Flyway fans won’t want to miss the brewery’s Friday release of its winter seasonal Bufflehead Double Bock. Besides being one of the best-named beers of 2017, Bufflehead is a classic dopplebock brewed with German malts and lagered for more than six weeks. Flyway describes this as a “sneaky” beer, with an 8.5 percent ABV that is hidden well by a full malt character and smooth finish. If, like me, you wonder what a bufflehead is, it’s a sea duck with brilliant plumage and an oddly shaped head. When its feathers puff out, the duck’s head looks much bigger than it is. Of course, you’ll have to reach the bottom of the glass before you realize how big Bufflehead Double Bock is. This one is available by the pint and in growlers for taking home.
If you missed last week’s release at Flying Saucer, this is the week you can get your hands on the collaboration brew with Rebel Kettle and Springfield-based Mother’s Brewing Company. Hipster Banana goes on tap for 4:30 Thursday at Rebel Kettle. You can read the details of the brew here; basically it’s a sour pale ale that was brewed with paw paws, an indigenous fruit with some tropical characteristics. If you can’t wait for Thursday, you can find Hipster Banana in bottles right now at select liquor stores around Central Arkansas. By the way, those of you waiting for Rebel Kettle’s second canning project have a couple more weeks to wait. Head brewer John Lee tells me Purple Dinosour cans should be coming later this month.
Lost Forty Brewing has a unique debut today for Freshcut Monday. The brewery is releasing Big Shirley Belgian Brunette at 4 p.m. today. This Belgian table ale is darker than a traditional Belgian, giving the beer a fuller body and a wide range of aromas. Lost Forty says you should pick up notes of raisin bread, biscuit, pine and fig. This one isn’t bitter at all, and at 7.5 percent ABV, it should warm you up nicely. This small batch is going to be available by the pint and to-go in crowlers, growlers and six-packs.
With the move to the new warehouse on 15th Street, Blue Canoe Brewing Company didn’t have time to do its regular winter special Holiday Express. Typically, brewer Patrick Cowan makes a batch of Belgian dark strong ale that he barrel-ages for months before releasing it in bottles. So no bottles this year, but Cowan did get time to make a small batch that will go in a Firkin Saturday and be available at the taproom. But if you really wanted the barrel-aged version, you need to get there early Saturday. Cowan cellared a few bottles of Holiday Express last year, and Blue Canoe will sell them Saturday, first come first served. Holiday Express is my favorite beer Blue Canoe has ever made, so I urge you to get there for a bottle Saturday.
Slate Rock Brewing, which aims to be Clark County’s first ever brewery, is slowly moving toward getting the space opened. The brewery is working on getting draught equipment ordered and finishing up the walk-in cooler. Slate Rock is still working on a crowd-sourced loan to help pay for some of the equipment costs. Kiva loans are different in that donors will get their money back after the business gets started. If you are interested in supporting, but sure to check out the loan link.
Do you have any beer news you would like to share with Rock City Eats? Email me at steve@rockcityeats.com.
RIP Damgoode Pies
November 20, 2023
