It’s finally spring so that means it’s patio season again in central Arkansas. Spring also means swapping heavy stouts for lighter pilsners, which happen to be well-suited for Sunday Fundays. We’ve talked with the experts to get their recommendations for the best local spring brews around the Greater Little Rock area. Cheers!
Diamond Bear Brewing Company
Irish Red
ABV – 5.9%
What it’s like: “This Irish style red ale is a proven winner,” says Josh Green. “With a gold medal at the Great American Beer Festival, and a bronze medal at the World Beer Cup, this bold and smooth beer is the perfect companion to the crisp spring days ahead.”
Dogtown Brown
ABV – 5.8%
What it’s like: “We took a small hiatus with this one, but she’s back and better than ever,” Green says. “Dogtown Brown pays tribute to the rich history of North Little Rock (our home since 2014). This easy drinking lager with notes of malty chocolate, our brown is something sweet, something smooth and mighty drinkable!”
Flyway Brewing
Imperial Red Velvet Ale
ABV – 8%
“This is the spring offering from Flyway’s Traditional Cake Series,” says Jess McMullen, co-owner of Flyway. “The Imperial Red Ale has nice citrus hops up front with a chocolate and vanilla cake finish.”
Audu-Blonde Ale
ABV – 4.5%
“This easy drinking beer is the perfect compliment to a sunny day,” McMullen says. “Flyway partners with Audubon Arkansas and donates $1 from every pint.”
Cloudsplitter Pilsner
ABV – 5.5%
“This is a Bohemian-style pils with German and American malts with a nice floral nose from the noble hops, and a crisp and clean finish,” McMullen says.
Stone’s Throw Brewing
Jar on the Floor, Peach Saison
ABV – 3.5%
“We don’t do a lot of fruit beers, but there’s something about the weather warming up that tempts us to try something different,” says Ian Beard, co-owner of Stone’s Throw Brewing. “As part of our ongoing partnership with the Arkansas Rep, we created ‘Jar the Floor,’ a peach saison named for their latest production. Peach puree provides a fruity flavor without getting too sweet, and the session-strength ABV makes this perfect for all-day patio sitting. Bring on the sunshine!”
Bruxelles Belgian Blonde
ABV – 6.5%
“We’re also bringing back a beer we haven’t featured in a few years that screams spring,” Beard says. “Bruxelles Belgian Blonde fills your glass with a bright and light brew with the unmistakable flavor of estery Belgian yeast. Highly crushable on one of those 90-degree ‘spring’ days.”
Core Brewing Company
Blood Orange IPA
ABV – 6%
“A light body, smooth taste of a sessions IPA, and the sweetness of a blood orange,” says Jay Richardson, vice president of Core Brewing Company.
El Hefe
ABV – 6%
“The Second beer we are brewing is a German Hefeweizen beer,” Richardson says. “This is a return of a classic beer our EL Hefe. A medium body with a fruity aroma. Both of these beers will be ready in the next couple of months.”
Rebel Kettle Brewing Co.
Season of Sin, Spring Saison
ABV – 7.2%
“Dry and dangerously drinkable, Season of Sin boasts bold aromas and flavors of tropical fruit and Belgian spice,” says John Lee, head brewer and co-owner of Rebel Kettle.
“Black Reign”, Bourbon Barrel Russian Imperial Stout
ABV – 9.6%
“It is the foundation upon which Rebel Kettle Brewing is built,” Lee says. “It exemplifies uniqueness and the reasoning to be ever-evolving. Bold roasted malt, coffee and chocolate-like flavors embodied in a rich, bourbon vanilla oakiness. Black as night with luscious full body and a velvety smooth texture. Between brazenness and finesse, lies the beauty of Black Reign.”