It is here, it is finally here. Football season starts and the Razorbacks are in action. The growth in craft beer in the state perfectly coincides with the improving Razorback football team, so what better way to take on this season than a local craft beer pairing for every week of the regular season.
UTEP Miners – Blue Canoe Razorback Rye P A
Celebrate the start of a new season with the only local beer we could find with the name Razorback in the title. This is an extremely smooth rye based IPA from one of Little Rock’s newest brewers located at 425 East 3rd Street.
How to get it: Growler fills in store on game day.
Toledo Rockets – Diamond Bear Rocktoberfest
Diamond Bear is Little Rock’s oldest brewery so it is only fitting to drink something from there while the hogs play at the grand old lady (War Memorial Stadium) in Little Rock. This is a traditional Octoberfest style beer that has won more awards than we care to look up.
How to get it: True it is technically not October yet, but these usually start showing up in cans at stores and at the brewery for growler fills in September.
Texas Tech Red Raiders – Apple Blossom Rover Red Ale
Last year in Lubbock Arkansas rolled right over the Red Raiders. Expect much of the same thing this year when the series moves to Fayetteville. This hoppy ale from Fayetteville is perfect for gearing up the rover and running over the Raiders
Where to get it: Head north of the stadium on College in Fayetteville to 1550 E Zion Rd and get you a growler fill. It is on tap most days.
Texas A&M Aggies – Lost Forty Love Honey Bock
The rivalry series against Texas A&M heads back to Dallas. That sweet feeling you feel beating A&M in Jerry World is perfectly paired with the sweet, smooth, and refreshing Love Honey Bock.
Where to get it: Lost Forty beers are mostly distributed in Pulaski County. So stock up on some cans or fill your growler at the brewery before heading down I 30.
Tennessee Volunteers – Lost Forty Hunter Oktoberfest
Regardless of if you are making the trek west across I-40 or watching this one at home your will be seeing a lot of orange. If you make the journey to Knoxville this beer packaged in a bright orange helps you blend in, if not an excellent game is to crush a can for each touchdown we score on the Vols.
Where to get it: Head to Lost Forty Brewery for both cans of these special run brews and growler fills.
Alabama Crimson Tide – Moody Brews Sixes and Sevens
Last year this was a slow, sluggish game. This year could be more of the same with Alabama starting a new QB. Final score prediction? 6 – 7, Making Moody’s popular stout Sixes and Sevens the perfect beer for this game. Smooth, heavy, and a tendency to foam at the mouth, just like this game does every year.
Where to get it: Found in bottles in most liquor stores across Central and Northwest Arkansas
Bye Week – Blue Canoe Wolf Trail Ale
Arkansas has a week off, do yourself a favor and sit back and watch Arkansas State Red wolves play. Arkansas State has two Tuesday games in this stretch (who the hell plays football on a Tuesday?) so you can actually catch a couple of games before the next Razorback one and still not mess up your Saturday watching. Blue Canoe has a beer specifically dedicated to the Red Wolves just for this occasion.
How to get it: Growler fills at the Brewery. Fill early though, Blue Canoe is closed on Tuesdays. Because again, who the hell plays football on Tuesday?
Auburn Tigers – Apple Blossom Soulless Ginger Ale
True, Gus is not a real ginger, but he does have a slight red tint to his hair. He is certainly soulless though. Fairly certain this beer is in his memory, perfect after spending two weeks of having to watch the Red Wolves play.
Where to get it: Head north of the stadium on College in Fayetteville to 1550 E Zion Rd and get you a growler fill. It is on tap every day.
UT Martin Skyhawks – Core Brewing Easy Livin’ IPA –
Homecoming week against a cupcake team. Put it on cruise control and enjoy some easy livin’. Rolling down Dickson street, sipping on Core IPA.
Where to get it: Bottles in many liquor stores across Central and NW Arkansas, growler fills at their Springdale, Rogers, and Fort Smith pubs.
Ole Miss Rebels – Stones Throw Sausagefest Hefeweizen
No real reason here. Ole Miss is our favorite team to troll, so mostly it is just fun to associate Ole Miss with a sausage fest. Plus this Stone’s Throw brew is a mighty fine beer. Photo bomb some preppy kids in the grove with this beer.
Where to get it: Growler fills at the brewery in Little Rock, occasionally found on tap here and there across the state.
LSU Tigers – Damgoode Brews Dark Cide
Why is this game not after Thanksgiving? Who knows, but the Razorbacks enter their first night game in Baton Rouge in a long time. What better way to welcome the hogs to the dark side with this brew. It is a 50/50 blend of beer and cider which gives it a surprising refreshing finish, just like I hope this game goes.
Where to get it: Growler fills at the Little Rock Rivermarket Damgoode Pie location, just swing by and get it on your way to Baton Rouge.
Miss State Bulldogs – Core Brewing Leg Hound Lager
Maybe it is something about Mississippi, we like to troll this team too. Arkansas returns for a final hope stretch. The teak from Starkville always seems to travel surprisingly well with those damn cowbells in tow. Keep an ear out for that noise though, because they are leg humpers. This Springdale brewed beer was made in their honor.
Where to get it: Cans in many liquor stores and grocery stores across Central and NW Arkansas, growler fills at their Springdale, Rogers, and Fort Smith pubs.
Missouri Tigers – Apple Blossom Block St. Bock Party
Last game of the season, Allen throws a last second touchdown to Henry to win the game, both go out Arkansas legends. After fans carry the goal post down Dickson street following an undefeated season, expect a party on Block Street in Fayetteville. This German lager is made for that party.
Where to get it: Head north of the stadium on College in Fayetteville to 1550 E Zion Rd and get you a growler fill. It is on tap every day.
UTEP Miners – Blue Canoe Razorback Rye P A
Celebrate the start of a new season with the only local beer we could find with the name Razorback in the title. This is an extremely smooth rye based IPA from one of Little Rock’s newest brewers located at 425 East 3rd Street.
How to get it: Growler fills in store on game day.
Toledo Rockets – Diamond Bear Rocktoberfest
Diamond Bear is Little Rock’s oldest brewery so it is only fitting to drink something from there while the hogs play at the grand old lady (War Memorial Stadium) in Little Rock. This is a traditional Octoberfest style beer that has won more awards than we care to look up.
How to get it: True it is technically not October yet, but these usually start showing up in cans at stores and at the brewery for growler fills in September.
Texas Tech Red Raiders – Apple Blossom Rover Red Ale
Last year in Lubbock Arkansas rolled right over the Red Raiders. Expect much of the same thing this year when the series moves to Fayetteville. This hoppy ale from Fayetteville is perfect for gearing up the rover and running over the Raiders
Where to get it: Head north of the stadium on College in Fayetteville to 1550 E Zion Rd and get you a growler fill. It is on tap most days.
Texas A&M Aggies – Lost Forty Love Honey Bock
The rivalry series against Texas A&M heads back to Dallas. That sweet feeling you feel beating A&M in Jerry World is perfectly paired with the sweet, smooth, and refreshing Love Honey Bock.
Where to get it: Lost Forty beers are mostly distributed in Pulaski County. So stock up on some cans or fill your growler at the brewery before heading down I 30.
Tennessee Volunteers – Lost Forty Hunter Oktoberfest
Regardless of if you are making the trek west across I-40 or watching this one at home your will be seeing a lot of orange. If you make the journey to Knoxville this beer packaged in a bright orange helps you blend in, if not an excellent game is to crush a can for each touchdown we score on the Vols.
Where to get it: Head to Lost Forty Brewery for both cans of these special run brews and growler fills.
Alabama Crimson Tide – Moody Brews Sixes and Sevens
Last year this was a slow, sluggish game. This year could be more of the same with Alabama starting a new QB. Final score prediction? 6 – 7, Making Moody’s popular stout Sixes and Sevens the perfect beer for this game. Smooth, heavy, and a tendency to foam at the mouth, just like this game does every year.
Where to get it: Found in bottles in most liquor stores across Central and Northwest Arkansas
Bye Week – Blue Canoe Wolf Trail Ale
Arkansas has a week off, do yourself a favor and sit back and watch Arkansas State Red wolves play. Arkansas State has two Tuesday games in this stretch (who the hell plays football on a Tuesday?) so you can actually catch a couple of games before the next Razorback one and still not mess up your Saturday watching. Blue Canoe has a beer specifically dedicated to the Red Wolves just for this occasion.
How to get it: Growler fills at the Brewery. Fill early though, Blue Canoe is closed on Tuesdays. Because again, who the hell plays football on Tuesday?
Auburn Tigers – Apple Blossom Soulless Ginger Ale
True, Gus is not a real ginger, but he does have a slight red tint to his hair. He is certainly soulless though. Fairly certain this beer is in his memory, perfect after spending two weeks of having to watch the Red Wolves play.
Where to get it: Head north of the stadium on College in Fayetteville to 1550 E Zion Rd and get you a growler fill. It is on tap every day.
UT Martin Skyhawks – Core Brewing Easy Livin’ IPA –
Homecoming week against a cupcake team. Put it on cruise control and enjoy some easy livin’. Rolling down Dickson street, sipping on Core IPA.
Where to get it: Bottles in many liquor stores across Central and NW Arkansas, growler fills at their Springdale, Rogers, and Fort Smith pubs.
Ole Miss Rebels – Stones Throw Sausagefest Hefeweizen
No real reason here. Ole Miss is our favorite team to troll, so mostly it is just fun to associate Ole Miss with a sausage fest. Plus this Stone’s Throw brew is a mighty fine beer. Photo bomb some preppy kids in the grove with this beer.
Where to get it: Growler fills at the brewery in Little Rock, occasionally found on tap here and there across the state.
LSU Tigers – Damgoode Brews Dark Cide
Why is this game not after Thanksgiving? Who knows, but the Razorbacks enter their first night game in Baton Rouge in a long time. What better way to welcome the hogs to the dark side with this brew. It is a 50/50 blend of beer and cider which gives it a surprising refreshing finish, just like I hope this game goes.
Where to get it: Growler fills at the Little Rock Rivermarket Damgoode Pie location, just swing by and get it on your way to Baton Rouge.
Miss State Bulldogs – Core Brewing Leg Hound Lager
Maybe it is something about Mississippi, we like to troll this team too. Arkansas returns for a final hope stretch. The teak from Starkville always seems to travel surprisingly well with those damn cowbells in tow. Keep an ear out for that noise though, because they are leg humpers. This Springdale brewed beer was made in their honor.
Where to get it: Cans in many liquor stores and grocery stores across Central and NW Arkansas, growler fills at their Springdale, Rogers, and Fort Smith pubs.
Missouri Tigers – Apple Blossom Block St. Bock Party
Last game of the season, Allen throws a last second touchdown to Henry to win the game, both go out Arkansas legends. After fans carry the goal post down Dickson street following an undefeated season, expect a party on Block Street in Fayetteville. This German lager is made for that party.
Where to get it: Head north of the stadium on College in Fayetteville to 1550 E Zion Rd and get you a growler fill. It is on tap every day.