Growlers: Brut is Back at Rebel Kettle, Core Terminator Doppelbock, Lost Forty Big Shirley

Rebel Kettle Brewing Company this week is revisiting a style nobody else in Central Arkansas has tried yet, and they’re bringing along some company as well. For its 4:30 Thursday event, Rebel Kettle is debuting Vines and Bines Brut Double IPA. Earlier this year, the brewery was the first in the market to put out a Brut IPA, which is an IPA brewed to be very dry and effervescent. For Vines and Bines, Rebel Kettle partnered with Chateau Aux Arc Winery in Altus, using Cynthiana grape must in the brew. Hallertau Blanc and Pacific Gem hops give this double IPA its flavor. Head brewer John Lee says this one is dry but very drinkable, like a good champagne. You’ll have to wait until Thursday to check it out. Then on Sunday, Rebel Kettle is putting on its first beer-pairing dinner, with Cajun-inspired dishes from the kitchen being matched with five brews from the tap wall. Tickets to the dinner are $60 per person, or $100 for a pair. Only 50 seats are available, so act quickly if you want a spot.
Kudos to Core Brewing Company on a prolific 2018. While Core typically puts out several dozen brews, most of those are only served in their public house taprooms. This year, Core began greatly expanding the number of canned beers it offers, and it has a new one coming out this week. Terminator is a doppelbock with some big malty notes and a moderate 7.5 percent ABV level. Core says the beer has subtle hop notes and even a little smokiness. Terminator is available right now at all public house locations, including Argenta and SoMa. It will also be distributed statewide, so look for it at your grocery store or liquor store around the end of next week.
Speaking of big, dark beers, Lost Forty is bringing back a highly successful ale from last year. For today’s Freshcut Monday, the brewery is tapping Big Shirley Belgian Brown Ale. Big Shirley’s classic Belgian yeast profile brings loads of spice and stone fruit notes to the table, along with some sharp herbal aromatics. At 6.3 percent ABV, the flavor is bigger than the impact, and you’ll probably be good having two of these. This one is getting the full Lost Forty treatment; you can buy it in pints, growlers or crowlers to go, and in six-packs at the taproom and (soon) around town. Before Big Shirley hits your local grocery store, however, you will probably start seeing last week’s debut Ice Day Winter IPA. Lost Forty says six-packs of that one are at the distributor now and should be for sale very soon.
Stone’s Throw is ready for the holidays this week with its latest brew called Winter Warmer. This one is a malty Scotch ale that was brewed with mulling spices, giving each sip a pop of holiday flavor. At 8 percent ABV, there’s plenty of backbone along with the spices to make you forget all about the cold weather outside. Stone’s Throw is releasing this one for its #NewBrewFriday event. Also on Friday, Stone’s Throw is once again competing in the annual Nog-Off competition at the Historic Arkansas Museum. Stone’s Throw will team up with The Pizzeria in the Heights and face off against nine other competitors. That event starts at 5 p.m.
No new beers this week from Flyway Brewing, but there is one event on their calendar this week. On Wednesday, Flyway will be at North Bar serving up $8 boilermakers created with its Free Range Brown Ale. That event is from 6 p.m. until 9 p.m.
Do you have any beer news you want to share with us? Email steveshuler@gmail.com.

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