June 30, 2015

Brewers Read Mean Reviews: The Video

Kansas City's outstanding beer bar Bier Station posted this funny video and I deemed it definitely worth a share. Cheers!

Bier Station: In case you missed it, or what to re-live all the snark and laughs, we present, "Brewers Read Mean Reviews: The Video". Big thanks to all our good-sport brewers, and Chris Luckey for his fantastic shooting and editing skills. Warning: If there are kids nearby... "Earmuffs!".


In case you missed it, or what to re-live all the snark and laughs, we present, "Brewers Read Mean Reviews: The Video". Big thanks to all our good-sport brewers, and Chris Luckey for his fantastic shooting and editing skills. Warning: If there are kids nearby... "Earmuffs!".Boulevard Brewing Company, Torn Label Brewing Company Martin City Brewing Company The Free State Brewing Co. Cinder Block Brewery Kansas City Bier Company.
Posted by Bier Station on Tuesday, June 30, 2015

Stone’s Throw Brewing Celebrates Second Anniversary

Press Release: 
Little Rock, AR, June 25, 2015 – Local neighborhood nano-brewery Stone’s Throw announced plans to celebrate their second anniversary today. Their first brew day will be commemorated on Saturday, July 4 with the release of rare beers made over the past year. On Saturday, August 1 the opening of the brewery taproom will be celebrated with the second annual Block on Rock Birthday Bash.
“We brewed our first batch of beer on July 4, 2013 because it was the first day that Shawn, Theron, Ian & I all had off from our day jobs together after we got our brewing permit. I can’t believe it’s already been 2 years!”
Brad McLaurin, co-owner
The July 4 “Brewversary” will see the release of Anniversary Stout, which replicates the first beer brewed at Stone’s Throw location in downtown Little Rock. Shamus Stout was the intended beer that day, but the more efficient equipment resulted in a much stronger beer than the version originally brewed at home. With a few adjustments the Shamus recipe was tamed and became one of the breweries best sellers, but the version produced from that first batch has maintained a following since. Now the brewery releases the stronger Anniversary Stout for Independence Day every year.
“There is a learning curve when you go from 10 gallon to 100 gallon batches, and the new equipment worked a whole lot better than we expected. Even if that first beer didn’t come out as planned, it was still really good so we wanted to try and make it again sometime.”
Shawn Tobin, Co-Owner
While only the release of Anniversary Stout commemorated the Brewversary in 2014, for the second year Stone’s Throw has added a special attraction for customers. Beers produced throughout the past year have been carefully selected to age, known as cellaring. An extremely limited supply of Big Dam Horn O’Plenty Imperial Oktoberfest, Lil Peaty’s Wee Heavy Scotch Ale, and Chipotle Porter aged in a Rock Town Distillery Bourbon barrel will be available starting at noon on July 4 until supplies run out.
“Bigger beers like Big Dam Horn O’Plenty just get better and better with age, and this keg has been cellaring since last fall. I’m really looking forward to giving it a try.”
Theron Cash, Co-Owner
The Block on Rock Birthday Bash will be held August 1 from 3:00-10:00pm to commemorate the opening of the onsite taproom to the public on August 1, 2013. Approximately 1200 people—four times as many as expected—attended the first Block on Rock in 2014. This year additional street space is being added to accommodate the crowds, even more food trucks will set up, and other breweries & distilleries from around Arkansas will be featured. Admission and Stone’s Throw sales will benefit Preserve Arkansas, while proceeds from guest breweries will help support the Arkansas Brewers Guild. The event will continue to be held annually on the first Saturday in August.
“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. Along with all the great beers, food trucks & vendors, we’re also going to have live music from 2 local favorites: The Big Dam Horns, and Cindy Woolf & Mark Bilyeu. We can’t wait!”  
Ian Beard, Co-Owner
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 turning a dusty building in Little Rock’s MacArthur Park Historic District into a production facility, they began brewing operations on July 4, 2013 and opened a tap room 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.

May 24, 2015

Arkansas Breweries on Untappd Updated

I know, it's been awhile... but pull up a seat and pop open a local brew, folks, it's time to check out some Untappd numbers for Arkansas breweries all here in one handy location! And please, no wagering.

Newbies! I add Damgoode Brews and Foster's Pints & Plates to the watchlist this month. More soon!

Brewery - Total Checkins (monthly total)

Diamond Bear - 15,069 (489)
Core Brewery - 13,077 (817)
Fossil Cove - 5,970 (252)
Ozark Brew Co. - 5,616 (1,151)
Saddlebock - 5,570 (231)
Apple Blossom - 4,706 (838)
Lost Forty Brewing - 3,144 (1,050)
Stone's Throw Brewing - 2,979 (209)
Vinos Brew Pub - 1,948 (66)
West Mountain - 1,581 (48)
Moody Brews - 1,124 (196)
Bike Rack Brewing - 848 (302)
Blue Canoe Brewing Co - 781 (304)
Superior Bathhouse - 481 (299)
Damgoode Brews - 124 (124)
Flyway Brewing - 82 (-)
Gravity Brew Works - 64 (6)
Foster's Pint & Plate - 52 (52)

Top 5 Monthly Check-Ins

5. Diamond Bear (489)
4. Core Brewing (817)
3. Apple Blossom (838)
2. Lost Forty (1,050)
1. Ozark Beer Co (1,151)

Thoughts... so Ozark and Lost Forty are battling it out in the monthly sales category and flying up the overall charts.

Three of the top five monthly leaders are in northwest Arkansas, two in central.

Next to open taproom/breweries in the state will probably be Flyway Brewing and Rebel Kettle, hopefully by the end of summer.

May 21, 2015

May 15, 2015

Bloodeagle Brewing Company Kickstarter Video

Here's the soon-to-be-live Kickstarter video for Arkansas' Bloodeagle Brewing Company for your enjoyment. I'll let you know when the Kickstarter is up and running. You can follow them on their Facebook page as well.

May 10, 2015

Summit founder Mark Stutrud on The Beer Show

Good video featuring the founder of one of my favorite breweries available in Arkansas, Summit Brewing Company. 

"Recently, our friends at Elevated Beer Wine & Spirits invited Summit founder Mark Stutrud to be a guest on The Beer Show on 1500 ESPN Twin Cities radio. Mark discusses the early days of craft brewing (or microbrewing) in the Upper Midwest, the joys and challenges of craft brewers in 2015, and about new beers like Hop Silo Double IPA and Hopvale Organic Ale."

April 30, 2015

Press Release: Victory Brewing Company Announces Arkansas Debut!

Below is a press release announcing Victory Brewing Company's expanded distribution to Arkansas. The Downingtown, PA-based craft brewer is now available in 36 states. 

VICTORY BREWING COMPANY ANTICIPATES ITS ARKANSAS DEBUT
PA-Based Brewery Widens Distribution Footprint to Include Arkansas

DOWNINGTOWN, PA, April 30, 2015 –Victory Brewing Company® (Victory) is excited to bring their craft to the beer drinking fans of Arkansas next month. The footprint expansion west marks the 36th state Victory can be found and by mid-June, Arkansas residents will be able to purchase Victory at craft beer bars, restaurants, liquor stores and major gourmet grocery stores throughout the state.
Victory’s flavorful brews will enter the market under distribution by Arkansas Craft Distributors.  

Fans can expect to see Victory debut at Foam Fest on May 9th, and Summer Love Ale available on draft beginning May 11th.  By mid June, Victory’s famed DirtWolf, Prima Pils, Golden Monkey and HopDevil will be available for purchase at retail outlets throughout the state.  Distribution of Victory’s other core brands and seasonal selections will follow shortly after the initial launch.

“We’ve had many requests to bring our beer to the Arkansas and are extremely excited we can finally oblige by offering our full-flavored beer to these fans and introducing Victory to a new audience of craft beer lovers,” said Vice President of Sales & Marketing, Steve German.

Victory’s first celebration of the art of craft beer will take place May 9th from 6:00pm to 9:00pm at the Fayetteville Foam Fest in Fayettville.  The event will showcase more than 80 breweries pouring different craft beers while showcasing local bands and food trucks.

About Victory Brewing Company

Victory Brewing Company is a craft brewery headquartered in Downingtown, Pennsylvania. Founded by childhood friends, Bill Covaleski and Ron Barchet, Victory officially opened its doors in February of 1996. In addition to the original Downingtown brewery and brewpub, Victory recently opened a second state-of-the-art brewery in Parkesburg, PA to expand production capabilities and serve fans of fully flavored beers in 36 states with innovative beers melding European ingredients and technology with American creativity. 

To learn more about Victory Brewing Company visit us on the web at www.victorybeer.com.

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April 20, 2015

Here Comes Stone Ruination Double IPA 2.0

Man I have a long-time love affair with Stone Ruination going so I'm sad it's being "retired" of course, but I can't wait to get my palate on this new version. Hopefully bigger and better even. In the meantime this video makes my mouth water even more. Soon...
Stone's YouTube Channel: Stone Ruination IPA was the first full-time brewed and bottled West Coast double IPA on the planet. As craft beer has evolved over the years, so too have techniques for maximizing hop flavors and aromas. For the second incarnation of our groundbreaking India pale ale, we employed dry hopping and hop bursting to squeeze every last drop of piney, citrusy, tropical essence from the hops that give this beer its incredible character. We’ve also updated the name to reflect the imperial-level intensity that’s evident in every sip. Join us in cheering this, the second stanza in our “Liquid Poem to the Glory of the Hop.”

Music Courtesy: Totimoshi, via Volcom Entertainment Group

April 12, 2015

#AskDogfish: New breweries, rap, cans and ... pants?

I love these videos from Dogfish Head founder Sam Calagione, one of the rock starts of the craft beer world. I have their old Brew Masters TV show on DVD and break it out once in a while still, usually after watching one of these clips. Actually visiting this treehouse and brewery is on my beer bucket list.
As a bonus treat I have included the video from the legendary PAIN RELIEVAZ for "Pinchin' Pennies" below. You're welcome.

Published on Apr 10, 2015
Hop up into the Steampunk Treehouse for some truth-talking with Dogfish Founder and President Sam Calagione.

Music: "the askew is wholesome" by Lezet (http://lezet.blogspot.com/)

Get more Dogfish Head:
http://www.dogfish.com
https://www.facebook.com/dogfishheadbeer
http://twitter.com/dogfishbeer