Press Release: Stone’s Throw Brewing Celebrates 5 years

Arkansas Rice Presents Annual Block on Rock Benefit for Preserve Arkansas

Little Rock, AR, July 18, 2018 – Downtown Little Rock’s Stone’s Throw Brewing announced plans for their fifth annual Block on Rock Birthday Bash today. The street festival is a celebration of the brewery’s opening in 2013 and involves local food trucks, breweries, entertainment, and community groups. Block on Rock is on Saturday, July 28 from 4:00-10:00pm on the two blocks of Rock St. north of the brewery’s location at 402 E 9th St in Little Rock.

“We love the way this little street festival has grown over the past five years! It’s by far the biggest event we do at Stone’s Throw, and this year we were able to really take Block on Rock to the next level with the help of sponsors like Arkansas Rice, Fassler Hall, and Dust Bowl Lanes & Lounge. The outpouring of community support we get each year has meant a great deal to us.” ~ Ian Beard, Managing Partner Stone’s Throw Brewing

Admission to the block party is $5. Discounted armbands are available at the Stone’s Throw taproom for $3 from July 24-27. A portion of all revenue benefits Preserve Arkansas, the only statewide non-profit organization focused on preserving Arkansas’s architectural and cultural resources. The 2017 Block on Rock raised approximately $4,500 for the group.

“Preserve Arkansas is extremely grateful for the generosity of Stone's Throw Brewing. Their Block on Rock Birthday Bash benefits our organization, providing necessary funding for Preserve Arkansas's statewide historic preservation advocacy efforts and educational programs. Happy 5th Birthday, Stone's Throw!” ~ Rachel Patton, Preserve Arkansas Executive Director

1200 people attended the first Block on Rock in 2014 taking planners completely by surprise. Since then organizers have more than tripled the festival area to include two blocks of Rock Street and the Pike-Fletcher-Terry Mansion Lawn.  The expansion allows more space for vendors such as food trucks, and a larger stage for musical acts.  Nearly 100 people staff the festival, ensuring easy entry at the gates and short waits for refreshments.  In addition, this year’s event features Arkansas Rice as the presenting sponsor.  Their assistance provides more promotional opportunities and a higher level of experience for festival goers. This year attendance is predicted to break 2,000.  

“Consumers are increasingly interested in the entire farm to table process including from grain to glass, and our partnership with Stone’s Throw is an excellent opportunity to tell that story. Arkansas is the top rice producing state and this local collaboration is a natural fit for us.” ~ Lauren Waldrip Ward, Executive Director Arkansas Rice Federation

Both the 700 and 800 blocks of Rock St., located adjacent to the brewery, will be closed off for the event. 3 entrance gates will provide access: the JohnTheBeerSnob.com Gate at 7th St, the North Bar Gate at 8th St, and the Eagle Bank Mortgage Gate at 9th St.  Entertainment is sponsored by Fassler Hall and Dust Bowl Lanes & Lounge, with the mainstage located just a few yards northwest of the brewery on Rock St. The Big Dam Horns will perform two sets at 5:00 and 8:30pm, and The Creek Rocks play at 7:00pm; Arkansas Circus Arts will also feature a special “after dark” performance at 8:30pm.  Fassler Hall will also host the official Block on Rock After Party after the event ends at 10:00pm.  Trees and buildings provide ample afternoon shade in the festival area, and attendees are encouraged to bring chairs.

“Having Fassler Hall and The Dust Bowl as partners this year really lets us step up our entertainment game.  A larger, covered stage provides a better experience for the bands and a bigger sound for the fans. The Big Dam Horns have enjoyed playing Block on Rock the past couple of years and it’s great we can play again in 2018; we’re looking forward to what Arkansas Circus Arts has to offer during the after dark set. We’ll keep it funky for a good ole fashion street dance all night long!” ~ Theron Cash, Managing Partner Stone’s Throw Brewing & Bassist Big Dam Horns

This year continues the partnership with the Arkansas Arts Center with the Terry House Lawn & Marketplace. The grounds of the mansion will be part of the festival area creating a giant biergarten for people to enjoy and a community marketplace featuring local artists, businesses, and community groups will be set up on the lawn as well.  Directly across the street from the house, First Lutheran Church will be offering tours of their historic building from 4:00-7:00pm.

“The Arkansas Arts Center is happy to celebrate Stone’s Throw’s birthday at the 5th Annual Block on Rock. Our Terry House lawn will be open for everyone to enjoy throughout the day and relax in the shade. While there, we hope people learn more about the Arts Center and even peruse the pop-up Museum Shop! The Arkansas Arts Center is dedicated to the community and its partners like Stone’s Throw.” ~ Spencer Jansen, Manager of Member Experience Arkansas Arts Center

New in 2018 is the Block on Rock Collaboration Beer Fest. Stone’s Throw head brewer Theron Cash worked with Flyway Brewing, Rebel Kettle Brewing, Damgoode Brews, The Water Buffalo & Buffalo Brewing, and Diamond Bear Brewing to create five unique offering for the festival.  The annual Ales for ALS collaborative beer will also be premiered along with the official beer of Block on Rock, named “Golden Grain,” featuring Arkansas grown rice. 

“I got to brew my first commercially available beer with Ca$h Money [Theron Cash], so it is cool to be able to collaborate and participate in Block on Rock with Stone's Throw.” ~ Josh Davis, Brewer Rebel Kettle Brewing Co.

Stone’s Throw Brewing is the product of four guys—Theron Cash, Brad McLaurin, Shawn Tobin and Ian Beard—who met in the local homebrew club, the Central Arkansas Fermenters. After doing most of the work themselves to turn a century old building in Little Rock’s MacArthur Park Historic District into a production facility, they began brewing operations on July 4, 2013 and opened an onsite taproom on August 1, 2013. Stone’s Throw Brewing specializes in small-batch, artisanal beers that are both creative and drinkable.

The Stone’s Throw Brewing taproom & biergarten is open to the public Tuesday-Thursday, 4:00-9:00pm, Friday 4:00-10:00pm, Saturday 12:00-10:00pm, and Sunday 11:00am-9:00pm. Pub style dining is available during normal hours of operation.  The brewery sponsors weekly events including #HOPSandHOPE every Tuesday with beer sales benefiting charity, all night happy hour on Wednesdays, #ArkiePubTrivia at 6:30pm on Thursdays, new beer releases every Friday, free brewery tours at 1:00pm Saturday, Beer Brunch Sundays from 11:00am-4:00pm, and beer to go during regular business hours including Sundays. Current beer selection, food menu, and upcoming events can be found at www.stonesthrowbeer.com, on Facebook at StonesThrowBrewing, Twitter @stonesthrowbrew, and Instagram @stonesthrowbrewing.

The following is the list at press time of vendors registered to participate in the Block on Rock 5th Birthday Bash on July 28th.

Stone’s Throw Brewing Festival Beer Line-Up

Golden Grain Block on Rock Ale (Premiere)
Pine[Apple]² Cider (Premiere)
Amadeus Vienna Lager
Common Sense California Common
Shamus Stout
Ich Bin Ein Berliner Weisse
Two-Timin' American IPA
Dry Spell Champagne-Style Apple Cider
Pit Boss Peach Hefe
George Bros. Historic Arkansas Ale
Caddo Kolsch
Decimal Hoppy Wheat

Collaborative Beer Fest

Buffalo Brewing Co:  Shake What Ya Mama Gave Ya IPA (Premiere)
Damgoode Brews:  Super Def Ale to Sip with Fine Women Lemon-Lime Saison (Premiere)
Flyway Brewing:  Boys to the Yard Mango Milkshake IPA (Premiere)
Rebel Kettle Brewing:  Really Good Ribbon (Premiere)
Stone's Throw Brewing: Ales for ALS Sweet & Sour Wheat (Premiere)

Arkansas Arts Center Terry House Marketplace & Lawn

Adrian Quintanar Ceramics
Arkansas Arts Center Museum Shop
CARE for Animals (Dog Cooling Station)
First Lutheran Church (Tours)
Out of the Woods
Preserve Arkansas
St. Edward's Catholic Church
WestEnd Cigars

Food Truck Row

Adobo To Go
AphroSense
Black Hound Bar B Q
Hot Rod Wieners
Loblolly Creamery
Luncheria Mexicana Alicia
Pappy Jack's Street Pies
Reggae Flavas
Slader's Alaskan Dumpling Co.
Viva Vegan

Stone’s Throw Brewing Block on Rock Returns

4th Annual Birthday Celebration on July 29 Benefits Historic Preservation

Little Rock, AR, July 17, 2017– MacArthur Park neighborhood nano-brewery Stone’s Throw Brewing announced plans for their fourth annual Block on Rock Birthday Bash today. The street festival is a celebration of the brewery’s opening in 2013 and involves local food trucks, breweries, a distillery, bands, and community groups. Block on Rock is on Saturday, July 29 from 4:00-10:00pm on the two blocks of Rock St. north of the brewery’s location at 402 E 9^th St in Little Rock. 

"We love the way this little street festival has grown over the past four years! It’s by far the biggest event we do at the brewery, and we are able to improve and grow the block party each time. The support we get from the community on this is extremely humbling.”

Ian Beard, Managing Partner Stone’s Throw Brewing

Admission to the block party is $5. Discounted armbands are available at the Stone’s Throw taproom for $3 from July 25-28. A portion of all gate revenue, alcohol, and food sales are donated to Preserve Arkansas, the only statewide non-profit organization focused on preserving Arkansas’s architectural and cultural resources. The previous three Block on Rock events have raised over $7800 for the group.

“Preserve Arkansas is thrilled to help celebrate the fourth birthday of Stone’s Throw Brewing on July 29! Not only is this a fun way to spend a Saturday, a portion of the proceeds from the Block on Rock Birthday Bash will benefit Preserve Arkansas’s education and advocacy efforts, which are designed to preserve Arkansas’s most important historic properties. Come celebrate Stone’s Throw Brewing’s adaptive reuse of a historic building in the MacArthur Park Historic District and support the statewide historic preservation efforts of Preserve Arkansas! ”

Rachel Silva, Executive Director Preserve Arkansas

1200 people attended the first Block on Rock in 2014 taking planners completely by surprise. Since then organizers have added a second block to accommodate more people, food trucks, and vendors. A stage was constructed for the musical acts, more volunteers helped with entry at the gates, other local breweries were invited, and more necessities like extra restrooms were included. The improvements lead to significantly shorter waits for food, drinks, and toilets despite attendance increasing to over 2000 in the following years.

“The first year was crazy. We sold more food in a couple of hours at Block on Rock than we did the whole time we were at Riverfest. This year I think we’re all planning on serving big numbers and we’ll be ready for them. After the Main Street Food Truck Festival this is one of the biggest gatherings of trucks you’ll find in Little Rock.”

Justin Patterson, Owner The Southern Gourmasian

Both the 700 and 800 blocks of Rock St., located adjacent to the brewery, will be closed off for the event. Entrance gates will be located along Rock Street at the intersections of 7^th, 8^th and 9^th Streets.  The mainstage is located just a few yards northwest of the brewery on Rock St. The Big Dam Horns return again this year and will perform a double set starting at 6pm; trees and buildings provide ample shade in the afternoon, and festival goers are encouraged to bring chairs. Beer is available at the brewery itself and at an outdoor Stone’s Throw bar on the 700 block of Rock St.; food trucks and other beverage options will be available in the same area.

“The Big Dam Horns have enjoyed playing Block on Rock the past couple of years and it’s great we can play again in 2017. We’ll keep it funky for a good ole fashion street dance all night long!”

Theron Cash, Managing Partner Stone’s Throw Brewing & Bassist Big Dam Horns

New this year is a partnership with the Arkansas Arts Center involving the Pike-Terry-Fletcher House. The grounds of the mansion will be part of the festival area creating a giant biergarten for people to enjoy. Rackensack Folklore Society of Pulaski County will play on the front porch with a rotating line-up of performers from 4:00-10:00pm. The Arkansas Arts Center will also be presenting demonstrations for festival goers to enjoy.

“The Arkansas Arts Center is excited to be part of Block on Rock and to showcase the talent of some great local artists. Robert Bean is doing a drawing demo, Beth Lambert and Julia Baugh are working on a pinch pot project, Randie Young has a chalk art project for adults and youth, and renowned hula hooper Katie Sunshine performs!”

Spencer Jansen, Manager of Member Experience Arkansas Arts Center

25% of alcohol sales and 10% of other sales will benefit Preserve Arkansas, the only statewide non-profit organization focused on preserving Arkansas’s architectural and cultural resources.

The following is the list at press time of vendors registered to participate in the Block on Rock 4^th Birthday Bash on July 29. Up to date event details are available at https://www.facebook.com/events/954580774650649/

Drink:
A Lively Brew Kombucha

Buffalo Brewing Co.
Damgoode Brews

Flyway Brewing

Rebel Kettle Brewing

Rock Town Distillery
Stone's Throw Brewing

Groups & Causes:

Arkansas Arts Center

CARE for Animals (Dog Cooling Station)
First Lutheran (Tours)

Preserve Arkansas
Little Rocktoberfest

St. Edward's Catholic

Food & Merchandise:
ArkieStyle

Black Hound Bar B Q

Desiacs Sandwiches

Hot Rod Wieners

Katmandu Momo

Loblolly Creamery

Luncheria Mexicana Alicia

Reggae Flavas

Slader's Alaakan Dumpling Co.

The Southern Gourmasian

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The Big Dam Horns (pictured here from the 2015 Block on Rock) return this year and will play a double set beginning at 6:00pm on July 29.

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The Block on Rock 4th Birthday Bash is Saturday, July 29 from 4:00-10:00pm on the 700-800 blocks of Rock St. in downtown Little Rock. 1200 people came to the first in 2014, and  attendance has grown to over 2000 since. Photo Courtesy Lisa Burnett.

Stone’s Throw Brewing to Hold Block Party Aug 1st

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 21, 2015

Annual “Block on Rock” Celebrates 2nd Anniversary, Helps Charities

Little Rock, AR, July 21, 2015– Local neighborhood nano-brewery Stone’s Throw announced details for their second annual Block on Rock Birthday Bash today. On Saturday, August 1 from 3:00-10:00pm the 2013 opening of the brewery taproom will be celebrated with a street festival involving local food trucks, breweries, bands, artisanal vendors, and community groups. The event supports Preserve Arkansas, but this year will also benefit dozens of other local causes.

“Last year’s Block on Rock was a huge success, and we love giving back to the community.  Usually a festival as big is this would charge all the vendors to set up, but we wanted to take a different approach. So instead of vendor fees we’re asking everyone who is participating to give back to the cause of their choice."  ~ Ian Beard, Co-owner Stone’s Throw Brewing

Admission to the block party will be $5. Discounted armbands can be purchased ahead of time at the Stone’s Throw taproom for $3. A quarter of gate revenue and Stone’s Throw sales will be donated to Preserve Arkansas. At the first Block on Rock in 2014, $3000 was raised for the group.

“Preserve Arkansas works to build stronger communities by reconnecting Arkansans to our heritage and empowering people to save and rehabilitate historic places. Stone’s Throw has supported this mission both through their help with Preserve Arkansas’ projects and the work they’ve done on their own historic building. We are excited to be partnering with them for a second year on the Block on Rock Birthday Bash! ” ~ Vanessa Norton McKuin, Executive Director Preserve Arkansas

The first Block on Rock in 2014 was attended by over 1200 people, a number much higher than expected. In response to the event’s popularity, organizers have added a second block to accommodate more people, food trucks, and vendors. A stage has been added for the musical acts, a variety of local beer and cocktail choices will be available, and more necessities like porta-potties have been planned.

“Last year was crazy. We sold more food in a couple of hours at Block on Rock than we did the whole time we were at Riverfest. This year there will be more trucks, and I think we’re all planning on serving big numbers. After the Main Street Food Truck Festival this is probably the most trucks you’re going to find in one place.” ~ Justin Patterson, Owner The Southern Gourmasian

This year both the 800 block of Rock Street, located immediately west of the brewery, and the 300 block of E 8th Street will be closed off for the event. Entrance gates will be located at 9th and Rock Streets and 8th and Scott Streets, and participants are encouraged to bring chairs. The stage will be located on Rock Street, which is shaded in the afternoon; Cindy Woolf and Mark Bilyeu will perform at 4:00pm followed by the Big Dam Horns at 7:00pm. Fifteen different food trucks will set up along 8th Street while six local beer & cocktail vendors will be in the parking lot behind the brewery. The brewery taproom will be open for festival goers as well.

“The response last year completely took us by surprise, so we’ve been working on improving things for the second Block on Rock ever since. We’ve been stock piling beer at the brewery for months in preparation. Along with all the great food and beers, we’ve got a stage this year with two local favorites: The Big Dam Horns, and Cindy Woolf & Mark Bilyeu. We can’t wait!”  ~ Theron Cash, Co-Owner Stone’s Throw Brewing

Stone’s Throw Brewing is the product of four guys—Theron Cash, Brad McLaurin, Shawn Tobin and Ian Beard—who met in the local home brew club, the Central Arkansas Fermenters. After doing most of the work themselves to turn a century old building in Little Rock’s MacArthur Park Historic District into a production facility, they began brewing operations on July 4, 2013 and opened a taproom on August 1, 2013. Stone’s Throw Brewing specializes in small-batch, artisanal beers that are both creative and drinkable.

The Stone’s Throw Brewing tap room is open to the public Wednesday-Thursday, 4:00-9:00 pm, Friday 4:00-10:00pm, Saturday 12:00-10:00 pm, and Sunday 11:00 am-8:00 pm. The tap room features different food trucks each day and offers all night happy hour on Wednesdays, #ArkiePubTrivia at 6:30pm on Thursdays, new beer releases every first Friday of the month, free brewery tours at 1:00pm and beer infusions at 4:00pm on Saturdays, and beer to go on Sundays. Current beer selection, food truck schedules, and upcoming events can be found at www.stonesthrowbeer.com, on Facebook at StonesThrowBrewing, Twitter @stonesthrowbrew and Instagram @stonesthrowbrewing.

The following is a complete list of festival vendors and the causes they have chosen to support.

Food:
Black Hound BBQ, Jacksonville Boys and Girls Club
The Clean Eatery, Out of the Woods Animal Rescue
Solfood Catering Emporium, Southern Center for Agroecology
BEAST Food Truck, Diverse Youth for Social Change
Jackie's Mobile Cafe, Humane Society Of Pulaski County
Luncheria Mexicana Alicia, TBD
Waffle Wagon, Kanis Skatepark
Southern Gourmasian, Arkansas Rice Depot Food for Kids Program
Fork n the Road, Diverse Youth for Social Change
Katmandu MoMo, Nepal earthquake relief
Pie Hole, The Van
Hot Rod Wieners, Group Living, Inc
BBQ for Change, Arkansas Food Bank Network and Rice Depot
Loblolly Creamery, Lucie's Place
Slader's Alaskan Dumpling Co., Mission Machine

Drink:
Stone's Throw Brewing, Preserve Arkansas
Rock Town Distillery, Preserve Arkansas
Ozark Beer Company, Arkansas Brewers Guild
Bubba Brew's Brewing Company, Arkansas Brewers Guild
Diamond Bear Brewing Co., Arkansas Brewers Guild
Lost 40 Brewing, Arkansas Brewers Guild

Goods:
Homayd Natural Care Products, Heifer International
J. M. Stevens Knives, Wounded Warrior Project
ArkieStyle, Out of the Woods Animal Rescue

Groups & Causes:
Preserve Arkansas
Legends of Arkansas
Rock City Rescue
First Lutheran
St. Edward's Catholic
Local. Magazine
Bacon Fest
Little Rocktoberfest
First Presbyterian

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If you would like more information about this topic, please contact Ian Beard at 501-908-1816 or email at ian@stonesthrowbeer.com.