Growlers: Rebel Kettle Taps Barrel-Aged Wake 'n' Flake, Lost Forty Starts Barleywine Series

Welcome to Growlers: your weekly roundup of news, events and specials from Little Rock’s breweries and taprooms. Little Rock’s beer scene is growing and improving at a rapid pace, and we’re dedicated to keeping you up to speed on all of it. Here’s what’s happening this week:
Rebel Kettle Brewing Company has a “drop everything and go” release for 4:30 Thursday, when it will tap its Barrel-Aged Wake ‘n’ Flake coconut cream stout. Wake ‘n’ Flake is one of Rebel Kettle’s most popular seasonal batches, and after spending six months in an oak barrel, it promises to be a flavor you aren’t going to find every day. This one is aged on roasted coffee beans and house-toasted coconut flakes to keep the brew as fresh as possible. It’s a small batch, so it’s likely there won’t be any growlers for sale; just pours from the taproom.
For a first taste of what Lost Forty has planned in the coming months, you’ll want to head to the taproom this afternoon. That’s because Lost Forty is kicking off its American Barleywine barrel project series for its Freshcut Monday release at 4 p.m. today. Most of this initial barleywine batch is going into bourbon barrels for aging and will be released a few months from now. However, Lost Forty is putting a limited amount on tap to drink at the brewery; no crowlers or growlers will be available. At 9.2 percent ABV and 72 IBU (that’s “international bittering units” for those of you who aren’t beer nerds), I imagine just one pour will do it. While you’re there, make sure to welcome back brewer Dylan Yelenich, who spent the last six months in Chicago and Europe becoming a Certified Master Brewer. Yelenich will be putting his new experience to work for Lost Forty starting this week.
I’m really excited for the new Diamond Bear small batch series by head brewer Jeremy Whitehead. Diamond Bear is typically a production brewer, so seeing some smaller, taproom-only beers come out shows the brewery is still willing to have some fun and get creative. This Friday’s small batch release is called Stripper Sweat. It’s a 4.8 percent ABV kolsch brewed with tangerine and finished with – and this is true – food-grade glitter. If you’ve never had a glittery beer before, Friday is your chance. Whitehead’s small batch series is only a five-gallon batch and is dependent on how much time he gets to brew.
Flyway Brewing owner Jess McMullen says he is thrilled with how his Lord God imperial chocolate stout turned out. This giant brew is 11 percent ABV, so you probably won’t need more than one. However, if you get the craving for it, you might soon be able to find it around town. McMullen says there’s a chance for some kegs to make it to area restaurants; we’ll keep you posted if that happens. By the way, Tuesday is the perfect time to enjoy Lord God during the Audubon Happy Hour event. Flyway is discounting all seasonal pints by $1 and marking down its pretzels by 50 percent. You’ll also get to chat with members of the Arkansas Natural Heritage Commission about conservations programs in the state of Arkansas.
Stone’s Throw Brewing is releasing a beer this week that hasn’t been on tap in more than two years. The brewery’s #NewBrewFriday is Mickey’s Irish Red, a six percent ABV red ale that finished clean with a taste of the roasted grain that went into make it. Also, if you find yourself fancying a classic movie night, Stone’s Throw will host a showing of Alfred Hitchcock’s “The Birds” Wednesday night at 6 p.m. Admission is free, though you’ll still have to pay for your beer.
Do you have some beer news you would like to share with us? Email me at steve@rockcityeats.com.

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