Thinking about Albuquerque, New Mexico, the mind likely jumps to Better Call Saul, Breaking Bad, or perhaps Bugs Bunny. While that all may be fair, there is far more to Burque than what fictional television portrays. ABQ is enchanting, home to high-desert hiking, cultural celebration, and a burgeoning beer scene led by Bow & Arrow Brewing.

With its doors opening for business in 2016, Bow & Arrow became the first Native American women-owned brewery in the country. Missy Begay and Shyla Sheppard don’t have the “typical” path to becoming brewery owners, but their unique backgrounds have helped differentiate Bow & Arrow. Sheppard worked at a social impact investing firm for nearly a decade after graduating from Stanford. Begay, also a Stanford alum, was, and still is, a practicing physician. A passion for craft beer and an appreciation for the magic of the Southwest led them to make the jump and open their brewery in Albuquerque. 

Begay believes the city has an underrated food scene. Albuquerque’s authentic New Mexican and Pueblo plates would stand up to dishes found in any major “foodie” city. Indian Pueblo Kitchen, an acclaimed restaurant inside the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center, is just one example of the indigenous culinary artistry and hospitality. This goes hand in hand with beer. “If you let good food guide your journey, good beer will follow,” Begay says. Truer, more Bourdain-esque words have never been spoken.

The Beer

Owning a brewery is about the coolest thing one can do in life, but Sheppard and Begay take it to a whole new level. They’ve captured wild yeast in local lavender fields to use in foeder-aged farmhouse ales. They’ve crafted custom, hand-built-in-house Kolsch trays. These are just a few of the reasons they were named the 2024 Brewery of the Year by VinePair and a 2024 James Beard Foundation Semifinalist for Outstanding Bar. Bow & Arrow has even created a nationwide beer collaboration called the Native Land Campaign. Since 2021, more than 60 breweries across the country have participated. Through this program, they’ve contributed over $110,000 to Native non-profits.

Bow & Arrow’s draft list has a little something for everybody, with a fun Southwest flair. Think Saisons and Sour Ales featuring prickly pear cactus, or beers like Denim Tux, a Pilsner brewed with local blue corn. Southwesty, their West Coast IPA, is completely crushable. That checks out, as their Head Brewer, Samuel Arredondo, hails from California and honed his craft working at breweries in San Diego. Another beer sure to turn some heads is Western Roots, an upcoming collaboration with New Belgium Brewing Company. This Farmhouse Ale is brewed with Kernza, a water-efficient grain making waves in the industry as a sustainable brewing practice. Look for this one to release mid-July at New Belgium’s Asheville and Fort Collins locations.

What started as a relatively small operation has grown into an impressive distribution footprint. Bow & Arrow can now be found in Arizona, Colorado, Washington, and throughout New Mexico. The growth has also led them to open a second location in Farmington, the gateway to the Four Corners. This area is home to epic hikes, mountain biking, off-roading, and other outdoor adventures, as well as great beer.

What’s Next?

Nine years in, Bow & Arrow is helping to put and keep Brew Mexico on the map. With big plans in the works for more charitable initiatives and things like seasonal beer dinners led by Native chefs, the next nine years look pretty bright as well. Next time you find yourself in the Land of Enchantment, pay them a visit. Whether you go red, green, or Christmas, you’ll want a good beer to go with it, and those are a guarantee at Bow & Arrow.

Feature image provided by Zeke Ottemiller.

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