New Brewers Guild executive director stoked to return to her home state

If the new executive director of the New Mexico Brewers Guild looks familiar to anyone, it would probably to the former loyal customers of one of our state’s classic brewpubs, Chama River, that is sadly no more.

That alone is the first sign that a lot has changed since Tess Vidalis left New Mexico, and Chama River, around 2013 before returning last year. Now she is taking over the role previously held by Leah Black.

After a bit of email back and forth, Vidalis and I were able to meet up at last week at Palmer Brewery to discuss her somewhat unique career path, what led her to the job with NMBG, and what she hopes to accomplish in the role.

“It was very unique,” she said. “In college, I was working at Chama River. I was studying biology (as an) undergrad, and I ended up working there for like six years. I had a great time, I loved all the people, i

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