Rumbles: Brood and Barley Team Announced, The Rail Yard Food Truck Party

The much-anticipated Brood and Barley by Flyway Brewing in North Little Rock has announced its new leadership team, including some familiar faces to the Central Arkansas food scene. The headliner is that David Burnette, formerly of South on Main, Ciao Baci and Table 28, is joining the team as bar lead and front-of-house manager. Burnette is a highly respected figure in the Central Arkansas food scene, and his hiring is sure to generate some excitement. Also leading the team is newly promoted beer manager Odell Thomas, who has worked at Flyway for years and has plenty of experience in brewing and beer sales. And new to Arkansas is Brayan McFadden, a member of owner Jess McMullen’s extended family who is coming to lead the kitchen and serve as general manager. Brood and Barley is Flyway’s new gastropub concept that is going into the space formerly occupied by Core Brewing and Starving Artist Café before that. We don’t yet have an opening date; however, Brood and Barley is accepting applications and resumes for all front- and back-of-house positions. That usually indicates that opening day is fast approaching. We’ll let you know as soon as we get a date for the opening and we’ll have a First Look as soon as the restaurant is ready.
Warmer days mean more business for Central Arkansas food trucks, and The Rail Yard is putting together a day-long party to celebrate. This Saturday, The Rail Yard is holding The Rite of Spring Food Truck Party. From 11 a.m. until 10 p.m., the party will feature seven food trucks, local beer from Lost Forty, and live music all day long. Some of the city’s best trucks will be there, including Delta Biscuit Company, Low Ivy Catering, Count Porkula, El Sur Street Food and more. Admission is $5 at the door. This is a family-friendly event, so bring the kids and the dogs out for the fun.
A special happy birthday to two of our favorite businesses in Central Arkansas. First, to At the Corner in downtown Little Rock, which is celebrating its fifth birthday this week. All week long, the diner is celebrating, including Birthday Cake Pancakes on special and a raffle to win a private dinner for five. On Friday, At the Corner is staying open late for Birthday Night Brunch from 5:30 to 8:30, and the celebration continues during brunch on Saturday and Sunday. And we also want to say happy birthday to Proof Bar + Lounge in Hillcrest, which is celebrating its second full year of business. On Sunday, Proof will be offering up beer specials and a Rock Town Distillery barrel-aged old fashioned for $5. There’s also a Founders Brewing grill giveaway at 8 p.m.; you have to be present to win.
Black Apple Hard Cider in Springdale has won a huge honor for one of its ciders. The cidery took Double Gold at the New York International Cider Competition for its Blueberry Cider. Out of more than 200 ciders entered into the contest, only four received Double Gold recognition. Black Apple also won Gold for its Hibiscus Cider and Bronze for its Semi-sweet Cider, and was recognized as Arkansas’ Cider Producer of the Year. Blueberry Cider is a seasonal release that is available right now and will last until mid-spring. It will be one of the cans that Black Apple releases statewide starting next month. Congratulations to the Black Apple Hard Cider team for an impressive win.
Looking for a delicious casual dinner? Why not try Stone’s Throw? We stopped by to check out the brewery’s new food offerings and found an unexpected gem of a menu.
And there’s little question that Lost Forty Brewing is setting the standard when it comes to beer in Arkansas right now. We sat down with owner and brewery manager John Beachboard for his insight on beer and beyond.