BREWERIES
Santa Fe Brewing releases Zozobra 102 Mexican dark lager
Special release features new can art by New Mexico artist Mona Aragon
After a strong debut, Santa Fe Brewing鈥檚 Zozobra-themed beer is returning earlier and in greater quantity for 2026.
The beer, which is known as Zozobra 102, is a Mexican dark lager released in collaboration with the Kiwanis Club of Santa Fe ahead of the iconic festival. The 102nd Burning of the Zozobra will take place on Friday, Sept. 4, at Fort Marcy Park in Santa Fe.
鈥淲e decided it was very well received in a style that I think really resonates with people here in New Mexico, and also our fan base,鈥 Brian Lock, Santa Fe Brewing Co. CEO, said. 鈥淚 think they look forward to that style of beer being released on an annual basis. That鈥檚 why we kind of decided to just keep that Mexican-lager style and brew the same beer each year.
鈥淚t鈥檚 a very approachable style,鈥 he added. 鈥淚t is a little darker, obviously, in color than a typical lager, but it drinks very much like a lager does. I would call it very silky, smooth 鈥 a very easy finish.鈥
In previous years, Santa Fe Brewing sold its own beers at the festival, but that changed in 2024, when the brewery offered three special release beers. The most popular of those, the Zozobra 101, returned last year with special commemorative can art of Old Man Gloom. Approximately 500 cases with the collectible cans were distributed to retail outlets and Santa Fe Brewing taprooms ahead of the festival, and they sold out quickly.
This year鈥檚 can art, which features a different variation of Old Man Gloom, is designed by New Mexico artist Mona Aragon.
鈥淚 think it鈥檚 really nice to see the difference between last year鈥檚 can and this year鈥檚 can. They鈥檙e both very unique in their own way, and they both have a different take on Zozobra and the perspective of the Old Man Gloom on the can,鈥 Lock said.
鈥淚t really does become, in my eyes, kind of a collectible because you can look at previous years and how it changes and what the theme might have been in that year.鈥
To accommodate the demand, Lock says that 1,500 cases will be released this year. The beer will also be on draft in taprooms leading up to the event 鈥 and likely available longer than the cans themselves will be on shelves at grocery stores and liquor stores. Proceeds from each can go to 鈥渟upport community initiatives led by Kiwanis Club of Santa Fe,鈥 according to a release.
鈥淓verybody loved the product. We did a minimal amount, and it sold out fairly quickly,鈥 Lock said. 鈥淪o this year we made it a point to release it earlier so we give it more time in the market before the actual burning and before the event. I think last year we released this in like the second week of August, maybe the third week. So it was only like a week or two before the actual burning. Releasing it a full six weeks ahead of time gives the consumers more time to discover it, pick it up 鈥 because it will be limited quantities again.鈥