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Canteen Brewhouse to host weightlifting competition to benefit Locker #505
On certain special occasions, there are more than just pints being hoisted at Canteen Brewhouse.
On Saturday, Nov. 8, the seventh annual Lager Liftoff will be held on the Brewhouse patio, with contestants showcasing their strength in three Olympic lifts: bench press, squat and deadlift. The event is held in conjunction with Big Barn CrossFit and CrossFit Albuquerque, which help to provide the weights and equipment for the festivities.
There are open and master’s (ages 50 and up) divisions for both men and women. Athletes will load their own weight and have five minutes to determine their max for each respective lift. Judges will be on hand to evaluate proper form, and winners are determined using the Wilks coefficient, which measures powerlifting strength of athletes with different body weights.
Once everything gets underway, it’s quite the scene.
“People are drinking, having a good time and cheering,” Jamie Schwebach, Canteen general manager, said. “I never thought that powerlifting would be an event that is a spectator sport — and this is a spectator sport. It’s super cool watching people lift heavier than they’ve ever lifted and doing these personal records and just the crowd, like cheering them on and wanting them to do so well.
“So it’s a super fun event and it’s a different event because you’re at a brewery and there’s people lifting really, really heavy things.”
A percentage of the proceeds from registration go to benefit Locker #505, a nonprofit clothing bank that provides clothing to kids from grades K-12 in the greater Albuquerque area. Those who attend, both as participants or spectators, are also encouraged to bring new socks and underwear to donate.
“They’ve (Locker #505) already seen 1,700 students this year, and they’ve just recently had 3,300 new referrals,” Schwebach said. “There’s more and more of a need for clothing for our students in the Albuquerque metro area.”
Registration is capped at 40 athletes (there were 29 last year) and all participants receive a T-shirt, one lager or nonalcoholic beverage of their choice and a free lunch. Schwebach says that Canteen will have its full lineup of lagers on hand, including its Laid Back Lager, High Plains Pilsner and Cabana Mexican Lager, as well as a few other seasonal offerings. Additionally, new head brewer Will Moorman is expected to have a new dark lager — named No Schwartz, No Shoes, No Service — ready to go just before the event. Schwebach says that a percentage of beer sales will also go to Locker #505 that Saturday.
“We always try to make sure we’ve got plenty of lagers,” Schwebach said.
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While some will be in attendance to vie for the unofficial title of Duke City’s Strongest man or woman, the event also provides a point of entry for those looking to begin or renew their own fitness journeys.
“I know for myself, because of this, l’ve actually started going to Big Barn and CrossFit,” Schwebach said. “They’re welcoming, their open environment and their desire to teach you and encourage you to do hard things is really great. There’s such a welcoming group of humans.
“Gender doesn’t matter. Age (doesn’t matter). It’s open to all abilities. And I think that’s also a huge part of this, just like a brewery. We want to be a welcoming environment.”
