Get Ready for Spring Runoff 2025: Santa Fe Brewing's Celebration of Outdoors, Beer, and Community

As the high-desert sun warms Santa Fe and the scent of piñon fills the air, there’s a palpable buzz around town. Spring is a magical time in The City Different, a season of renewal and rediscovery, especially when it comes to enjoying the great outdoors that surround us. And what better way to kick off the season than with cold craft beer, live music, fun activities, and a chance to give back to the land we love?

Mark your calendars for Saturday, April 26th, 2025, because Santa Fe Brewing Company (SFBC) is hosting its annual Spring Runoff festival at their headquarters just south of town. From 12 PM to 9 PM, this event promises a full day celebrating New Mexico's incredible outdoor recreation opportunities, fostering community spirit, and supporting vital local non-profits. As your Santa Fe Insider, let me give you the scoop on the history of this fantastic event, why it’s an absolute must-attend, and a few things you might not know about it.

More Than Just a Beer Fest: The History and Heart of Spring Runoff

Spring Runoff isn't just another festival on the calendar; it’s rooted in Santa Fe Brewing Company's commitment to its home state. Founded in 1988, SFBC holds the distinction of being New Mexico's original craft brewery. They’ve grown from humble beginnings (literally three cowboys with used equipment!) to become the state's largest brewery, canning pioneers (first in NM back in 2010!), and a beloved local institution.

But SFBC wanted to do more than just brew great beer. In April 2022, they launched their 4NM initiative, a philanthropic commitment designed to support the New Mexico community across four key areas: Environment & Clean Water, Outdoor Recreation, Arts & Culture, and Local Community. Their goal? To help make "mañana better than today" for the state they call home. Fittingly, the very first Spring Runoff event served as the official launch for this entire 4NM initiative.

Spring Runoff embodies the first two pillars of 4NM perfectly. It's a direct celebration of New Mexico’s stunning landscapes and the myriad ways we enjoy them – hiking, biking, climbing, fishing, or just soaking up the sunshine. Simultaneously, it serves as a crucial fundraiser for non-profit organizations working tirelessly to protect these natural resources and ensure access for everyone. Held at the brewery's expansive headquarters, often utilizing their dedicated indoor/outdoor event venue "The Bridge," the festival brings together the threads of Santa Fe culture: a deep love for the outdoors, a strong sense of community, and, naturally, a passion for excellent craft beer.

Why Spring Runoff 2025 is a Must-Go Event

So, why should you clear your schedule for April 26th? Here’s the insider rundown:

1. The Unbeatable Vibe: Expect a day filled with positive energy. It’s a gathering of people who love New Mexico, love being outside, and love good beer. It’s incredibly family-friendly too – kids 12 and under get in free, and there are plenty of games and activities designed just for them. It’s the perfect place to connect with fellow adventurers and celebrate the arrival of spring.
2. Live Music All Day: Get ready to groove! Spring Runoff features a full lineup of live music across two stages, ensuring a constant soundtrack to your day. While specific bands vary year to year, you can count on a diverse range of sounds keeping the energy high from noon till night.
3. Fresh SFBC Brews: It’s happening at the brewery! Enjoy Santa Fe Brewing’s signature beers, like the ever-popular Happy Camper IPA or the crisp 7K IPA, practically steps from where they were brewed. Nothing beats a fresh pint straight from the source.
4. Adventure Awaits (Safely!): This isn't just a stand-around-and-listen event. Get hands-on with a fantastic array of included activities. Fancy trying axe throwing? Want to test your skills on a climbing wall? How about some mini-golf, yard games, or even archery? It's all part of the fun and included with your ticket.
5. Connect with the Community: Mingle with local outdoor recreation shops, adventure companies, talented artisans, and conservation groups. Discover new local businesses, learn about outdoor opportunities, and find ways to get involved with causes protecting our wild places.
6. Party with a Purpose: This is the heart of it. Your attendance directly benefits incredible New Mexico non-profits. This year's beneficiaries include:
   • Nature Niños: Working to connect children and families, especially from underserved communities, with the wonders of nature through outdoor experiences and education.
   • New Mexico Wildlife Federation: Advocating for the conservation of New Mexico's wildlife habitat and promoting outdoor traditions like hunting and fishing.
   • Backcountry Hunters & Anglers (NM Chapter): Dedicated to preserving the quiet, challenging backcountry experience and protecting public lands and waters for sportsmen and women.
   • New Mexico Search and Rescue Council: Supporting the network of highly trained, volunteer teams who respond to emergencies across the state, saving lives in the wilderness.
7. Incredible Value: All this – a full day of music, activities, community connection, and supporting great causes – comes with a ticket price of just $10. It’s less a fee and more a donation that unlocks an amazing day of fun.

5 Things You Probably Didn't Know About Spring Runoff

Okay, you know the basics, but here are a few insider tidbits to impress your friends:

1. It Launched SFBC's Philanthropic Arm: Spring Runoff isn't just part of the 4NM initiative; the very first one held in April 2022 was the official kickoff event for SFBC's entire formalized giving program. Talk about starting with a bang!
2. The Name Has Deep Local Roots: "Spring Runoff" isn't just a catchy phrase. It directly references the annual snowmelt from the Sangre de Cristo mountains that feeds New Mexico's rivers and streams. This runoff is absolutely critical for our state's ecosystems, agriculture, acequias, and the very outdoor recreation (and water for brewing!) the event celebrates.
3. It’s Held at a Pro Venue: The event takes place at SFBC HQ, which includes "The Bridge," a dedicated event space with professional capabilities. It features indoor areas, expansive outdoor grounds, a permanent stage, and a pro audio setup (including XYON line arrays and a Behringer console, for the audio geeks!). It’s designed for experiences like this.
4. You're Supporting Real-Life Heroes: When you support NM Search and Rescue via this event, you're backing the all-volunteer force coordinated by the NM State Police. These teams respond to over 120 incidents a year across the state – lost hikers, injured climbers, missing persons – often putting themselves at risk, all without pay. Your ticket helps provide them with necessary resources.
5. It Invests in Future Stewards: Beneficiary Nature Niños (often working with partners like the Audubon Center) focuses specifically on getting local kids, particularly those with limited access, outdoors. By funding their programs, Spring Runoff helps cultivate the next generation of environmental stewards and outdoor lovers who will protect New Mexico's natural heritage long after the party ends.

Don't Miss Out!

Spring Runoff at Santa Fe Brewing Company truly captures the spirit of New Mexico in the springtime. It’s a fantastic blend of outdoor enthusiasm, community connection, great local beer, live music, hands-on fun, and the rewarding feeling of supporting crucial local causes.

Clear your calendar for Saturday, April 26th, 2025, grab your friends and family, and head over to Santa Fe Brewing HQ (35 Fire Place, Santa Fe, NM 87508).

Ready to join the celebration? Get your tickets and all the details directly from Santa Fe Brewing here: https://santafebrewing.com/event/spring-runoff-2025/

We'll see you there!