Growlers: Lost Forty Wild Barrels is back, Stone's Throw Barrel-Aged Stout

You might not think of winter as sour beer weather, but that isn’t stopping Lost Forty’s latest installment in what’s been an outstanding Wild Barrels Project. The sixth release is at 4 p.m. today for Freshcut Monday. It’s an American saison fermented in Lost Forty’s foeder with yeast harvested from Dunbar Garden. The sour got a dry-hop of Crystal hops before bottling. It’s going to be available at the taproom by the glass and in bottles to take home. Also, Lost Forty has announced the date for its third anniversary celebration. December 21 will see Lost Forty host a birthday bash with live music and plenty of food and beer. Keep your eye on the brewery’s Facebook page for more information in the coming days.
Stone’s Throw Brewing has a special version of one of its classics coming out for #NewBrewFriday this week. The brewery’s Anniversary Stout is a regular offering at the Rock Street taproom, but this Friday Stone’s Throw is releasing an edition aged in a bourbon barrel from Rock Town Distillery. The standard Anniversary Stout is 8.5 percent ABV; no word yet on how boozy the barrel-aged release will be. Regardless, fans of barrel-aged beers are going to want to check this one out starting at 4 p.m. Friday. Stone’s Throw is also holding its annual neighborhood caroling “Sip and Stroll” event. Meet at the taproom Sunday at 2 p.m. and get ready to walk around MacArthur Park singing carols in your favorite festive outfit.
If you’re doing some holiday shopping in Hot Springs this week, make sure you stop by Superior Bathhouse Brewery across from The Arlington Hotel. Superior has a big winter release on tap called Doane’s Holiday Delight. This one is a 9 percent ABV peppermint double chocolate stout. It’s not a very bitter brew at 35 IBU, which means Doane’s is a bracing brew made up of everything you like about holiday treats. While you’re there, you can pick up a few of Superior’s beer-infused soaps (seriously) for a unique stocking stuffer for someone on your list.
If you’re like me, pizza is hard to pass up during cold weather. And if you’re satisfying your pizza craving at Damgoode Pies this week, make sure to check out Damgoode’s newest holiday brew. It’s called Here Comes Sinterklaas, and it’s a spiced Belgian winter warmer. Sinterklaas is the Dutch and Belgian figure on whom we base our modern Santa Claus. His namesake’s beer is a darker wheat beer that should handle its warming duties well at 7.1 percent ABV. This one is available at all Damgoode locations.
And if you get to make the trip out to Arkansas’ favorite little beer farm this week, Prestonrose Farm and Brewing Company has a couple of new releases for you to try. Head brewer Liz Preston just released Dragon Volant this past weekend. It’s a French farmhouse saison brewed with bitter oranges and hops that have plenty of citrus aromas. Prestonrose also has the new PBXL on tap. It’s an amber ale brewed with peanuts for a flavor that Preston says is reminiscent of peanut butter toast. Both of these brews are available by the glass or in growlers to go at Prestonrose.
Do you have some beer news you’d like to share with us? Email me at steve@rockcityeats.com.