There’s bittersweet news out of East Village this week for local brewery lovers: East Sixth Brewing is out and a second, reimagined Lost Forty location is in.
On Tuesday, East Sixth Brewing Co. (formerly Rebel Kettle Brewing) announced it would be closing shop for good after an ill-timed rebrand and struggles amid the pandemic.
“In late 2019 we sat down and decided to create a brewery unlike anything in Little Rock. We envisioned a patio full of happy people enjoying one-of-a-kind beers and live music,” East Sixth shared on social media. “We brightened the place up and underwent a complete rebrand, and then COVID happened.”
Locals didn’t have to wait long to discover what would be moving in at 822 E. Sixth St. On Wednesday, Lost Forty Brewing announced it would expand into the space just down the street from its original location.
The yet-to-be-named venture is set to open in spring 2021 and will make use of the in-house brewing space to create specialty beers without interrupting Lost Forty’s classic and seasonal brew lineup.
“Our brewing team is excited about adding to our capacity for small batch and experimental project production,” says Lost Forty brewer and production manager Dylan Yelenich. “Having more opportunity to be creative will be fun for our team and our patrons.”
According to restaurateurs Yellow Rocket Concepts — the team also behind Big Orange, Local Lime, ZaZa’s and Heights Taco & Tamale — guests can expect a full, “vibrant” new menu that will pair well with the location’s famed patio and outdoor space.
“Little Rock’s local dining and craft brewing scenes have gone through a major renaissance over the past 10 years, and the team at Yellow Rocket Concepts has been a major factor in that growth,” says Gretchen Hall, president and CEO of the Little Rock Visitors and Convention Bureau. “Now with their seventh concept in Little Rock, they’re showing an even stronger commitment to the city. I look forward not only to visiting myself, but for locals and visitors alike to experience what’s sure to be a new landmark destination in the East Village.”
In the meantime, you can find the last remaining East Sixth brews, as well as a handful of limited release barrel-aged bottles, in local stores and restaurants over the coming weeks.
Learn more about Lost Forty on the brewery’s website, and follow along on Facebook and Instagram for the latest.
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