Anything good in Arkansas?

Yeah, that’s a big step/risk with the garbage ass laws in this state.

 

This is good news. I’ve been in DFW the past three years now moving to Conway.
Anyone willing to give me an update on the craft scene in Arkansas? New beers or breweries I need to try.
I’m excited about TG. That’s one of the larger crafts that doesn’t distribute to North Texas. It seems like Lost Forty continues to improve as well.

 

The scene is steadily improving. Our market has finally shaken out some of the pretenders. Our distribution remains decent with plenty of room for our distributors and retailers to improve turnover and inventory management. I doubt there is much we get that you haven’t seen in NTX. Seems like for every few new breweries we get, a couple pull out. Just the pains of a smaller, developing market.

Faulkner County is still dry, in case you didn’t know. I really hope the days of dry counties are almost gone, but the church has a crushing grip on this area. So dumb.

 

That too bad. I don't buy a ton of CS, but they have good stouts. I can't imagine Sam Adams leaving. That would be just weird.

Prepare to be disappointed. It's miles better than it was even three years ago when I moved here. But having lived in four different states, this is the worst. (Arizona wasn't great either though.). We have some good breweries that have moved in, but not compared to Texas. And the local scene is generally pretty bad. Rebel Kettle is good but doesn't can. Lost Forty is the biggest and are getting better, but not great. Keep an eye on Ozark. They keep improving.

 

Went to Hawk Moth in Rogers, very cool place. Bottom line is unless you are in Franco/Belgian Influenced beer it may not be your cup of tea. I enjoyed it. Read my review if want more details.

Same day I had Ivory Bill's Extra Extra! IPA, 8.0% ABV IPA. Easily my favorite 2 beers from those guys. I am positive I would enjoy their cask offerings, but it appears you have to be there on a Friday. I had their Dark. which I believe id their Mild. Would love to try that on cask, a little to over-carbonated for the style for my liking, but well worth a try

 

New place open in Fayetteville; Boston Mountain Brewing. It is just off of College on West Township. Might hit this this weekend, close enough

 

Travelling to Bentonville area for work in 2 weeks. Best store to pickup beer at? Do places sell on Sundays? Will be there Sun-Wed afternoon. I'll try to hit as many breweries as I can but will probably miss a few. Any recs on those would be appreciated, as well as best "to go" options. Thanks!

 

I’ll let locals make recommendations, but only breweries can sell on Sundays.

 

Ok cool, thanks for the tip! Looking up brewery hours now.

Seems like Walton Blvd Wine and Spirits in Bentonville has closed permanently? Would have been about 5 min from my hotel there (Doubletree). Any other good stores nearby?

 

Cheers in Fayetteville/Johnson is open on Sunday. Ozark is the best brewery around these parts IMHO. Hawkmoth is good for Belgian style beers. Bikerack is also decent.

 

It's becoming a pot dispensary. it will Be missed. Guess Who & Macadoodles are alright

 

The wife & I went to Boston Mountain Brewing in Fayetteville Saturday night. 8 beers on tap. The winners were the dark beers, the Coconut Port, Coffee & also the Chocolate Stout were all good to very good. The IPAs were passable to pretty good

 

Maybe consider a short trip into Missouri to widen distribution options.

 

Cool, thanks for all the recs! I'll probably hit Bike Rack on Sunday night and check out Guess Who? on Monday for some hotel beers since it's right across the street. Will try to hit Ozark Brewing on Mon or Tues night as well.

 

There’s a killer taco spot next to one of the Bike Rack locations. It’s called Yayo’s, and I think it’s the 8th Street location.

 

The Cajun food truck that was at Ozark on my last visit was good

 

If you decide to hit the Macadoodles in Missouri ( state line ), they are very open on Sundays. I would tell you to go throught their hoppy stuff with a fine tooth comb, they will keep stuff on the shelves that should've been pulled or firesaled 3 months prior

 

Might find some fresh Rhinestone Life NEIPA around Little Rock and NWA. We sent some up late last week.

 

Man, thank you. Been a minute.

 

Git back from vacation last week & I noticed Toppling Goliath seems to be MIA in NWA. What are you guys seeing elsewhere?

 

We are a flex market, so the drops will be very sporadic. I heard from their distributor they are working on getting fresh product on shelves soon. I would assume that means NWA as well.

 

Tasty!

 

Ivorybill is doing Sunday to go sales.

 

Had the new Pils from Ozark brewed for Roots Festival this last weekend. Delicious. Also digging their Prarie Collab. Wish I could get to NWA more often.

 

Ozark is consistently putting out great stuff. I’ll gladly go collect it and send it to Shreveport for some of those exciting GR releases!

 

Canning Grace and Grit now. Tapping at Flying Saucer and Vinos tonight 9/13! Growler USA Tuesday 9/17 and plenty of cans in the market next week. Sorry for the delay!

 

Picked up 2 four packs of G&G today! Can’t wait to try this batch. The latest Rhinestone Life is amazing!

 

Grabbed two four-packs yesterday. Enjoying my second right now. Glad this made it back to Arkansas.

 

Went to Ivory Bill Brewing Saturday. The two vintage of Bourbon Barrel aged Darker were choice.

 

Glad to have my original profile back from lockup.

I was shocked to hear Lost Forty only canned a few dozen cases of Nighty Night this year. I was not so shocked to hear it only spends a few weeks in barrels anyway.

 

We had a great time pouring at Lost Forty. I thought Nighty Night was delicious. Seems odd they would only can a few dozen. I should've snagged some....

 

Apparently there are quite a few kegs going into distro, so maybe I can track down a pour or two.

Sidebar: Any plans for some DDH Commotion coming our way?

 

@AndrewNations Really enjoyed the OMJ variant ya’ll brought!

Usually L40 has a limited amount for the release party. then a larger release later in the year.

 

Also, I would be more than happy to work out a trade!

 

Rogers getting a new brewery; Natural State Brewing, based on what I read they will be heavy on German Style Lagers, Bring on the Dopplebocks! Opening date is Nov 23 according to their Facebook page.

 

Bums me out that I only get up that way every couple years. Then again, I rarely even hit the LR breweries that much anymore.

Dad life got me hemmed up!

 

Once they get older, you will probably traveling just for their school & extra circular stuff, just work in that side trip!

 

I know we live in a beer wasteland but wanted to paste a pic of my latest haul from Colonial Liquor (ie my happy place). I didn’t know Surly had made it to Arkansas but glad that it has. Is the Surly distro going to be similar to TG distro?

 

Ouch. Guess I can’t figure out how to paste a pic.

Anyway bought some CBS, BA Sumatra, Born yesterday, Todd the Axe Man, SN CELEBRATION and TG Pompeii

 

I saw it Friday, but believe it's a guest beer Situation, so stock up, maybe sell a kid or a kidney! I kid. TG is here to stay if I can believe my beer store, but we did go dry for a while. Check them freshness dates