Lost Forty Brewing is holding a special edition of its Freshcut Monday starting today at 4 p.m. with a double release of Gose the Traveller. This is the recipe submitted by homebrewer Chris Poe that won the Lost Forty Pro-Am Brewing Competition earlier this year. It’s a traditional gose that’s brewed with salt and coriander, then given a quick-sour treatment. What’s special about this event is that an Arkansas homebrewer is getting his beer canned. Lost Forty is distributing the cans to select stores around Central Arkansas. In addition, the Lost Forty brew team made a separate batch and brewed it with some Cave City watermelons for a Watermelon Gose the Traveller. The watermelon version is only available by the pint at the taproom; the standard recipe is available in crowlers, growlers and six-packs.
Perhaps no Arkansas brewery pushes the envelope like Rebel Kettle, and they’re at it again this week. For its 4:30 Thursday, the brewery is debuting Jim Bean, a cream stout brewed with coffee that has been aged in a rye whiskey barrel. That’s right, it’s the coffee that’s getting the barrel-aged treatment instead of the beer. Rebel Kettle says it makes for a unique flavor profile that includes rich milk chocolate, oak and vanilla. This is a special collaboration with Brew Yaya Coffee in Cabot, and Rebel Kettle says it will continue experimenting with different ways to age ingredients that go into the final brew. Also this week is Beer Yoga, tomorrow night at 7 p.m. As usual, $10 covers your yoga class and your first beer. Please bring your own yoga mat and towel, as well as your ID.
Flyway Brewing next week is planning a special beer dinner with Honey Pies in West Little Rock. On Thursday, Sept. 7, Honey Pies will host the “Octoberfest Open House” to celebrate its major dining room expansion. Several savory dishes made with Flyway beers will be served, including a Polish sausage and beer cheese pretzel bite, and an Oktoberfest brats and kraut pot pie. This is a ticketed event; you can get your $30 ticket right now by calling Honey Pies at 501-613-7950. By the way, that Flyway Oktoberfest is on tap right now at the brewery, and it is a dandy. Flyway specializes in executing traditional styles, and this malty 6-percent ABV Marzen is just another example of Flyway’s abilities. It’s available at the taproom by the pint and in growlers to go.
Speaking of Oktoberfest beers, one of my favorites ever is Southern Rok by Bubba Brews (one of our best beverages of 2016). Southern Rok is now on tap at the Bonnerdale location and should start to show up around Little Rock later this week. At 6.2 percent ABV, it’s almost identical to last year’s recipe. Bubba Brews also plans to hold an event this fall with a firkin-conditioned Southern Rok; keep your eyes here for that announcement. Also, after a few delays, Bubba Brews new taproom in downtown Hot Springs should be ready to open later this month. We wil keep you posted on the exact date.
If you like some variety in your beer releases, you’ll want to hit up Stone’s Throw Brewing this Friday for a triple release #NewBrewFriday event. The brewery’s Oktoberfest Big Dam Horn O’ Plenty is making its 2017 debut, as is the Amer Belge Belgian IPA. And Stone’s Throw is releasing a brand new brew in Emily’s Mango Gose, which should be a light, tart contrast to the other two more assertive brews. These are Stone’s Throw’s fall seasonals, so you’ll be able to enjoy them over the next couple of months.
The Flying Saucer is holding a special tribute to Frank Broyles on Thursday for the Hogs’ season opener. All day Thursday, the Saucer will have some rare beers on tap from around the world. $1 from each of these rare taps will go to the Broyles Foundation. All Arkansas pints on Thursday are just $3.50.
And finally, it’s time to start planning for Little Rocktoberfest 2017, one of the best beer festivals of the year. This festival is put on by Central Arkansas Fermenters, meaning you’ll get to try a wide range of Arkansas homebrewers in addition to your favorite beers from Arkansas and around the world. The event is Saturday, Sept. 23, at Dickey-Stephens Park in North Little Rock. Tickets to Little Rocktoberfest are on sale now for $30; they go up to $40 the day of the event. For $65, you get the VIP pass, which gets you in an hour earlier and some special swag. Get your tickets now before you forget and have to pay more the day of the event.
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
