Spirits of Mexico: Agavelandia showcases agave-based libations
Sep. 11—Explore the world of artisanal agave spirits from Mexico during Agavelandia.
The event will feature a range of tequilas, mezcals, raicillas and sotols as well as cultural activities and live entertainment from 1 to 6 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 21. Food trucks, dance performances and live music will be part of the event.
Agavelandia is the creation of a collaboration between Emporia Consulting and Blue River Productions, which is responsible for putting on local festivals throughout the year.
David Thomas, with Emporia Consulting, said the idea for Agavelandia came after he and some of his colleagues who do business in Jalisco, Mexico, saw an opportunity to educate people about agave spirits.
"We saw this opportunity of working with the government of Jalisco and with the people in the tequila and mezcal industry and sotol industry and raicilla industry (by) starting to do some commercial missions to the United States," Thomas explained. "At the same time, we wanted to find a way we could start showcasing these spirits to businesses where they can be served, but (also) people to try new ones and enjoy a little bit more craft companies."
Thomas said some of the companies featured during Agavelandia are startups, and some of them have been around for a long time. Owners, distillers and representatives from the companies will be on hand to talk about and provide information about their products.
"At the end of the day, it's just also introducing people to other agave spirits, because we know tequila is the number one (among consumers) and maybe mezcal too, but there is raicilla and sotol and maybe a bacanora, (a regional mezcal made with the agave angustifolia plant) might come. So it's just of all these other spirits that are made from the agave plant."
Thomas said Agavelandia has received strong support from the greater Albuquerque community and has been working with the Consulado de México en Albuquerque.
"It's all about sipping, it's all about enjoying," he said. "It's all about coming together with local people from Albuquerque. We found that Albuquerque is this great community that is super supportive of everything around it. So far, Blue River Productions has been a great partner. We also have been blessed with the Albuquerque Hispano Chamber of Commerce being a fantastic partner as well."
Thomas added local favorite, Bosque Brewing Company, will be making an agave beer for the festival and will also carry it at its locations for a limited time.
There will be more than 20 brands represented at the festival.
"About 80% of them are still trying to get to the United States, and we help them with their paperwork, we help them with all their permits, and they're all good to go here," he explained. "But at the same time, it's something to share with everybody in the community and Albuquerque is a great community. It's just going to be a lot of fun, too. We're going to have some activities. We're going to have some cultural music. We just want people to come, sit, enjoy and just meet new people, chat with people they know, and just have a good time."
Attendees can choose from general admission, VIP and Elite VIP tickets. General admission and VIP guests are limited to 12 tastes per hour, with each taste measuring at .25 ounces. The Elite VIP ticket offers a small group private tasting session led by a tequila master as well as a dedicated entry lane.
"We are keeping an eye to make sure people do not consume too quickly," said Dean Strober, founder of Blue River Productions. "We will be just watching the time with which everybody is tasting. But we most importantly, as David mentioned, it's really about allowing people to discover as many of these new craft spirits as possible, but we just really want to make sure it's all done responsibly, absolutely in a healthy manner."