FARMINGTON – Craft brewery aficionados will have another option in 2020 to taste a unique slice of the Four Corners’ beer scene. The
The new location, known as the Rambler Taproom, will maintain its own identity, said Shyla Sheppard, founder and CEO of Bow & Arrow Brewing. “We’re really promoting this adventurous spirit for those ramblers and scenic vista seekers,” she said.
Since Sheppard and her partner already have family connections to Farmington, she said it was only natural to look to the Four Corners when considering a second location. “When we get out of town, we head to Farmington, and we try to get out there to camp during the summer,” Sheppard said.
Sheppard, who opened Bow & Arrow in 2016, said the company is finalizing the liquor license and improving the rented space but is excited to expand into the Farmington community. “We think we could add something unique to the craft beer scene,” she said.
The Rambler will be the third craft brewery in the city of more than 45,000 people. In addition to the Bow & Arrow’s taproom on the east side of town, there is Three Rivers Brewery on the west side and Lauter Haus Brewing, which opened in late October, on the north side.
While the 1,200-square-foot space won’t brew beer on-location and will have the same tap options as the flagship location, Sheppard said the company is exploring the idea of doing one-off brews for the Farmington location. Sheppard said the brewery is also considering partnering with a local restaurant or food trucks to provide food similar to the flagship brewery.
In Albuquerque, the brewery is known to select locally grown ingredients, like peaches, cherries and sumac berries, for its beers. A habit Sheppard would like to continue with growers in the Farmington area.
“We focus a lot on the American Southwest in our imagery, beer names and our brand,” Sheppard said. In fact, the label of the brewery’s Cosmic Arrow features rock formations from the Bisti Badlands, just south of Farmington.
“It’s the gateway to the Four Corners,” she said. “It made a lot of sense to expand our presence to that part of New Mexico.”
lweber@durangoherald.com
