What's Up - Your guide to what's happening in Fayetteville, AR this week!
Issue link: http://www.epageflip.net/i/1437828
featured dining guide story Advertorial Feature special to Northwest arkaNsas Democrat-Gazette 42 What's up! december 19-25, 2021 Beyond the brew Bentonville Brewing Company is building the craft beer community in Benton County F or more than six years, Bentonville Brewing Company has been committed to producing authentic and unique beers that push the boundaries of ordinary brewing styles and categories. "We opened up our tap room in June of 2015," notes Katie Boykin, COO and co-owner of Bentonville Brewing Company. "But we had started brewing in February of that year so we would be ready with our own craft beers when we opened to the public." Located in the heart of Bentonville, this state-of-the-art brewery facility and spacious taproom is equipped with 24 taps that include their year-round, seasonal, and experimental beers. "We brew all of our own beer," Katie continues. "We also have a hard seltzer which we make in house. You can actually see the brew house and the equipment through a glass garage door in the tap room. You can see them brewing and canning. We feel it brings the customer closer to the product they are drinking. Of course, we have lots of TVs inside, too, so you can watch the Hogs as you enjoy your beverage." Attached to the tap room is a giant beer garden…and so much more. "Something that was very important to us was making beer very approachable and creating a community gathering place," Katie points out. "So, we have a nice, bright spacious tap room, a patio—some of it covered— with fans for the summer and heaters for when it's colder outside. Our beer garden has a stage for live music. We also have space for pop-up tents for other local businesses. We have an outdoor bar we open up on the weekends so you don't even have to go inside if you don't want to or if you brought your pets with you." And speaking of pets, Bentonville Brewing Company has a fenced in, onsite dog park for their pet-owning customers. They also have a kids area where children can play, as well as an indoor nook with games, toys, coloring and wall puzzles. "We really have a little bit of something for everybody," Katie notes. "We never want to have our customers feel that they have to choose between spending time with their significant other and the kids having to get a sitter. We want them to know that everyone is welcome here. We are right next to Osage Park, too, so you have access to all of the park amenities." And if you're hungry, there's an onsite German restaurant called The Burg. "We sublease the kitchen to them," Katie notes. "They serve German pub food with a high-south twist. Burgers, potato pancakes, sausages, plus a great kids menu. They are open every day except Monday." If German pub food isn't your thing, the Bentonville Brewing Company also has food trucks on the premises. They current offerings are a Hibachi Asian food truck, a Mexican food truck and a beignet food truck. But the main attraction remains their unique selection of craft beer. Beau Boykin, Katie's husband and co-owner of the brewery, is the head brewer. "Beau did some home brewing before and is essentially self-taught," she boasts. "I think more than anything he is a maker of things. He loves to bake bread from scratch, grow mushrooms and make cheeses and cider. He has a chemistry background and is just a really good balance of artist and scientist. He's always been great at picking out flavors and making them work."