you probably think of Adolphus Busch, even if Budweiser and co. are property of multinational overlords across the pond these days. But for the last 20 years, Saint Louis Brewery, which brews a large variety of beers under the Schlafly brand, has become a regional favorite, and now they’re the largest locally-owned brewery in St. Louis. They also hold the distinction of being Missouri’s first new brewpub after Prohibition, after the state allowed microbreweries in 1990. In addition to their standbys, they serve up interesting seasonal options that are only available at their brewpubs — word is, we’ll get to sample a few at the festival. DR.
one of the beers that helped pull America out of its mid-century addiction to macrobrews, take a tug off an Anchor Steam, from a San Francisco brewery that first brewed the robust caramel lager in 1896. Bottling arrived in 1971, and patiently waited for American tastes to catch up. Joining it in Little Rock will be the ’70s throwbacks Liberty and the English-style Old Foghorn. Also along for this trip: California Lager, last year’s Christmas and this fall’s seasonal, and Big Leaf Maple, the newborn babe of the bunch. SE
BOSTON BEER COMPANY
SHINER
312 Main Street • north LittLe rock 501.376.2900 • renoSargentacafe.coM
3501 Old Cantrell rd
501.916.9706
thefOldlr.COm
Check It Out • Now Open All Day • Expanded Fall Menu • Daily Drink Specials • Brunch Menu
TOAST TOWN OF THE
RUNNER-UP
When Texas inevitably secedes from the Union, leaving the rest of the country to wonder whether it means we’ll be deprived of more Rick Perry presidential campaign bloopers, beer drinkers will rue the loss of suds from Shiner, Texas. The 104-yearold flagship brew, Shiner Bock, last year claimed one of Spoetzl Brewery’s three gold medals at the Great American Beer Festival; its Bohemian Black Lager, which will also be in Little Rock, captured one as well. You can also toast with the Holiday Cheer and the Blonde, which we must presume will always remain a favored Texan export. SE
BRECKENRIDGE BREWERY
TALLGRASS BREWING COMPANY
This sixyear-old Manhattan, Kan., brewery was started by a former geologist who has made the packing material a point of pride, jettisoning bottles two years ago in favor of 16-ounce cans that shut out light, keep beer fresher and, perchance to dream, deliver a third again as much beer as your traditional 12-ounce bottle. Its 8-Bit pale ale is some of the smoothest drinking in flyover country. Also on hand will be its Buffalo Sweat stout, Ethos IPA, spanking-new Zombie Monkie porter, English-style Pub Ale, and Velvet Rooster, which purports to be the world’s first canned Belgian-style Tripel. SE
NATIONAL
Best Happy Hour Best Margarita Best Drinking Brunch Best Tequila Selection Best Bartender, Jack Lloyd
ANCHOR BREWING If you want to taste 22
OCTOBER 24, 2013
ARKANSAS TIMES
The largest craft brewery in the country, and the fourthlargest overall, carries a ticker symbol on the New York Stock Exchange that nods to its ever-expanding line of Samuel Adams beers. Business is good: If you’d bought a share of SAM 10 years ago, when its price was equivalent to half a case of Sam Adams Lager, you’d have $240 today, or about three kegs’ worth. You can taste prosperity at the festival via Grumpy Monk Belgian IPA, the stiff Fat Jack Double Pumpkin Ale, Samuel Adams Stony Brook Red, and Samuel Adams Thirteenth Hour Stout. SE
Opened in 1990 by home brewer and self-described “ski bum” Richard Squire, Breckenridge Brewery has grown to a 32-state distribution area, including Arkansas. Known as much for their food as for their beer, the five operating ale houses in Colorado draw thousands of visitors every year, as does the original brew pub located in historic Breckenridge, Colo. MR
BREWERY OMMEGANG
Finally a brewer that combines my favorite thing (Belgian-style brewing) and my wife’s favorite thing (“Game of Thrones” novelty items). Among the beers that Brewery Ommegang will be pouring: Take the Black Stout, inspired by the brotherhood of the Night’s Watch from the hit fantasy novels and television series. CONTINUED ON PAGE 26