Something new is about to hit the Highland neighborhood between Lomas and Central, west of San Mateo: High and Dry Brewing Company is setting up shop in a unique location at 529 Adams St. NE.
The building was previously home to Archetype Tattoo.
The roughly 5,000-square-foot building will house a brewing operation and a taproom divided into three areas: a bar, a game room with shuffleboard and a ring toss and a study/sitting room. An outdoor seating area will also be available, and a space for food trucks is built into the architecture plans.
“The (food) trucks won’t have to park on the street, which the neighborhood is excited about,” said partner and architect Mark Baker.
High and Dry Brewing is the brainchild of Andrew and Ashley Kalemba. Ashley, an Albuquerque native, met husband Andrew, a Chicago native, while the pair were living in Austin, Texas. The couple said the Austin beer scene heavily inspired their choice of location.
“Where we were living (in Austin), things like (High and Dry Brewing) were popping up in the neighborhood,” said Ashley. “And as soon as they popped up, family and dogs were walking everywhere and hanging out all day, and it really turned the neighborhood into a really cool place. And that was really important to us.”
Andrew, who is the head brewer, and Ashley are the main partners, but Mark Baker is acting as a supporting partner, architect and designer. “I do all the things (Ashley and Andrew) don’t do,” Baker said.
Baker said setting up on the edge of a neighborhood in an untapped but easily accessible market was the main factor for choosing the building.
“You are going to be able to walk here, you don’t have to drive here,” he said. “There are a lot of different ways to get here. We are right on a bus route. (Albuquerque Rapid Transit) is close by. So it’s going to be safer.”
According to Andrew, the neighborhood has been very supportive. The partners have worked closely with the neighborhood association to secure permits and gather feedback.
High and Dry will have five “mainstay beers” including and IPA, Pale Ale, American Wheat, Coffee Stout and Red Ale. A sixth beer will rotate seasonally. Kalemba said High and Dry will also offer beers from other local breweries as well as a wine menu.
High and Dry Brewing is scheduled to open by the end of the year.
