We really want to focus and celebrate the local science and engineering that New Mexico has to offer. A lot of the state’s history is built in Los Alamos and Sandia — Brew Lab owner and engineer Scott Salvas

 

Brew Lab 101 Beer & Cider Co. is becoming a popular hangout spot in Rio Rancho.

It’s constantly filled with people enjoying live music, live shows, events, multiple food trucks, a newly opened Beer Garden patio and craft beer.

“It’s a great open area, the people here are really good, and they have great music,” said

customer Juan Gallegos.

The brewery has constantly been referred to as the Breaking Bad brewery but that’s not the case.

CEO & Brewmaster Scott Salvas said that Brew Lab is not a Breaking Bad themed brewery but rather, a celebration of science and engineering which in Salvas’ opinion is an overlooked part of New Mexico’s identity.

Salvas, who is an engineer-by-day, loves how the TV show Breaking Bad championed science, and opened Brew Lab to serve the community and champion science as well.

“We really want to focus and celebrate the local science and engineering that New Mexico has to offer,” Salvas said. “A lot of the state’s history is built in Los Alamos and Sandia.”

Los Alamos National Laboratories is famed for being the location of the Manhattan Project, and the birthplace of the first atomic bomb.

As soon as you walk through the doors of Brew Lab, you see science decor all over the place: Compounds on the wall, elements, beaker-style drinking glasses.

One does not brew beer without familiarity with biochemistry and organic chemistry. That’s why the motto at Brew Lab is: “No science, no beer.”

Brew Lab 101 is also all about supporting the scientific community.

“Scott [Salvas] came to CNM and gave us a speech on water chemistry,” said Head Brewer Tevin Gray. “And I saw that he was doing a chemistry themed brewery, and I was like Bro!”

Gray started off as a bartender, served as an assistant brewer, and now is the Head Brewer.

Some of Brew Lab’s best-selling beers include the Peachy Keen Cider, the Sexi NuMexi Mexican Lager, and the Wicked Pissah IPA.

However, they are not a restaurant, and they actually encourage customers to bring any sort of food — even if it is in a crock pot.

“You can bring in your own food, you can make a ham sandwich at home if you want, you can order a pizza while you are here,” Salvas said. “I’ve seen people come in with a crock pot full of beans and rice. That’s fine too.”