OK, it didn't actually close. Brewing has been suspended while the brewery itself is moved to a new location. That process, including getting plans approved for the new brewery location, putting equipment in place and actually renewing brewing at 2381 Aztec Road will take months. In the interim beer for Il Vicino's restaurants in Albuquerque and Santa Fe will be made under contract at Mendocino Brewing.

Il Vicino finished strong on Saturday during the third round of the IPA Challenge at Chama River Brewing to defend its title. The Marble Brewery was second.

The rest of the standings: 3. Santa Fe Brewing, 4. Chama River Brewing, 5. (tie) Second Street Brewery, Blue Corn Cafe & Brewery, Three Rivers Brewing, 8. (tie) Turtle Mountain Brewing and High Desert Brewing, 10. Rio Grande Brewing (participated Saturday only).

Here are the numbers beers were assigned Saturday at Chama River. (Provided in case you tasted the beers and left before the order was announced.)

1. Santa Fe Brewing
2. Rio Grande Brewing
3. Chama River Brewing
4. Turtle Mountain Brewing
5. Blue Corn Cafe & Brewery
6. Three River Brewing
7. Il Vicino Brewery
8. High Desert Brewing
9. Marble Brewery
10 Second Street Brewery

1. Chama River Brewing
2. Three Rivers Brewing
3. Santa Fe Brewing
4. High Desert Brewing
5. Turtle Mountain Brewing
6. Marble Brewery
7. Second Street Brewery
8. Blue Corn Cafe & Brewery
9. Il Vicino Brewery

1. Marble Brewery
2. Blue Corn Cafe & Brewery
3. Second Street Brewery
4. Il Vicino Brewery
5. Turtle Mountain Brewing
6. Santa Fe Brewing
7. Three Rivers Brewing
8. High Desert Brewing
9. Chama River Brewing

The Ninth Annual New Mexico IPA Challenge begins July 27 at High Desert Brewing in Las Cruces and concludes July 31 at Chama River Brewing in Albuquerque.

The basics
For $20 drinkers/voters receive a tray with samples from all 11 participating brewers. All sampling is done "blind" (that means you won't know which beer is from which brewery). Vote for your favorite and receive a pint of that IPA in a logo glass you may keep.

When and where
Tuesday, July 27, from 4 to 8 p.m. at High Desert Brewing in Las Cruces.
Thursday, July 29, from 3 to 8 pm. at Santa Fe Brewing south of Santa Fe.
Saturday, July 31, from noon to 3 p.m. at Chama River Brewing in Albuquerque.

Participating Breweries
Blue Corn Cafe & Brewery, Santa Fe
Chama River Brewing, Albuquerque
Hallenbrick Brewing, Albuquerque
High Desert Brewing, Las Cruces
Il Vicino Brewing, Albuquerque
Marble Brewery, Albuquerque
Santa Fe Brewing, Santa Fe
Second Street Brewery, Santa Fe
Rio Grande Brewing, Moriarity
Three Rivers Brewing, Farmington
Turtle Mountain Brewing, Rio Rancho

Septemberfest begins at noon Saturday at the Marble Brewery in downtown Albuquerque.

Admission $20, which includes a tasting glass, unlimited samples from a dozen New Mexico breweries and two full pints. Food provided by Chama River Brewing.

Festival last until 8 p.m., with music all day.

- 4-person Scramble.
- Prizes and give-a-ways.
- Contests.
- Local hand-crafted beers provided by your local breweries.
- Sign up as a team or individual.
- Several Levels of Sponsorships Available.
- Cost is $90/player before Oct. 1.
- Cost is $100/player after Oct. 1.
- No Credit Cards.
- Final Entry Deadline is Oct. 7.

Download the entry form.

Il Vicino's Hop Goblin IPL earned 72 votes Saturday (July 25) to 67 for Chama River's March Hare on the big final day of the competition to finish with 98 overall. Chama River, the 2008 winner, had 91. The Challenge began Tuesday in Farmington, went to Santa Fe on Thursday and finished at the Il Vicino taproom in Albuquerque on Saturday.

For the 236 IPA fans you turned out Saturday and wonder which beers were which (they were tasted blind, with the numbers only revealed at the end): #1 - Second Street, #2 - Chama River, #3 - Rio Grande, #4 - High Desert, #5 - Turtle Mountain, #6 - Scorro Springs, #7 - Three Rivers, #8 - Il Vicino, #9 - Marble, #10 - Hallenbrick, #11 - Santa Fe Brewing, #12 - Blue Corn, #13 - Eskes.