RIVER READY
BREWS
Craft Beers to float your boat.
With the ever-growing craft brewery scene in Arkansas, it’s no surprise that The Natural State provides plenty of options when it comes to beer. Brandon Brewer at Legacy Wine and Sprits has expertly curated a few of his favorite “river worthy beers”, perfect for creekside fishing or rolling down the Saline with your friends. Prost!
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LudaCrisp
Ozark Beer Company, Rogers
Style: Czech Pilsner
ABV: 5.2%
IBU: 35
The LudaCrisp pilsner from Ozark Beer Company isn’t your average brew. This hop-forward pilsner, with Czech Saaz and German malt, is brewed slow and cold, with a touch of Southern hospitality. It pours straw-gold, smells like honey and biscuits and tastes like bread and lemon. The clean, sharp finish, medium body and just the right carbonation are perfect for a hot day. What’s our fantasy? This beer, a river and some sun.
Electric Feel Sour Ale
Social Project Brewing Co., Bentonville
Style: Sour Ale
ABV: 5.8%
IBU: N/A
The mouth-puckering taste of tart lemonade loaded with fresh raspberries? Pure pleasure. Its sweetness balances the sour, making it dangerously drinkable. Think poolside perfection, but river-style. It’s like your childhood lemonade spiked with a sweet and tart dream. The perfect summer crusher, and an absolute favorite for a hot day on the water.
Little Red Strawberry Lager
Diamond Bear Brewing, North Little Rock
Style: Lager
ABV: 4.2%
IBU: 77
Talk about a river day refresher. With its crisp pilsner base and real strawberry, the Little Red from Diamond Bear is perfect. With the smells of grass with sweet fruit and tastes of subtle strawberry, it all feels like a sip of spring each time. Light-bodied, easy drinking and just a little sweet. It’s why we grab it for a day on the water. It’s a unique lager that perfectly balances the flavors we expect as the season changes.
Hills and Hollers
Bentonville Brewing Co., Bentonville
Style: Amber Lager
ABV: 5.2%
IBU: 24
A beer for every adventure, from spring fishing to summer floats. The toffee, toasted oats and hazelnut notes are like a warm hug after a day on the water. It’s the sublime malty prize we require for respite against the hustle and bustle, and what we grab to truly appreciate the wonder of Arkansas. It’s the best way to relax and savor the moment, right by the river’s edge.
Honeybird
Flyway Brewing, North Little Rock
Style: Blonde Ale
ABV: 4.9%
IBU: 20
Flyway’s Honeybird is like a golden hour in a can. It pours honey-hued, a bit hazy, with that sweet honey and bready aroma we love. On the river, those soft apple and pear notes are perfect as the weather warms. That slight Belgian funk? It just works. The full-bodied, smooth and lingering farmhouse-yeast taste is exactly why we keep coming back. A slick, satisfying finish makes it a perfect river pick, every time.
Day Drinker
Lost 40 Brewing, Little Rock
Style: Blonde Ale
ABV: 4.8%
IBU: 10
How can you doubt a name like that? Hazy and golden, like the sun on the water, the Day Drinker is made for long outdoor days. The orange zest aroma, soft fruit and banana flavors are perfect for the river breeze. It has just a hint of Belgian sweetness, a light body and a low ABV. That’s why it’s a great, go-to beer to sip while you watch the river flow.
Don’t Forget!
While there’s nothing wrong with enjoying a cold brew outside, remember to follow
the guidelines set by the parks and rivers you visit.
Do not operate vehicles or watercraft while drinking.
Stick to cans, leave the glass bottles at home.
If floating, don’t forget your floating koozie and strap!
If you pack it in, pack it out!
Moderation is key.
All images courtesy of vendors
