Welcome to Growlers: your weekly roundup of news, events and specials from Little Rock’s breweries and taprooms. Little Rock’s beer scene is growing and improving at a rapid pace, and we’re dedicated to keeping you up to speed on all of it. Here’s what’s happening this week:
If you follow Little Rock’s beer scene closely, you’ve probably heard of Blood Eagle Brewing Company, a group of motorcycle-riding tattoo artists who also brew up some beer in their spare time. Up until now, Blood Eagle hasn’t been able to nail down a consistent brewing location, so most people haven’t had a chance to try their beer. But all that changed when The Water Buffalo opened Buffalo Brewing Company. Blood Eagle has been brewing there for months now, and on Jan. 20, the brewery will release its debut beer in The Water Buffalo’s taproom. Called Sitra Cadabra, this session IPA is loaded with Citra hops, but at 4.8 percent ABV, it won’t knock you out right away. The Water Buffalo has been a dynamite source to get local beers you can’t find anywhere else in the state, and Sitra Cadabra promises to be another hard-to-find brew. The kickoff event starts at 4 p.m. Growlers will be sold of Sitra Cadabra and Buffalo Brewing Company’s other 15 taps.
It’s gotten to the point where if you know Josiah Moody is putting a beer in a barrel, it’s going to be good. Which is why I strongly encourage you to get to Vino’s on Friday for a limited release of Moody Brews barrel-aged imperial stout. This imperial stout aged for a full year in a Rock Town Distillery rye whiskey barrel, and at 11 percent ABV, you probably won’t need more than one. Only 50 gallons of this beer will be available, so you don’t want to wait past this weekend to check it out. Oh, and Moody mentioned he might try this one on a nitro tap as well. If barrel aging isn’t your thing, however, Moody is also finishing up his 2017 Katchiri’s Bier, which should be ready to go next week.
Get ready for a 4:30 Thursday unlike any Rebel Kettle has put on this week. The new release is Winter Plow, a farmhouse saison brewed with orange peel and ginger. To mark the event, Christopher Wayman from Heifer International will be bringing some baby goats to the brewery for you and the children to meet and play with. That’s right, real baby goats. Bring the kids, grab a glass and enjoy. Also, Rebel Kettle saw so much business on its snow day special that it’s making it a regular thing. Every Sunday, all 10-ounce, 12-ounce and 16-ounce pours are $1 off and all growler refills are $2 off all day.
Stone’s Throw Brewing has two beers coming to the taproom for #NewBrewFriday. First, it’s Lil Peaty’s Wee Heavy, a Scotch ale with peat moss flavors that comes in at 8.5 percent ABV. It’s been over a year since Stone’s Throw has made this one, but it was one of my favorites when it was on tap. Also, Stone’s Throw is tapping its bourbon-barrel aged Pumpkin Pie Porter, which went into the barrel during the fall of 2016. Lastly, Stone’s Throw has promised some news ahead that seems to be directed at keeping its guests from getting hungry while enjoying their beers. We’ll keep you posted on that one.
If citrus is your thing, Lost Forty should be your destination today. The taproom is debuting its Ruby Red Day Drinker, which blends its traditional Belgian ale with Texas red grapefruits, tangerines and naval oranges. Day Drinker is an extremely easy-drinking beer, and the extra citrus notes should be an interesting highlight. And if you want dinner with your Ruby Red, Lost Forty is creating a new fish taco dish to go pair with the beer.
Flyway Brewing is pretty quiet this week, but still has a game night with Little Rock’s Game Goblins coming Tuesday night. More than 20 board and card games will be available for you and your friends to enjoy. Also, Flyway still has its Fruit Cake Old Ale, a 9.2 percent ABV brew, that should chase away any lingering effects from the cold and snow last week.
Do you have some beer news you would like to share with us? Email me at steve@rockcityeats.com.
RIP Damgoode Pies
November 20, 2023
