New Mexico has quietly become one of the great craft beer states in the American West, and Albuquerque is where most of the action is concentrated. A Friday afternoon tap room crawl through Nob Hill and East Downtown is the most fun way to discover what the local brewing scene has built.

The route starts at Marble Brewery's original taproom — the grandfather of the Albuquerque craft beer scene, opened in 2008. From there it is a short hop to Bosque Brewing's Nob Hill location, then Tractor Brewing's Wells Park taproom.

Each taproom has its own character: Marble is lively and social, Bosque is polished and food-forward, Tractor is the hometown dive you instantly feel comfortable in.

This is the Friday night that ends with you telling everyone back home that Albuquerque was the best surprise of the trip.