Box Canyon Brewing pours new life into downtown

A familiar hub for craft beer lovers and music fans is back in business. Box Canyon Brewing Company, a staple of the Socorro community before its closure earlier this year, has reopened its doors under new ownership, promising a fresh chapter steeped in creativity, community and quality brews.

Robert Rincones and his wife Jenilyn have taken over the brewery, which closed on February 28. When Rincones heard the news, he knew the community couldn’t afford to lose such a cherished gathering place.

“This was a great place for live local music and to bring friends,” Rincones said. “I contacted the previous owner and made arrangements to purchase it.” The doors reopened on April 24.

The new owner may be new to brewing, but he’s no stranger to business — or beer. He previously ran five Mrs. Fields cookie franchises in Arizona and has been touring breweries for nearly a decade. He now works alongside head brewer David Kinder, who has stayed on board to keep Box Canyon’s unique beer lineup flowing.

Kinder, who started brewing as a teenager, brings a creative flair to the brewery’s tap list. “I like to think of things I haven’t had before,” he said. His experimental beers include a pre-Prohibition porter brewed with date syrup and the whimsical “Enchanted Pie Ale,” a lemon meringue pie-inspired creation.

One of the latest additions is “Maiden Voyage,” the brewery’s newest IPA. The name is fitting — it’s the first beer designed and brewed by Rincones under Kinder’s mentorship.

Box Canyon is more than a brewery — it’s a community space. Located near the plaza in downtown Socorro, it offers live music every Friday and Saturday, board games, art exhibits, and a full food menu featuring wraps, paninis, chili Frito pie, poké bowls, and the fan-favorite black bean pie — a house original that’s gaining popularity.

The brewery also hosts the local running club after their weekend runs. “It’s just great to see the regulars that come in, day in and day out, to meet friends, have a beer, have something to eat,” Rincones said.

While the brewery’s size is modest, the output is impressive. Each brew batch yields about 31 gallons, and production runs at least twice a week. For those who want to take the beer home, Box Canyon offers 32-ounce “crawlers,” filled and canned on demand.

Looking ahead, Kinder is excited about seasonal releases like the American wheat, a California Common timed with Socorro’s 49ers celebration, and a new extra pale ale — “a delicious, hoppy beer,” as he describes it — which is currently in production.

Box Canyon Brewing Company is open Wednesday through Sunday, with varying hours: 4–9 p.m. on Wednesdays, 11:30 a.m.–9 p.m. on Thursdays and Sundays, and 11:30 a.m.–10 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays.

“We’re excited to be reopened,” Rincones said. “The community has definitely embraced us, and we’re doing all we can to support Socorro.”