Ex Novo Brewing Company — Restaurant in Corrales

Corral staff made me feel like a burden to be asking them questions about the beer or really any interaction in general. Corral concept is odd considering they provide a large area that appears to be for kids to play and have fun yet they will publicly accost you over the PA if you are not standing directly next to your kids. Our kids were playing soccer within 50 feet of us while we socialized near the heaters (temps in the 30s) and watched near the bar and we still were called out over PA. I understand unruly kids and I'm always aware of where mine are and how they are behaving, but why have the field at all if not for kids to play while parents socialize while monitoring their kids from a distance? Isn't that the concept? We moved to the tap room due to cold weather. Tap room staff was equally disinterested in being friendly or inviting and after ordering only 3 beers for our group of mid 30s parents the bar tender aggressively asked me who the drinks were for and said I would have to physically produce 3 separate IDs. I pointed to our group tending to children and he forced me go get three individuals to come inside and produce their ID. When I asked if this was a state law he said "this is our law". This holds the already lengthy line just to go outside and round up three 36 year old people to come inside to show their ID with 6 kids in tow. Just very unnecessary. Overall wouldn't come back. Uninviting staff and a place that poses as family friendly all while making you feel very guilty and unwelcome for having children with you is just not it. We live in Austin and there's many places with this same concept who do it the right way without...

The Albuquerque area has a slew of great breweries, and every time I come to town, I make a concerted effort to visit as many as possible. My ABQ Brewery Map has more than three dozen pins on it, and I have finally been to almost all of them.

And…finally…I made it to Ex Novo in Corrales. It’s not that I wasn’t already familiar with their beers, because they have distro in the Amarillo area. But just like with Guinness in Ireland, the beer always tastes better at the brewery. So off I went along a narrow, winding road to find the source of this good cheer.

I’m just glad they do small pours separate from the flights of four, because there were six I wanted to have.

On my flight I went with my fave Mass Ascension (West Coast IPA; 6.9% ABV), Misnakes Were Made ((West Coast IPA; 7% ABV), Sadnia Slice (Hazy IPA; 7.1% ABV), and Crueltor (Hazy IPA; 6.5% ABV). This was an amazing quartet of hoppiness, and I could find no faults. I followed suit with Short pours of Extra Time (Amber Ale; 5.3% ABV) and Liquid Sweater (Winter Ale; 7%ABV). Back here in Texas I have also had Perle Haggard (German Pilsner; 5.1% ABV). Once again, all stellar performers, which with the others noted above give me no uncertainties in declaring ex Love to be in my Top 5 for ABQ.

Ex Novo is renovating the old Firestone dealer in downtown ABQ for a taproom, which should open later in Spring 2024. That will be convenient if only because Corrales is a bit of a hike from town. Either way, though, the beer flowing from their taps is inspired and inspiring. Even though I can buy it in Amarillo, I want to return to the brewery if only for the experience of being there so close...

My boyfriend Frejdyn introduce me to this awesome gem of a place. I fell in love with this place due to you can bring the kids the dogs the whole family has outside entertainment it's not just a brewery! This place dose not serve food but .... they instead always have the coolest food trucks which just adds to the whole outside experience. Plus they have music and games for adults and children like corn hole ect.... and the view is always amazing we love hopping on the motorcycle 🏍 the scenery is always epic. Good beer ,good food ,good atmosphere equals a wonderful time with family,dogs and friends. I don't know about you but I'm all about that life☺️😊 8/11/23 just went here yesterday and the weather was perfect for music and games and drinks and food outside. I love this place so much the atmosphere and the outside setting is almost magical. My boyfriend Frejdyn likes to take the motorcycle up there with a blanket and lay it out on the lush green grass and we just have a romantic fun time there due to the atmosphere. If your looking for fun outside doors for you two or family or even with the dogs come here I promise you that you will not be...