I know this summer has been awash in fruit beers, but Stone’s Throw has one coming out you really need to try. Its #NewBrewFriday release is the Pit Boss Peach Hefe, and when I sampled it this weekend, I thought it was just about perfect. It’s a wonderfully made Hefeweizen with the trademark sweet, yeasty flavors that balance very well with the peaches. At 5.8 percent ABV, I’ll be having quite a bit of this over the coming weeks. Stone’s Throw’s #NewBrewFriday starts at 4 p.m. at the taproom. Also, the brewery is gearing up for its annual Block on Rock anniversary celebration next week. This is always one of the year’s best parties, with plenty of beer, food trucks and live music. It’s next Saturday, July 29, from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Rebel Kettle continues the city’s fruit beer theme this week, though don’t think that this release is just a simple brew with fruit juice. For 4:30 Thursday, Rebel Kettle is putting out its Tiny Spoon Grapefruit Wheat Ale. Rebel Kettle took a classic American wheat ale recipe and then refermented it on a grapefruit puree. And then it added fresh grapefruit peel. And then the brew went through an additional dry-hop stage to bring out more of the citrus flavors. It’s safe to say that grapefruit fans aren’t going to want to skip this event. Also, for all you Beer Yoga fans out there, Rebel Kettle’s next class is Tuesday evening at 7 p.m. As a reminder, the class is $10, which covers the cost of your first beer. Bring your own towel and mat.
Lost Forty’s Freshcut Monday release goes in the opposite direction this week with its Trash Panda IPA. The brew gets its name from the raccoon’s tendency to rummage through leftovers and come away with a meal. This IPA borrows four different varieties of hops and adds oats and malted wheat to the brew. It’s everybody in the pool, and Lost Forty says the result is a New England-style IPA that drinks easy and packs a ton of citrus and stone fruit flavors. You can enjoy a pint in the taproom or pick up a growler to go; cans are not available for this release.
Diamond Bear continues its Cubby Series (small batch brews) on Friday with the release of its orange cream ale at 5 p.m. at Arkansas Ale House. Head brewer Nathan Greubel says this one comes from a homebrewing recipe he developed before he started working at Diamond Bear. These small batch releases have been pretty successful, so you’ll want to head to North Little Rock to start your weekend right.
Don’t forget, this Saturday is the Great Arkansas Beer Festival at the Statehouse Convention Center. Tickets are on sale now for $30. Sadly, the festival still hasn’t released its beer list or even a rundown of the breweries that will be represented there. A portion of all ticket sales will go to benefit Ronald McDonald House Charities of Arkansas.
Do you have some beer news you would like to share with us? Email me at steve@rockcityeats.com.
RIP Damgoode Pies
November 20, 2023
