Growlers: Black Friday at Rebel Kettle, Lost Forty Barrel-Ages The Hunter

It’s Thanksgiving week, and every brewery we spoke with in Central Arkansas is going to be closed on Thursday. That means you need to get your Thanksgiving cans, crowlers, growlers and bombers squared away by Wednesday. As always, it’s a good thing to support your local brewers, especially considering all of them have beers that pair nicely with traditional Thanksgiving fare.
After Thanksgiving of course is Black Friday, and Rebel Kettle is going all out for one of the biggest retail days of the year. Starting at 9 a.m. and going until 3 p.m., Rebel Kettle is holding Black Friday Beer Brunch, with the full weekend brunch menu available. The regular dinner menu starts at 3 p.m. The taproom will also have seven black beers on tap, including a cellared 5-gallon keg of 2016’s Black Reign, a barrel-aged Russian imperial stout. Rebel Kettle is also discounting all 10-, 12- and 16-ounce pours by $1, and growler fill-ups will be $2 off both the 32- and 64-ounce growlers fills. Even if fighting the retail crowds on Friday isn’t your thing (and it is certainly not my thing), stopping by Rebel Kettle will be a smart idea.
Bubba Brews is finally set to open its new taproom on Central Ave. next week. The Spa City Taproom is set for a November 30 opening day. It’s located in the old Bank of America building across from the south end of Bathhouse Row. This marks the third Bubba Brews location in Central Arkansas. Earlier this year, the team opened the Lake Hamilton spot, a giant three-story taproom and restaurant with boat slips for dockside arrival. We’ll have a preview of the Spa City Taproom up next week.
Lost Forty’s popular Oktoberfest brew The Hunter is almost gone, but the brewery still has a special treat for fans of the ale. Today at 4 p.m., it is releasing a small batch of The Hunter aged in a rye whiskey barrel. This pour comes in at 7.5 percent ABV and should be an interesting mash-up of flavor profiles. It’s only available at the taproom; no cans, growlers or crowlers available for this limited release. While you’re there, grab a few four- and six-packs for Thanksgiving dinner.
You can also get discounted growler fill-ups Wednesday from Flyway Brewing, including the popular Bluewing Berry Wheat and the newly released Fruit Cake Dubbel. This new one is out today and weighs in at a very warm 8.5 percent ABV. Flyway aged the Belgian Dubbel on bourbon-soaked Madagascar vanilla beans and crushed nutmeg, as well as currants, cherries, apricots, dates and plenty of freshly roasted pecans from Charlie’s Nuthouse in Lonoke. With cold weather seemingly here for the season (you never know), this dubbel sounds like a perfect way to keep warm.
Saturday could see a double-release (and some burger fun) from Blue Canoe Brewing Company. The warehouse is set to release this year’s Cranberry Gose on Saturday, just in time for Thanksgiving leftovers. At 4.5 percent ABV, this is an easy, tart drinker that you can enjoy throughout the day. Blue Canoe is also getting ready for the release of Flat Bottom IPA, a 5.5 percent ABV hoppy brew that the brewery hopes to release Saturday as well. And also Saturday, there’s a strong chance that Excaliburger will be stopping by the warehouse, making it a must-go for anybody looking to pair good beer with one of the best burgers in town.
And Stone’s Throw is also gearing up for a Black Friday double brew release. For #NewBrewFriday, the brewery is releasing Black Hops Cascadian Dark Ale, a 7.6-percent ABV American IPA loaded up with hops from the Pacific Northwest. This one might be hoppy, but it does let the malt flavors come through for a well-balanced brew. Also on Friday, Stone’s Throw is releasing Off the Wal-nut Milk Stout. It’s a sweet, creamy stout brewed with black walnuts for a nutty flavor and an earthy nose. Both of these are somewhat limited releases, so make sure to stop by Friday for a taste.
Do you have some beer news you would like to share with us? Email steve@rockcityeats.com.

Share on facebook
Facebook

More Articles