Brewery Profile

Rumor Brewing Company

A short drive into the East Mountains gives Albuquerque-area beer drinkers a different kind of stop than the larger city taprooms. Rumor Brewing Company, previously known as Ale Republic, sits in Cedar Crest and serves as a local gathering point for visitors who want house-brewed beer without going far from town. Walk in expecting a changing tap list rather than a fixed lineup. The range runs from ales to lagers, with examples such as Bella Vista Pilsner on the crisp side and Trailhead IPA for those looking for a more hop-forward pour. The brewery also has a food focus, pairing its beers with brick oven pizzas, which makes it workable as either a quick pint stop or a casual meal.

Travelers in this part of New Mexico often look for places that fit around a mountain drive, a day outside, or a slower route back toward Albuquerque. Rumor Brewing fits that pattern by offering familiar craft-beer choices along with rotating releases that may include more experimental pours. Someone who wants an easygoing lager can look for that style, while an IPA drinker has a clear point of entry as well. The appeal is less about chasing a large destination brewery and more about finding a neighborhood-scale taproom with beer made in-house and enough variety to make a mixed group comfortable.

For planning purposes, the key detail is that Cedar Crest is about a 20-minute drive from Albuquerque, so it can be added to an East Mountain outing without requiring a full-day commitment. Because the beers rotate, the taproom is the place to confirm the day’s pours and ask what is new or limited. The brick oven pizzas are the known food option, but visitors should still check current hours and service details before heading out. If you knew the location under its former Ale Republic name, note that it now operates as Rumor Brewing Company, with the same general idea of house-brewed beer, rotating taps, and pizza in Cedar Crest.

Rumor Brewing Company, previously known as Ale Republic, is the perfect East Mountain escape, nestled in Cedar Crest just a quick 20-minute drive from Albuquerque. Beyond their diverse selection of constantly rotating house-brewed ales and lagers—from the crisp Bella Vista Pilsner to the adventurous Trailhead IPA—they specialize in pairing your pint with top-notch brick oven pizzas. Stop in to sample their latest experimental brew and see why the buzz around this rebranded spot is well-deserved.

Website available

28 Arroyo Seco Rd, Cedar Crest, NM 87008, USA, Cedar Crest, New Mexico, 87008

Phone: +1 (505) 281-2828

Website: http://www.rumorbrewing.com/

Hours: Mon – Sun 11am – 8pm (sometimes later!) Closed Thanksgiving and Christmas. Music on Sundays 4-7ish April-Oct. Special events held regularly…check our music page for details.