Kelly's B.Y.O.B.
----------------

Mike Hall

I've been by the Kelly's Brew You Own Beer establishment twice. The first
time was in the spring, right after it opened, and the second time was in
August, while I was in Albuquerque for the State Fair judging. It's located
on Central Avenue in the Nob Hill district.

It really changed between the two times that I visited. The first time I got
a first-class tour of the brewery where they help you brew 13-gallon batches
of beer from extract. They've got a good selection of specialty grains and
hops, and many different recipes that you can choose from. A batch of beer
costs between $89 and $125 for 72 bomber bottles, which they will sell to
you for $30 (you can bring your own and save this cost). The fermentation
room is kept around 70 F, so lagers are questionable. The shining copper
brew kettles are located in the right half of an old motel diner that has
been refurbished. Nothing much was going on in the other half of the diner.

My second visit to Kelly's B.Y.O.B. was for drinking purposes. I met Mike
and Sheryl Campbell, the president and first lady of the Albuquerque Dukes
of Ale, for a beer or four. The big change was in the left half of the
diner: the proprietors had installed about 20 taps and were serving their
own beers. A whole spectrum of styles was represented, from hefe weizen to
raspberry stout. These beers were brewed in the other half of the diner,
and many of them were very well done for extract beers. Talking with the
brewmaster I found out that two-thirds of their output was destined for the
taps in the bar, and one-third was done for B.Y.O.B. customers. As far as
food goes, ask the blond waitress (Terry?) for the "Damn Reuben".