East Village is the epicenter of the Little Rock beer scene this weekend with two huge events happening at the same time just two blocks away from each other. Lost Forty’s Festival of Darkness and Nighty Night 2019 release party kicks off Saturday at 5 p.m. More than two dozen breweries from around the state and beyond will set up shop in the Lost Forty parking lot for a fun beer festival focusing on dark beer. Of course, this will also be the release event for the fifth version of Nighty Night, Lost Forty’s annual three-barrel-aged imperial stout. This is the only time Nighty Night will be available until mid-November, so you’ll want to stop by and pick up your 4-pack. Tickets to Festival of Darkness are $20 and are on sale now.
Then at 7 p.m. just up 6th Street, Rebel Kettle Brewing Company will host Little Rock metal band Hell Camino as it releases its third album. The release party includes a free concert on the Rebel Kettle stage as well as the 2019 release of Hell Camino Chipotle Porter. This spicy porter comes in at 6.66% ABV (naturally) and is brewed with poblanos, jalapenos and Carolina reapers. For the first time, Hell Camino will also be available in four-packs to go. I personally plan on walking between the two breweries Saturday night, as both events promise to be well worth the visit.
If you need to get your Lost Forty fix before Saturday, there’s a good reason to stop by the taproom today. The brewery’s Freshcut Monday release is Currant Mood Currant and Cherry Ale. It’s a 5% ABV ale made sweet and tart by the addition of dark cherry and rich currants in the brew. This is a favorite holiday season brew, so naturally Lost Forty is making it available in six-packs to go. It will also get statewide distribution, so keep an eye out at your local liquor store. Currant Mood gets its release today at 4 p.m.
The MacPark location of Stone’s Throw Brewing has a couple of fun events this week. Its #NewBrewFriday release is a double, featuring The Liereman and Coffee Lager. The Liereman is a 7% ABV Belgian brown with fruity esters, mild spice and a warm finish. For the Coffee Lager, Stone’s Throw partnered with 2Twenty1 coffee shop in downtown Little Rock. Roasted Ethiopian coffee beans pair with a sweet, citrusy lager for a malty brew with a coffee kick. Both brews go on tap at the MacPark location at 4 p.m. Friday. Then on Saturday, Stone’s Throw is hosting its annual Pints and Pumpkins event. Bring your own pumpkin or buy one at the biergarden, then put your creativity to work! Stone’s Throw will have awards for the scariest, funniest, and most creative pumpkin carvings. Pints and Pumpkins goes from 1 to 5 p.m. on Saturday.
And Arkansas’ newest brewery is wasting no time getting into the Halloween spirit. StudDuck Beers in Lonsdale is debuting its Great Pumpkin Stout at the taproom this Saturday from 2 to 9 p.m. We don’t have much info on the beer, but StudDuck will be holding a family day at the taproom to celebrate, including hot dogs, bratwursts and s’mores. If you’re in the area, you should stop by and check out the new brewery.
Do you have any beer news to share with us? Email steveshuler@gmail.com.
RIP Damgoode Pies
November 20, 2023
