Santa Fe, but eventually across Northern New Mexico. We’ll be able to distribute our beer more widely now and the Angel Fire location also offers an incredible setting for a taproom experience.”
Head brewer and general manager Jen Treu, a veteran of the craft beer world with experience from California to Rowley Farmhouse Ales in Santa Fe, is overseeing the Angel Fire operation.
“This is a 20-barrel, three-vessel brew house,” Treu said. “It’s exciting to scale up our production, and we’re already brewing. We’ve got an amber — ‘Train Wreck’ — on tap, along with our Rail Ale, Cherry Gose and the Locomotive IPA.”
The Angel Fire facility will also serve as the production site for a special collaboration beer celebrating The Santa Fe New Mexican’s 175th anniversary. As reported by The New Mexican, the commemorative roasted blue corn lager — crafted with cracked, roasted blue corn from Santa Ana Pueblo and malt sourced near Madrid — was designed by Treu in partnership with the newspaper’s staff. The lager will be canned in Angel Fire and sold on tap and in four-packs across Northern New Mexico.
Proceeds from the beer will support local journalism. For each pint sold, $1 will go to The New Mexican’s public service journalism fund at the nonprofit New Mexico Foundation. Each four-pack will generate a $2 donation.
While the food menu is currently limited as the team ramps up, Treu noted customer favorites from Santa Fe — like their Wagyu smash burger, Bavarian pretzels with beer cheese and the California veggie sandwich — will make their way north soon.
“We want to take our time and do it right,” Treu said. “That means building a solid staff and making sure the quality is where we want it.”
Treu also emphasized the brewery’s potential as a community hub.
“We want this to be a family-friendly, welcoming space,” she said. “With the bike park right here, outdoor dining and a beer garden in the works, this is going to be a great spot for both locals and visitors.”
The renovation of the former Enchanted Circle Brewing building was extensive. Banowsky and his team gutted and rebuilt the kitchen and bar, refinished tables with epoxy coatings and added protective materials throughout the brewing and food service areas. Paintings by Santa Fe artist Gary Oakley now adorn the walls.
“It’s hard to articulate how much change has happened here,” Banowsky said. “A lot of it is behind the scenes — in the brewery and the kitchen — but it all adds up to a completely new experience.”
The facility is expected to add at least 10 jobs to the Angel Fire economy and will help Nuckolls enter the retail distribution market for both kegs and cans. The brewery’s canning system — purchased but never used by the previous owner — will go online later this summer, with the 175th anniversary beer leading the charge.
Banowsky said the community’s response during the grand opening weekend was enthusiastic. “We had a great turnout at our soft opening, and people seem to really appreciate what we’re building here.”
For now, the Angel Fire location will be open Wednesday through Sunday, with plans to expand hours and offerings throughout the summer.
“We’re easing into it,” Banowsky said. “But our vision is clear: a high-quality brewery that enhances the character of Angel Fire and brings people together.”
23 July, 2025
