Event poster
Last year, around this time, the folks at Fossil Cove Brewery had somewhat of an epiphany.
Despite conventional wisdom, you can in fact throw an outdoor beer festival in the dead of winter in Fayetteville, Arkansas.
Brewery owner Ben Mills and company organized the first ever Frost Fest in early February 2016 at a vacant lot off Poplar Street, the weather cooperated, and the inaugural event was a smashing success.
This year, they’re planning for an even larger turnout at the second annual Frost Fest, set for 3-7 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 4 at a new location at 2463 N. McConnell Ave. (adjacent to the Washington County Fairgrounds).
This year’s festival will include craft beers from more than 30 breweries from Arkansas and around the region, along with live music by Joplin rockers Me Like Bees and local New Orleans-style band, Crescent City Combo.
The idea behind the event was to get actual representatives from the breweries to show up and pour beer at the festival, and that trend will continue in the event’s second year. Some craft beer festival organizers utilize distributors or volunteers to work the taps, which cuts down on the direct contact with the folks who make and work with the beer.
“One of the things we wanted to get away from was the impersonal atmosphere of some beer festivals when it comes to out-of-state brands,” organizer and Fossil Cove founder Ben Mills told us last year.
In addition to the beer and music, the event will also include food by several local food trucks and mobile vendors. A portion of festival proceeds will be used to support Apple Seeds Inc., a local non-profit organization dedicated to educating children about where food comes from.
The event will take place rain, snow, or shine, and attendees must be 21 years of age or order to enter.
Tickets are $35 in advance, and $40 the week of the event. They are now on sale at eventbrite.com.
Participating Breweries – Frost Fest 2017
Anthem Brewing Company – Oklahoma City, OK
Bike Rack Brewing Co. – Bentonville, AR
Riparian Ales – St. Louis, MO
Fossil Cove Brewing Co. – Fayetteville, AR
Ozark Beer Company – Rogers, AR
Earthbound Beer- St. Louis, MO
Martin City Brewing Company, Kansas City, MO
Black Apple Crossing – Springdale, AR
Crane Brewing – Raytown, MO
Mother’s Brewing Co., Springfield, MO
Bentonville Brewing Co. – Bentonville, AR
Core Brewing & Distilling – Springdale, AR
Lost 40 Brewing – Little Rock, AR
Saddlebock Brewery – Springdale, AR
Columbus House Brewery – Fayetteville, AR
Coop Ale Works – Oklahoma City, OK
Blue Canoe – Little Rock, AR
Foster’s Pint & Plate, Rogers, AR
Apple Blossom Brewing Co. – Fayetteville, AR
Damgoode Brews – Little Rock, AR
Springfield Brewing Company – Springfield, MO
West Mountain Brewery – Fayetteville, AR
Bubba Brew’s Brewing Co. – Bonnerdale, AR
Flyway Brewing Co. – North Little Rock, AR
Schlafly – St. Louis, MO
Diamond Bear Brewing Co – North Little Rock, AR
Alpha Brewing Company – St. Louis, MO
Lagunitas Brewing Co. – Lagunitas, CA
Marshall Brewing Company – Tulsa, OK
Wise Acre Brewing Co. – Memphis, TN
New Provence Brewing Co. – Rogers, AR
Lazy Magnolia Brewing Co. – Kiln, MS
