Brewery News: New brewery in Rogers, craft beer options expand, and other local rumblings

A sign announcing a small brewery application stands in front of the New Province Brewing construction site at 1310 W. Hudson Rd. in Rogers.

New Province Brewing, Facebook photo

New Province Brewing Company

Work continues in Rogers on what will be the newest addition to the local brewery scene.

New Province Brewing Company last week took delivery of their new brewhouse, set to be installed at the new brewery, which is being built at 1310 W. Hudson Rd. in Rogers.

Aside from construction, permitting, and all-around business planning, founder and brewmaster Derek McEnroe has been slowly unveiling his anticipated lineup of beers.

Announcements so far include Civilian, a moderately hopped American-style pale ale (35 IBU / 5% ABV), and the twice-as-bitter Philosopher, a West Coast-style IPA which includes a more aggressive late and dry hop bill (70 IBU / 6.5% ABV).


More craft beer distribution on tap

Oskar Blues and Lagunitas will soon distribute to Arkansas

It’s been an exciting couple of years for for craft beer in Northwest Arkansas, and that trend will continue in 2015.

National brands continue to flock to The Natural State in hopes of capitalizing on the growing palates of beer drinkers in Arkansas.

The flood gates were opened when brands like Prairie, Summit, Founders, Six Point, Kona, and Victory started hitting retail shelves, so it was no surprise to learn that mega-famous brands like Oskar Blues and Lagunitas are soon headed our way. With a resume this big, it’ll be hard to overlook Arkansas when considering future expansion plans.

It’s not all about Top 50 brands, though.

Non-resident beer permit applications were recently filed on behalf of Carson’s Brewery (Evansville, Indiana), Southern Prohibition Brewing (Hattiesburg, Mississippi), and Ghost River Brewing (Memphis, Tennessee).


Fossil Cove adds on-site food, plans new brewery

This week brought news of some major happenings at Fayetteville’s own Fossil Cove Brewing.

Owner Ben Mills has partnered with Little Bread Co. co-owner Mitchell Owen to open Container Kitchen, a new restaurant built inside a shipping container adjacent to the brewery.

Mills and Owen hired local chef Jessie Schumann to help develop a simple menu of six items made from scratch with fresh ingredients, including bratwurst with sauerkraut, Jarlsberg cheeseburger sliders, black bean avocado tacos, a strawberry bacon goat cheese salad, and cheesy polenta fries.

The Container Kitchen will be open for dinner on Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday at 4 p.m., and on Saturday and Sunday at 2 p.m.

Mills also leaked a bit of info about his brand new brewery that’s in the works just around the corner from the current Fossil Cove location near the Scull Creek Trail entrance on Ash Street.

The project, which will include an expanded brewhouse and taproom, as well as space for the Container Kitchen, is still in the design phase with help from local firm Modus Studio.


JJ’s Grill owners plan new brewery

jjsDetails are scant, but the owners of JJ’s Grill are working toward building a new brewery in Northwest Arkansas.

According to an online job posting for a brewmaster, the plan is to build a brewery with an attached restaurant somewhere in the region with an initial goal of brewing only for distribution and sales inside the company’s restaurants.

Interested head brewers should email jethorn222 [at] yahoo [dot] com for more information.


Other local rumblings

Ozark Beer Company’s Double IPA / Courtesy

Core recently opened its new Har-Ber Meadows taproom at 7022 W. Sunset Ave. in Springdale. The company is also hiring a delivery driver/cellarman, and recently unveiled details about its new Pounders Club.

Fayetteville’s Columbus House has been open on North Street for about two months now. The brewery recently announced it will offer free yoga classes on the second and fourth Sunday of each month at noon. Participants will receive $1 off their first two pints after each session.

Saddlebock is also offering yoga classes with a suggested donation at 11 a.m. on Sundays.

Apple Blossom is hiring an assistant brewer. It’s a full-time position with weekend availability preferred. They’re also looking for kitchen help. Send resumes to abbcbrewmaster [at] gmail [dot] com.

Apple Blossom also recently collaborated with Bike Rack Brewing to produce a limited release Hoppy Pilsner. The light-bodied and low ABV brew sounds like a perfect hot weather seasonal, and is available at the Bike Rack taproom at 410 SW A St. in Bentonville.

Bike Rack Brewing’s Hoppy Pils / Courtesy

West Mountain brewmaster Ryan Pickop is about six months into his new position at the brewery on the Fayetteville square. His transition from a Texas whisky distillery seems to be going well, as does his entrance into the local music scene. Pickop’s next local gig is an opening slot on the July 31 Water Liars show at JR’s Lightbulb Club on Block Avenue in Fayetteville.

Ozark recently doubled up for one of the Rogers brewery’s latest offerings. Weighing in at 120 pounds of Cascade, Chinook, and Crystal hops, their West Coast-style Double IPA features exactly twice the tonnage of hops used in their year-round IPA. Brewmaster Andy Coates said only 30 barrels were brewed, so act quick if you want a taste. It’s currently available at the Ozark taproom and select bars and restaurants around the region (we found it at Hugo’s in Fayetteville a few days ago).

Bentonville Brewing Company is now open at 1000 SE 5th St. in Bentonville. Hours are 4-10 p.m. on Wednesday; 4-11 p.m. Thursday and Friday; 2-11 p.m. on Saturday; and 2-9 p.m. on Sunday.

There’s been a big change at what is to become Arkansas’ first modern cidery. Noble Crossing Cider House recently became Black Apple Crossing as partners John Handley, Trey Holt, and Leo Orpin recently decided to change the name. Finishing touches are being put on the cidery at 321 E. Emma Ave. in Springdale, and a grand opening date has been set for July 25.