Restaurant
Unclaimed profileTwo Cranes Bistro & Brew
Albuquerque, NM · $$
Inebrious
Beverage Program Score
The editorial take
Two Cranes Bistro & Brew pairs an inventive cocktail list with a deep local beer draft. The Hellfire Old Fashioned and Hot Lavender Margarita show a playful, modern hand, while New Mexico breweries dominate a uniform-priced tap list. Wine is serviceable; N/A options are minimal but intentional.
- What should I order?
- Start with the Hellfire Old Fashioned: Old Forester 1897 Bourbon, Hellfire Bitters, orange-infused simple, and Angostura. For a local beer, try Bosque's Jetty Jack Amber or Ex Novo's Mass Ascention IPA, both $6.50.
- Who will enjoy this place?
- Cocktail enthusiasts who appreciate creative house recipes and beer drinkers seeking local New Mexico breweries will both find reasons to stay. The wine list is straightforward for those who want a glass without fuss.
- When should I go?
- Game days are the moment for beer buckets: four for $16 or six for $24 during NFL games. Otherwise, any time the draft rotation turns over.
- What should I expect to spend?
- Cocktails run $12-$14; drafts are uniformly $6.50. Wine by the glass is $6-$12, bottles $24-$45.
- What makes the beverage program distinctive?
- A cocktail list that leans into local ingredients and a draft list that showcases New Mexico breweries at a single price point. The beer bucket promotion during NFL games is a practical crowd-pleaser.
Beverage categories
We only score what a venue sets out to do. Categories a venue doesn't attempt are left unscored rather than penalized.
Cocktails
Five house cocktails, each built with named spirits and fresh modifiers. The range shows a playful streak: bourbon with Hellfire Bitters, reposado with hot honey and lavender, gin with rose. Prices are fair.
Menu strengths
- — Creative recipes with specific spirit choices, such as Old Forester 1897 and Herradura Reposado.
- — Local ingredient focus mentioned in the menu description.
- — Broad stylistic spread from a sparkling gin cocktail to a chai martini.
Standout selections
- — Hellfire Old Fashioned – Old Forester 1897 Bourbon, Hellfire Bitters, orange-infused simple.
- — Hot Lavender Margarita – Herradura Reposado, hot honey, lavender, Tajin rim.
Pricing: $12-$14
Wine
A compact list of eight wines, mostly by glass and bottle, spanning Italy, California, and Southern France. Sparkling options lead, with a Prosecco and a California Brut Champagne.
Menu strengths
- — Multiple sparkling wines available by the glass and bottle.
- — Reasonable price range for both glass pours and full bottles.
Standout selections
- — Maschio Prosecco – $9 glass / $34 bottle.
- — Mer Soleil Chardonnay – $9 glass / $32 bottle.
Pricing: $6-$12 glass; $24-$45 bottle
Beer
An extensive draft list heavy on New Mexico breweries, with all drafts uniformly priced at $6.50. Rotating taps and seasonal selections keep the list current. Buckets are a game-day value.
Menu strengths
- — Diverse local representation: Marble, Bosque, Santa Fe, Steel Bender, Sandia, Ex Novo.
- — Uniform $6.50 draft pricing simplifies choice.; Beer bucket deals during NFL games add value.
Standout selections
- — Bosque Jetty Jack Amber – 5.8% ABV.; Ex Novo Mass Ascention IPA – 6.9% ABV.
Pricing: $6.50 drafts; buckets 4/$16, 6/$24 during NFL games
Nonalcoholic
Two nonalcoholic options are listed: a house lavender lemonade and a local kombucha. Both are simple but thoughtful alternatives to beer and wine.
Menu strengths
- — House-shaken lavender lemonade offers a crafted N/A choice.
- — Local kombucha from UrbanMama505 is a distinctive nonalcoholic option.
Standout selections
- — House Shaken Lavender Lemonade; UrbanMama505 Rosie Black Kombucha
Pricing: Not specified
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