Turtle Mountain Brewing Company

Turtle Mountain is in Rio Rancho, just north of Albuquerque, and worth the drive. There are always the brewery's award-winning beers on tap, and many others from around the state, as well as national and international beers. The food is almost as good as the beer, and the variety of wood-oven pizzas will make it hard to make up your mind. Large TVs are usually tuned to sports, including soccer, but it's also a great place for busy, loud conversation. TMBC is the end result of way too much dreaming (and drinking) on the part of the proprietor, Nico Ortiz. Starting with a student exchange to Germany when he was 16, he has dedicated his life to the pursuit of good beer. This brewpub is the culmination of over two decades of "market research" in hundreds of restaurants, bars, brewpubs, breweries, garages, and beer festivals all over the world. The name "Turtle Mountain" comes from the Tewa name for Sandia Peak. Alfonso Ortiz (Nico's late father) was born and raised at Oke Owingeh, north of Espanola, and one of six Pueblos that speak Tewa. Nico's father's Indian name was "Oku Pin," which translates as "Turtle Mountain." As a tribute to his father, who provided the inspirational and financial means to open the pub, Nico named it Turtle Mountain Brewing Company.