First, a quick kudos to the Central Arkansas Fermenters for putting on an outstanding Little Rocktoberfest Saturday night. The constant rain forced everyone under the Dickey-Stephens concourse, but that didn’t stop the party. There were some truly excellent beers on display both from homebrewers (Graham Linder’s killer honey mead, Nathan Greubel’s lemon ginger gose) and professionals (Prestonrose’s perfect Cashmere Farmhouse Saison, Flyway’s Lord God Imperial Chocolate Stout). As usual, the event was a smash success, well deserving of recognition as one of the top beer festivals in the state.
One new brew at Little Rocktoberfest I got to try is now on tap at Superior Bathhouse Brewery. Space Force is a 7.8 percent ABV New England IPA with quite a lot going on. The juicy IPA is ultra hazy, and with blood orange puree and notes of passionfruit and pineapple, Space Force is a delicious example of what’s become a popular style the past couple of years. It’s available at Superior by the glass and in growlers to go.
Speaking of great homebrews, Rebel Kettle this week is releasing a new pro-am brewed pale ale. Low Orbit is the award-winning recipe from homebrewer Anthony Cobb, who beat out more than a dozen competitors to get the chance to brew with the Rebel Kettle team. This is a pale ale with a toasted malt profile fortified with citrusy hops for an easy-to-drink brew. Low Orbit goes on tap for 4:30 Thursday this week.
Core Brewing is rolling out their second round of Battle of the Brewers this Saturday (29th). This time the four brewers at Core took on stouts, the result was two imperial stouts, one Mexican chocolate stout, and one white Russian stout. These will be available in all taprooms starting Saturday.
There’s a trio of fan favorite seasonal brews out this week around the city, starting today at Lost Forty Brewing. For its Freshcut Monday release, the taproom is bringing back Rock Candy Belgian Abbey Ale. Rock Candy is a big Belgian dubbel with a robust 10 percent ABV. The Belgian yeast strain was cultivated on hard candy syrup, and the result is a rich, velvety ale. It’s available today by the glass and in growlers and crowlers to go. Very soon, you’ll also be able to find it in four-packs at the taproom.
Also returning this week is Stone’s Throw Brewing’s Pumpkin Pie Porter. This 6 percent ABV brew is the perfect accompaniment to the (finally) lower temperatures that rolled in this weekend. Blackprinz and chocolate malts give the porter a toasty profile, and the addition of fresh pumpkin makes for a mild, sweet finish. This one is getting released at the MacPark location for #NewBrewFriday at 4 p.m.
And finally, a fall classic from Flyway Brewing that is back on tap right now. Thrasher Black Lager is one of the few Schwarzbier styles that is made in Central Arkansas. The beer is black as night, but it drinks extremely light with a heavy accent on the malt in the profile. At 6.3 percent ABV, it might be dangerous to have multiple glasses, but it is certainly tempting. Thrasher is on tap right now at Flyway and should be around for much of the fall.
Do you have any beer news to tell us about? Email steveshuler@rockcityeats.com.
RIP Damgoode Pies
November 20, 2023
