Growlers: Bike Rack Available Today, Ark. Craft Bought Out, Blue Canoe Cans Otter Tail

American Craft Beer Week kicks off today, and Bike Rack Brewing from Bentonville is celebrating by releasing its beers into Central Arkansas. All this week you can find the Bike Rack team (including head brewer Josiah Moody) at special release events around the city. Here’s the schedule:

Central Arkansas will see Bike Rack’s amber ale, golden ale and IPA in cans and on draft around the city. The oatmeal stout will also be on draft. You can also expect to see seasonal cans and draft starting this summer with a Czech-style pilsner.
In news that will almost certainly change Little Rock’s beer scene, Arkansas Craft Distributors has sold to Glazer’s Distributors. Arkansas Craft is responsible for bringing some of craft beer’s biggest names to Arkansas, like Dogfish Head, Mother’s Brewing, Bell’s, Sweetwater, Lagunitas, Great Raft and many more. Our friend John the Beer Snob has a full write-up and analysis on the sale. Glazer’s has promised it will bring on staff from Arkansas Craft; it’s a smart move considering the talented and passionate people who work there. It remains to be seen how each of ACD’s breweries will be impacted and how this affects attracting more national craft beer names to Arkansas in the future.
Blue Canoe Brewing Company has released its second canned beer just in time for summer. Otter Tail Blonde Ale is an easy drinking 4.2 percent ABV ale that is now available in six-packs at the taproom and at the warehouse. You can also find it and cans of 4×4 Pale Ale at several liquor stores around town, including Colonial, Legacy, 107 Liquor and many others. You should check it out while you’re at the CattyWampus event at the warehouse Saturday. CattyWampus is a creative community based in Northwest Arkansas that supports arts and crafts makers. Around 60 vendors will be at the Blue Canoe warehouse Saturday, along with plenty of kids’ activities, food trucks and live music. The event goes from 10 a.m. until 10 p.m.
Lost Forty Brewing has a busy week this week, starting today at 4 p.m. for its Freshcut Monday release. This week, it’s Space Panda, a new version of its Trash Panda IPA brewed with Galaxy and Citra hops. It’s a small batch that’s only available by the pint at the taproom. Then tomorrow, Painting with a Twist is dropping by for a special paint class. Instead of wine, your admission ticket gets you two pours of Lost Forty plus some other giveaways. On Wednesday, the Lost Forty team heads across the river to Cregeen’s Irish Pub for a tap takeover and $4 pint night. Then on Thursday, it’s a big beer dinner at The Capital Hotel, featuring appetizers and a four-course pairing. Tickets are available for $78.60. To be honest, all of these events sound like a blast; pick one and enjoy some Lost Forty brews either around town or at the taproom.
Stone’s Throw Brewing is bringing back one of my favorite fruit beers in Central Arkansas for its #NewBrewFriday release. Pit Boss is a 5.8 percent ABV peach Hefeweizen that Stone’s Throw first brewed in collaboration with Bubba Brews in Bonnerdale. It is light, balanced and refreshing, and you can bet I’ll be having it at least once this spring. That goes on tap at 4 p.m. By the way, cigar lovers should take advantage of early bird pricing for an upcoming Stone’s Throw evening with West End Cigars. From now until Friday, $45 gets you two cigars paired with Stone’s Throw beer and some light appetizers. After Friday, tickets go up to $55. The cigar pairing is at Stone’s Throw on Monday, May 21.
Do you have some beer news you would like to share with us? Email steve@rockcityeats.com.

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