Today is the final barrel-aged Freshcut Monday of February at Lost Forty Brewing. The brewery is putting on draft two versions of its Forest King Imperial Stout: one aged in rye barrels and one aged in bourbon barrels. Fans of Lost Forty’s Nighty Night will recognize that these are two of the three barrel-aged variations that make up the brewery’s yearly barrel-aged standout. The rye barrel is from Woodford Reserve in Kentucky and should have flavors of spiced chocolate, coffee, marshmallow and other notes. The bourbon barrel is from Four Roses and should impart classic flavors of vanilla, oak and sweet chocolate. Both of these brews are very limited: there is no distribution and no crowlers or growlers to take home. So get to the brewery today and raise a glass to one amazing month of barrel aging from the Lost Forty team.
I’d argue that nobody in Little Rock does more with hoppy beers than the folks at Rebel Kettle, and this week’s 4:30 Thursday event is one of their most fun events yet. The brewery is holding an “East vs. West” battle on Thursday with the release of America’s Most Flaunted American Pale Ale and a west-coast double IPA called The West Will Rise Again. Starting in the East corner, America’s Most Flaunted is a 6.5 percent ABV American pale ale brewed New England-style. It gets dry-hopped five times for a hazy, juicy brew. The West Will Rise Again is also Block #8 in Rebel Kettle’s C-Street IPA series and is a tribute to the biggest beers made by west coast breweries. It combines toasted malt and tons of hops for a beer you’d expect to find in Portland. Of course, you have to be there to decide whether east or west wins this one.
As if you needed another reason to get to Hot Springs, Superior Bathhouse Brewery is offering a chance to own a one-of-a-kind beer souvenir on Thursday. The brewery has commissioned a limited number of stoneware growlers in bathhouse green that look absolutely amazing (seriously, take a peek). These are only available at Superior Bathhouse and will go on sale March 1. The $70 price tag also includes your new growler’s first fill-up. These growlers aren’t likely to sit around very long, so you’ll want to make plans to pick one up as soon as possible.
Buffalo Brewing Company at The Water Buffalo is making a name for itself in Park Hill. Nolen Buffalo and his team have been brewing Park Hill Blackberry Ale for North Bar that has become a hit. North Bar donates $1 of every pint sold to the Park Hill Business and Merchants Association, and last week North Bar delivered its third check worth $264. Be sure to look for it when you visit North Bar; you get to support a local brewery and a local merchant’s association all in one glass.
It’s no longer fall, but that’s not stopping Stone’s Throw Brewing from releasing a new Marzen-style ale for its #NewBrewFriday event. It’s called MacPark Marzen after the nearby MacArthur Park. At 5.5 percent ABV and only 22 IBU, this classic Oktoberfest shows off amber color with loads of sweet malt notes and a rich aroma of baked bread. And if Marzens aren’t your thing, Stone’s Throw will also be releasing its classic Dunbar Wit brew and its Amarillo Warrior Double IPA on Friday as well.
Do you have any beer news you want to share with us? Email steve@rockcityeats.com.