Beerland Season 1 Episode 1 New Mexico

In the first episode of Beerland's first season, host and beer enthusiast Meg Gill heads to New Mexico to uncover the best homebrewers the state has to offer. Gill, who is also co-founder and president of the Golden Road Brewing Company in Los Angeles, is no stranger to the craft beer scene. However, she's on a mission to find and promote undiscovered brewers that have the potential to go further.

Gill begins her journey by meeting with local producer Mark Matheson, who shows her around the scenic countryside. Along the way, she reveals some of the qualities she's looking for in a winning beer, such as a unique flavor profile, high drinkability, and the brewer's passion for their craft. Matheson takes her to a brewery in Taos that boasts local ingredients like blue corn, red chili, and honey, which impresses Gill.

After meeting Matheson, Gill heads to Albuquerque where she meets the local homebrew clubs. Here she begins the intriguing process of finding the best homebrewers the state has to offer. At her first stop, she joins the Dark Side Brew Crew and evaluates a range of beers. She discovers two brewers that stand out, Rachel and Olivia, who have created a unique beer featuring the fruity and spicy flavors of poblano peppers. The women share their inspiration and passion for brewing with Gill as she tastes their intriguing contender for the top spot.

Next up is Gene, a beer enthusiast who doesn't just brew, but also grows his ingredients. He shows Gill around his garden and explains how he's using the largest Pueblo chile plant in the world to create his beer. From his garden, Gill samples a jalapeno beer, an IPA-style beer, and a Belgian-style Dubbel that uses dates grown near his house. Although impressed with all his offerings, Gill must choose which beer stands out in the competition.

The final brewer is Jesse, a self-taught beer maker who leaves his corporate job to pursue his passion. Jesse takes Gill on a tour of his brewery, and somewhere between his fermenting tanks and his unique, hand-drawn label designs, he impresses her with his passion and determination. As he shares his story from his corporate life to his current pursuit, he serves Gill several brews that represent the diversity of his craft. It's a tough decision, but Gill ultimately chooses the contender that she believes best represents New Mexico in her quest for the best homebrewer.

Throughout the episode, it is apparent that the state of New Mexico is home to many talented homebrewers who have unique stories and passion for their craft. Gill is impressed with the creativity of these brewers and their dedication to their ingredients, their methodology, and their communities. However, she must narrow the competitors down to just one, and she takes this decision as seriously as the rest of her mission.

Overall, Beerland's first episode is engaging and charming, offering viewers the opportunity to see unique individuals showcase their passion for craft brewing. Gill's overall approach is insightful; she is looking for those brewers that not only create unique, exciting brews but also have a strong story behind their passion. This promotional series isn't focused just on the craft of brewing but also on the people behind it. An excellent choice for lovers of beer and a great introduction to this new show.