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he nationwide explosion of craft beer has become increasingl y evident in central Arkansas. Of course, there were the pioneers
of Little Rock. Diamond Bear Brewing Co. and Vino’s Brewpub are not only the lon- gest-serving brewers in central Arkansas, but they also both laid the foundation that made this recent craft beer boom possible. It was through their work that the state of Arkan- sas passed the Native Brewery Act of 2003, allowing beer makers to sell and distribute their beer to restaurants without using a dis- tributor, sell beer out of their own taprooms and open for business Sundays.
Still, it was 10 years after that until the sec- ond wave of craft beer in central Arkansas hit. That’s when Stone’s Throw Brewing opened
its doors on Ninth Street near MacArthur Park. Fellow nanobrewery Blue Canoe Brew- ing Co. followed suit downtown, and Yellow Rocket Concepts’ Lost Forty Brewing made arguably the biggest splash yet, selling cans of its beer in grocery stores in addition to a robust, popular kegged lineup.
Almost a year has passed since then with- out a new brewery opening in the Little Rock area. But don’t let that convince you that the craft beer scene has stagnated. In reality, a third w a ve of brewers is busy working be- hind the scenes right now, and the number of breweries in central Arkansas is set to at least double in the next couple of years. Finally, Little Rock is about to experience the real surge in local beer that so many cities around the country have already enjoyed.
BY STEVE SHULER | PHOTOGRAPHY BY STEVE SHULER
CENTRAL ARKANSAS’ CRAFT BEER SCENE DOUBLES AS A COMMUNITY
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