Ozark Beer Company
In the beer-related "Official Size and Weight Newsletter" sent weekly by one of my Arkansas friends, John Wells, I learned about the Ozark Beer Company. Craft beer has come to the Ozarks, and John says the OCB is a good craft beer place:
[A]t Ozark Beer Co. . . . brewer Andy Coates is making some OUTSTANDING brews. Southern Living Magazine named Ozark the "Favorite Southern Craft Beer in the State of Arkansas" (June 2014 issue) and right now you'll not get an argument out of me. Their APA and Onyx Coffee Stout are just as good as they come, period, and I also had a taster of their Belgian Golden, IPA and Cream Stout and was very impressed with them all. I brought a 12-pack of the APA home with me but fear it's not going to see a very long life. Watch these guys.The photo above dates to when the brewers were just getting started, I reckon. But before they got started, the head brewer had some training:
Andy had an apprenticeship with Goose Island Beer Co. in Chicago, and was subsequently hired as a full-time brewer. He learned the ins and outs of a large-scale production brewery, and enjoyed cellar work and the finishing process of a beer (carbonating, and filtering the beer, so that it is ready to be packaged), recipe development, barrel aging, and sensory analysis. It was an invaluable experience that gave him the skillset needed to operate a successful brewing operation.Take some time to read their story. I wish I could visit this brewery and taste-test to see if it lives up to expectations, but maybe Cousin Bill can check it out . . .
Labels: Beer, Ozark Mountains
posted by Horace Jeffery Hodges @ 4:51 AM
9 comments
9 Comments:
Already accomplished but, there's some left in the offchance Cousin Bill wants to put in an application for the sensory analysis department.
Won't get rich though, currently the only days open are Mondays and half a Thursday.
The morning shift.
JK
Start small and grow . . .
(How were the brews?)
Jeffery Hodges
* * *
Yep, OBC is right here in my town off 1st Street about two blocks north of New Hope Road. I have been there and tried them all, not all in the same trip though! The Cream Stout is as smooth and robust as any stout I have had. Some of the eateries around town are carrying one or two of their brews as well. I hope they continue to be successful and stay around for a long time.
Jay
That's one of my links: OBC Story.
Jeffery Hodges
* * *
Thanks, Jay! You and Cousin Bill ought to meet for a brew sometime!
Jeffery Hodges
* * *
Would be happy to meet Bill any time. BTW....the brewery is not really in "downtown" Rogers as it is south of the downtown area by a mile or so. OBC is in an old tin building that I believe used to be an HVAC company in the past. There is no real sign telling anyone it is a brewery other than the OBC logo on the front of the building. Gravel praking lot with limited space but the effort to get in is worth it.
Jay
Well, let's wait for Bill's reply . . .
Jeffery Hodges
* * *
Jay, Let's meet sometime and enjoy a brew together....being's my "tipsy" allowance is rather limited, maybe "chugging" one might be better at one of the local eateries offering OBC's products. Jeff has my email address.
Bill
I'll send Jay your address.
Jeffery Hodges
* * *
Post a Comment
<< Home