Pitcher of Bottom Feeder Lager on Arkansas Times Publisher Alan Leveritt’s tab.
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Vino’s all new Bottom Feeder Lager, brewed to celebrate the Arkansas Times’ 50th anniversary, isn’t as murky as it sounds. It’s delightfully crisp, clean and palatable for a table full of suits at happy hour or a band of train-hopping punks pre-gaming before their set. It also goes great with a couple of slices of cheese with a side of marinara.
Named after the Arkansas Times enduring catfish newspaper icon, Vino’s head brewer Brian Youngblood decided to use lager yeast because it behaves like a true bottom feeder, fermenting at the lower depths (ale yeast rises to the top) during the brewing process.
A gaggle of Arkansas Times staffers popped over for a pitcher after work on Friday to try and put the stress of the work week behind us ahead of a much-needed three-day weekend. Culture editor Daniel Grear found the beer somewhere between a Bud Light and a Shiner Bock. I was blown away with his analysis. Editor Austin Gelder firmly stated that he was incorrect, but offered no better comparison.
Delicious news to share about Bottom Feeder Lager, a perfect brew created especially for @ArkTimes 50th birthday. We tested it today and can report it’s delish. Go to @VinosBrewPubLR immediately and glug a pitcher or two. pic.twitter.com/AzKwEafvQf
— The Indoctrinatrix (@gelderbailey) August 31, 2024
It certainly tastes like a lager with more of a bite than ubiquitous mass-produced beers, but with a similar clean finish. It’s fairly strong, too, at 5.8% alcohol by volume.
Youngblood described it as “crushable” and easy to drink.
“What do you think, Milo?” I said to new Arkansas Times reporter Milo Strain.
“It’s got a little something going on,” he said.
Genius.
Speaking of anniversaries, last year was the 30th since the legendary pizza joint/music venue at 7th and Chester streets began brewing beer. Some self-proclaimed pale ale “authorities” from this publication showed up to try it in 1993 and declared the now-classic beer to be “OK.”
“It’s insipid. It still far outstrips 90% of American beers, but as a gourmet brew it leaves much to be desired,” we snipped. Thirty years later, Vino’s Firehouse Pale Ale is still going strong, and we’re eating our words over pitchers of Bottom Feeder Lager, just happy that we’re both still around to celebrate despite the odds.
Try Bottom Feeder Lager on draft today. Proceeds go to Vino’s.