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On this week's edition of the Flavors of Northwest Arkansas podcast, we're in Springdale where we interviewed the 3 owners of Rein Sushi & Hibachi. We'll talk to Raynor, Bari and Avery shortly, but first... Food News!! Some big food news came down yesterday. James Beard nominated Chef Matthew Cooper and the folks at Conifer announced a new endeavor on Monday night- It's called RYN! It will be a farm-to-table tasting menu restaurant, and like Conifer, it'll be gluten-free. Also like Conifer, they'll support local farmers and purveyors, providing fresh, and sustainable ingredients. If you listened to Conifer's podcast with us in March, you heard Chef Cooper break the news that they'd have their own farm soon. Well, that farm will be right outside the back door, and they'll be growing much of their own food right on the farm. They also hope to provide community events and much more. It's set to open next year. We'll have more info as it becomes available and catch up with Chef Cooper next year. The Ozark Beer Company's release of its heralded Bourbon Double Cream Stout, or BDCS, went live Monday, and as of last night, they were still selling it on their website. It's a smaller run this year, so it won't last long. You can pick up your orders in their taproom starting December 28th. There are few things I like more than fun food & Bev promotions, and one smacked me RIGHT across the face the other day on Instagram. Black Apple Hard Cider is having a Short Girl Appreciation night, where they'll short your tab 10% if you're a female under 5-foot-2... it runs from 5-10pm on Tuesday December 21st... don't forget, they have a full cocktail program now to go along with some of the country's best cider. Speaking of cocktails, if you're in the Siloam area, Park House Kitchen & Bar has come out with their holiday cocktail menu! That Peppermint Mocha White Russian and Smores Old Fashioned have my attention. Check it out on their social media... Now to Rein Sushi & Hibachi... to be so young, what a past these folks have. There are 3 owners, Reiner Wibowo, Averie Mattix and Bari Abe, and they're super-tight. Reiner and Bari are both originally from Indonesia but met in Harrison, Arkansas, where they both met Averie and started a popular business there that they'll talk about. Later, they got the itch to open in an area where they liked to go on their off days, Northwest Arkansas. This is their 2nd business here, but the first one was purposefully short-lived, while they were looking for a place to set up their dream business... By the way, there are some unique menu items that we get to the bottom of! Check out Reiner, Averie and Bari on this edition of the Flavors of Northwest Arkansas!
Happy Thanksgiving and welcome to another edition of the Flavors of Northwest Arkansas podcast. Appreciate you being here. Today, we catch up with Julie Sill. You know her from owning and operating a few legendary Dickson Street spots from back in the day, Common Grounds and the Hog Haus Brewery in Fayetteville. She's back and opening a new spot. More on that in a second. A few quick things first. If you're in need of a free Thanksgiving meal on Thursday, I've posted a list of places that are serving them on Instagram and Facebook. Just look for the Flavors of Northwest Arkansas. Secondly, some very important dates were announced yesterday (Tuesday, November 26th) for any and all beer nerds out there. The good folks at the Ozark Beer Company announced that they'll be releasing their vaunted BDCS during the last week of the year! For those that don't know, that is the Bourbon Double Cream Stout. People come in from out of state for this release. It's been rated World Class by Beer Advocate, it's and it's right here in our own back yard! We'll get a history lesson on it from Lacie Bray and Marty Shutter of Ozark Beer Company. Hear what you'll be able to get and when! By the way, if you want to hear the Ozark Beer podcast, scroll back to April 17th. It has some great stories! Also, head to Ozark Beer Company's social media to see the message from owners Lacie and Andy about the release. Now. Back to the Feral Pig... Julie Sill came to the UofA on a soccer scholarship. A knee injury ended her soccer career, and she needed to figure out what to do next. While she was doing that, she waited tables. She worked her way up. She found a correlation between the restaurant business and soccer, and that's what sucked her in. She'll tell you what that is. She worked her way into management and was soon running a restaurant for someone else. It didn't take long before she had her own restaurant at the age of 21! She'll tell that story and how she got Common Grounds off the ground. Later, she'd own and run the Hog Haus Brewery and wait until you hear the sweetheart deal that she got! Health would force her to get out of the business and head home to Maryland, but Fayetteville pulled her back, and now she's launching a new spot. Sidenote- there are a few spots in here where adult language is used, so beware! We'll hear from Julie Sill, next here on the Flavors of Northwest Arkansas.
On this edition of the Flavors of Northwest Arkansas Podcast, we head to Rogers and the Ozark Beer Company, where we talk with co-owner Lacie Bray and marketing “do-everything guy” Marty Shutter. They were the first brewery in Benton County, and they tell us what it was like being the first and how they got there. Also, how did they stay afloat during Covid? They were VERY nimble. They tell us the lessons learned from that time– some of which they still use. And what was Ozark Beer doing at the Smithsonian last year? So many stories in this one! Thanks for checking out the Flavors of Northwest Arkansas!
About the Show:"We always feel like we're working very hard... I think we feel immensely grateful to have ended up in Northwest Arkansas."Lacie BrayAbout the Guest:Lacie Bray is a co-owner and visionary behind Ozark Beer Company, a craft brewery based in the Ozarks, celebrating the intersection of traditional brewing styles and community building. Together with her husband, Andy Coates, they founded Ozark Beer Company in 2013, which is renowned for its sustainable brewing practices and local engagement. Lacie boasts a rich background intertwined with the ethos of the Ozarks, childhood roots in Northwest Arkansas, and diverse experiences from Colorado to Chicago. Her passion lies in creating spaces that mirror and serve the community's preferences and values.Episode Summary:This episode of the I am Northwest Arkansas podcast welcomes Lacie Bray from Ozark Beer Company, as she shares the profound journey of entrepreneurship, community engagement, and brewing innovation in the heart of the Ozarks. Listeners are taken on a tale of the brewery's genesis from an idea born amidst the scenic beauty of Walla Walla, Washington, to a flourishing community staple in downtown Rogers, Arkansas.At the core of the conversation is the unique beer philosophy of Ozark Beer Company. Lacie delves into their focus on traditional brewing styles, sustainable practices, and responsiveness to community tastes – from their core beers to the introduction of kombucha on tap. The episode illuminates Ozark Beer Company's commitment to authenticity, local engagement, and creating a gathering place that extends beyond the brewing of beer. Optimized with SEO keywords like "craft beer," "sustainable brewing," and "community-focused brewery," these summaries encapsulate the brand's mission and the personal touch that Lacie brings to her work.Key Takeaways:Ozark Beer Company is deeply rooted in the local community of Northwest Arkansas, reflecting the region's values and culture through its brewery and taproom.The brewing philosophy at Ozark is grounded in traditional styles while remaining responsive to emerging trends and community preferences.Sustainability is key for Ozark Beer Company, from the use of cans due to their recyclability to partnerships for grain repurposing and storm drain education.The brewery was strategically established in an area known for welcoming new laws favorable for breweries, post-dry county status, and enhancing the local craft beer scene.Ozark Beer Company actively creates a gathering space for the community, hosting events, partnering with local organizations, and emphasizing local support through its small yet impactful team.All this and more on this episode of the I Am Northwest Arkansas podcast.Important Links and Mentions on the Show*Email Lacie BrayWebsite for Ozark Beer CompanyOzark Beer Company on FacebookOzark Beer Company on InstagramTune in to KUAF 91.3 FM to listen to the I Am Northwest Arkansas
On this episode we sit down with the owners and marketing of Ozark Beer Co. This is a true behind the scenes look at how to become a successful small business owner/operator and some secrets that most businesses never find.We dive deep into our guests youth and early soul searching. The mentors and memories that have carried them to this point. Some of the cool things we touch on is the calibration with the Smithsonian in development of a new beer. The first successful reverse vasectomy. Simple brands and humanity.The art of negotiation and a 30sec deal.This episode is jammed with great stuff.We know you will like it even if you don't like beer.
This episode we find ourselves in Denver, Colorado at the Denver Rare Beer Tasting. We are joined by Rick Lyke, founder of Pints for Prostates, Sam Calagione from Dogfish Head, Jim Koch from Boston Beer Company, Gary Glass from Left Hand Brewing and Teddy Pepper from Ozark Beer Company.
About the Show: Olivia Trimble is Uniting Northwest Arkansas and Beyond Through Love and Art We recently sat down with Olivia Trimble, Artist, and Owner of https://www.sleetcity.com/ (Sleet City Art and Supplies) in Fayetteville. Olivia is the daughter of https://www.instagram.com/snodgrasssigns/?hl=en (Eric Snodgrass), and she is a second-generation sign painter. You may be more familiar with her artwork as she has done many murals and signs throughout Northwest Arkansas. She did the “Love Your Neighbor” and “Love Unites Us” murals and signs for https://www.pinkhousealchemy.com/ (Pink House Alchemy), https://www.experiencefayetteville.com/ (Experience Fayetteville), and several signs for https://www.ozarkbeercompany.com/ (Ozark Beer Company). Several of Olivia's murals are now yard signs seen throughout NWA. You can check out all of https://oliviatrimble.art (Olivia's hand-painted signs and murals right HERE). Olivia is not only impacting Northwest Arkansas with her signs and murals, but she has taken her show on the road to the Delta, where she won an award to help with Rural Placemaking through art in Eudora, AR, and Fox, AR. These are two communities in need of public art, and Olivia will do a collaborative public art project with several local artists. Olivia also talks about her partnership with the folks from https://www.mytbydesign.com/ (My T By Design), Lakisha Bradley and Stacy Harper, for the https://m.facebook.com/Light-House-Solutions-258443104655791/ (Graffiti Feeds) program. Olivia is profoundly inspirational, and we are thankful for our time with her doing this podcast. Take a listen; you can see what we are talking about yourself. All of this and more on this week's episode of the I am Northwest Arkansas Podcast. All this and more on this episode of the I am Northwest Arkansas podcast. Important Links and Mentions on the Show*: Olivia Trimble Email https://www.sleetcity.com/ (Olivia Trimble Website) https://oliviatrimble.art/ (Olivia Trimble hand-painted signs and murals Website) https://www.instagram.com/sleetcity/?hl=en (Sleet City Art & Supplies Instagram) https://www.facebook.com/SleetCitySignwriting (Sleet City Art & Supplies Facebook) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0QSFO-ij4_Y (Sleet City Art & Supplies YouTube) https://www.instagram.com/snodgrasssigns/?hl=en (Eric Snodgrass) https://www.pinkhousealchemy.com/ (Pink House Alchemy) https://www.experiencefayetteville.com/ (Experience Fayetteville) https://www.ozarkbeercompany.com/ (Ozark Beer Company) https://www.mytbydesign.com/ (My-T-By-Design Website) https://m.facebook.com/Light-House-Solutions-258443104655791/ (Light House Solutions Facebook) This episode is sponsored by*: https://www.signature.bank/ (Signature Bank of Arkansas) - https://www.signature.bank/ (Signature Bank) was founded here in Northwest Arkansas in 2005 and focuses on personal and community banking. When you bank with a community bank, you're investing in local businesses, local entrepreneurs, local charities, and the causes close to home. They have worked hard to earn their tagline, “Community Banking at its Best.” You may ask why bank at Signature? Because they focus on the customer instead of having a branch on every corner, you can have your questions answered by a real person, whether you're reaching out to the call center or your banker's cell phone. You can access any ATM in the country without fear of a fee. They will refund all of those fees at the end of every month. Finally, they are constantly improving their digital offerings to ensure you can access the best financial tools from your laptop, phone, or tablet 24 hours a day. Signature Bank of Arkansas is a full-service bank offering traditional checking and savings accounts, investment accounts, business and personal loans, and mortgages. Give the folks at...
Andy Coates brings us up to date on hazy beers, small batch blended barrels, and new gear at Ozark.
This week we discuss our trip to Northwest Arkansas to Natural State Beer Company, Ozark Beer Company, and Ivory Bill Brewing Company. We also have updates on some new taprooms, collaborations, and more! Check out our site Instagram Facebook YouTube
In the first of our podcast’s Origin series, we explore Drew’s home state of Arkansas in a most excellent fashion - a side by side tasting of Arkansas Bourbon Barrel Aged stouts with a “point of reference” using Founder’s Kentucky Breakfast Stout. In addition to a great beer lineup, we’ll break down Arkansas beer politics, touch on the growing craft beer scene in the state, and share a few memories from Drew’s early days. Featured Bourbon Barrel Aged Stouts: BDCS (2020). Ozark Beer Company, Rogers, AR. 10.2% ABV.Lord God (2020). Flyway Brewing, Little Rock, AR. 10.1% ABV.Nighty Night (2019). Lost Forty Brewing, Little Rock, AR. 11.5% ABV.Kentucky Breakfast Stout (KBS). Founders Brewing Company, Grand Rapids, MI. 12% ABV. The “Pre-game” BeerChicken and Dumplins. East Sixth Brewing Company, Little Rock, AR. Hazy IPA. 5.8% ABV. Other Shout-Outs:Lost Forty Brewing. Little Rock, AR - Winner of the best mid sized craft brewery at the Great American Beer Festival!Fort Smith Brewing Company. Fort Smith, ARBeer Geeks of Arkansas - Facebook group for Arkansas craft beer loversHarry Potter (lol) On every episode, we rate beers on a scale from 0-5, 5 being the highest. Follow Beering Ain’t Easy on Facebook or Instagram, email us at beeringainteasy@gmail.com, or follow our beer quest on Untappd, usernames BeeringAintEasyAdam and BeeringAintEasyDrew.
This week we are chatting about where to find the best barbecue, what to see in local music with a unique show at George's and a local fundraising event, what to do at 8th Street Market and where to find local brewery tours, plus two new hot spots opening soon in Rogers.Have a question that you want us to look into on the podcast or interested in advertising? Visit leisurlist.com/podcastThanks to our sponsors for this week's episode, Urban Forest Axe House and Anastasia at the Walton Arts Center (on stage March 10-15).Places mentioned in the podcast:What to Eat/Drink: Wright's Barbecue - https://leisurlist.com/feed/venue/wrights-barbecue/detailsTyler's Craft BBQ - https://leisurlist.com/feed/venue/tylers-craft-bbq/detailsSauced - https://leisurlist.com/feed/venue/sauced/detailsRockin' Pig Saloon Eureka Springs - https://leisurlist.com/feed/venue/rockin-pig-saloon/details and Rogers - https://leisurlist.com/feed/venue/rockin-pig-saloon-rogers/detailsWhat to See:An Homage to the Police - https://leisurlist.com/feed/event/an-homage-to-the-police-280220-155626/detailsStarlight Gala featuring Granger Smith - https://leisurlist.com/feed/event/2020-starlight-gala/detailsWhat to Do:Brewery Tours:New Province Brewing Company - https://www.facebook.com/events/2705669362817326/Ozark Beer Company - https://www.ozarkbeercompany.com/shop-1/brewery-tour-amp-tasting?fbclid=IwAR2tpHR7H1qPLVLMHjnFj0PeAhTLM0ihsOVrD-7nodzWZeRQ_VrE7enxz8cSaddlebock Brewery - https://leisurlist.com/feed/venue/saddlebock-brewery/detailsFayetteville Ale Trail - https://fayettevillealetrail.com/Best Breweries In Northwest Arkansas - https://leisurlist.com/feed/article/best-breweries-in-northwest-arkansas/details8th Street Market - https://leisurlist.com/feed/venue/8th-street-market/detailsWhat's New:Walk-On's Bistreaux - https://www.facebook.com/walkonsrogersTop Golf - https://topgolf.com/us/rogers-arkansas/
In this episode of the Chamber Voice of Business Podcast, the Rogers-Lowell Area Chamber of Commerce is on site at Ozark Beer Company for a Hustle In Heels pop-up brewery tour. The episode features an interview with Lacie Bray, co-Owner of OBC, during which she talks about the experiences and challenges she faces being a female in a male-dominated field.
The former head brewer at Ozark Beer Company talks about why he shifted his career path toward a smaller place and shares beers and tips.
Ozark Beer Company’s marketing and event manager Marty Shutter talked with us about focusing on sustainability as the brewery has grown rapidly in the last 3 years. He shares details on Ozark Beer’s involvement with local charities, producing his 20th music album and bringing the alphabet to life by illustrating a children’s book. Hey Hey NWA is a podcast that highlights the arts, businesses, initiatives, and culture of Northwest Arkansas through conversational interviews with locals. Looking for some more content like this? Read our blog at heyheynwa.com/blog Follow us on Facebook at facebook.com/heyheynwa Keep up with us on Instagram at @heyheynwapodcast Support us on Patreon at patreon.com/heyheynwa
Lacie Bray is a co-founder and business manager at Ozark Beer Company. She is originally from Rogers, Arkansas, but left the area after college. She returned in 2010 by way of raft guiding in the Rockies, teaching in Chicago, and a stint gardening in South America. Her diverse background has equipped her with the invaluable skills of perseverance, a positive outlook, and creative problem solving. All of which serve her well in running Ozark Beer Co. Her favorite adventures these days involve her 18 month old son. To learn more about the brewery or get in touch with Lacie, visit www.ozarkbeercompany.com. Ozark Beer Company is a manufacturing brewery located in Rogers, Arkansas. We opened the doors to the public in November 2013. Our beer is available at over 125 locations throughout Benton and Washington County as well as our tasting room at the brewery. In the Ozarks, hard work makes honest people, and here at Ozark Beer Co, hard work makes honest beer. We are rooted in a deep tradition of independent, spirited people who live their lives with a resilience and humility rarely seen anywhere else. In these mountains and at OBC, hard work isn't what we do, it is who we are. Jeff Amerinewww.orici.iowww.startupjunkieconsulting.comjeff@startupjunkieconsulting.comJon Cadieuxwww.455mediagroup.comwww.bentonvilleworkplace.comjon@455mediagroup.com
James heads to formerly dry Benton County, Arkansas, with Andy Sparks to visit with Andy Coates of Ozark Beer Company and sample some homebrews.