Arkansas Rice Presents Annual Block on Rock Benefit for Preserve ArkansasLittle 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-UpGolden 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 FestBuffalo 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 RowAdobo 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
