Let's Eat: Natural State Beer wins gold medal | Heroes opens Rogers coffee shop | Food, beer festivals are on the way

FILE -- Natural State Beer Company recently won a gold medal at the 2021 Great American Beer Festival competition in Denver, Co. Its taproom is located at 5214 W. Village Pkwy. in Rogers.
FILE -- Natural State Beer Company recently won a gold medal at the 2021 Great American Beer Festival competition in Denver, Co. Its taproom is located at 5214 W. Village Pkwy. in Rogers.

Welcome to your new source of restaurant news in Northwest Arkansas. Every Friday, we'll highlight what's new, what's gone and what's good in the region's rising food scene.

This week, we have a pair of Rogers breweries getting recognized, some new places to eat and drink, a few upcoming tasting events across the region and more.

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Natural State Beer Company won an award at the 2021 Great American Beer Festival competition in Denver, Co.

The Rogers-based microbrewery was given a gold medal Sept. 10 for its Miabock in the Bock beer category.

"This is a huge honor," said Mark Smith, the company's president. "We are beyond thrilled to be taking this medal home to Northwest Arkansas."

Judges in the contest evaluated 9,680 entries from over 2,000 breweries across the United States and Puerto Rico, according to a news release.

The annual competition is held by the Brewers Association and its awards are "among the most coveted in the industry," the festival's website says.

Natural State's taproom is located at 5214 W. Village Pkwy. at Village on the Creeks.

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A reviews website recently named Ozark Beer Co. among the top breweries of the southeast United States.

In the list, Rave Reviews ranked Ozark No. 24 in the region according to scores in five categories: nostaglia, popularity, scarcity, cult and destination.

"Their four year-round beers are Ozark Cream Stout, Lager, American pale ale, and Ozark IPA," Heather Ryerson writes on the website. "But even though they've perfected these regular favorites, they still enjoy experimenting with their small-batch brews throughout the year."

Founded in 2013, Ozark is located in downtown Rogers. Its beer is available in stores and bars throughout Arkansas.

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Ozark Mountain Bagel Truck held a grand opening Sunday at Fayetteville's Yacht Club on College.

"Authentic New York-style bagels" are baked fresh every day and available at 617 N. College Ave. from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tuesdays through Fridays and 7 a.m. to sell out on Saturdays and Sundays, according to the business' website.

However, the truck will be closed this Sunday for a private event, it said in a social media post.

The truck represents an expansion of the Bentonville-based Ozark Mountain Bagel Co. into Washington County.

The company has two brick and mortar stores in Bentonville.

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Heroes Coffee opened a second location in Rogers earlier this month.

The coffee shop is at 5102 W. Pauline Whitaker Pkwy. in the ONE Uptown development, a three-story multi-use property in Pinnacle Hills.

Customers can stop by from 6:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. Mondays through Fridays and 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays, according to its website.

Heroes also launched their fall drink menu, which includes pumpkin cold brew with cold foam, caramel apple cider and pumpkin spice latte.

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A few chain restaurants have opened in Northwest Arkansas as well.

In Springdale, Firehouse Subs began welcoming customers last month at 4914 Elm Springs Rd.

The sandwich chain's website says the location is open from 10:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. every day.

North in Centerton, Moe's Southwest Grill opened Sept. 2 at 580 E. Centerton Blvd.

Patrons can enjoy chips and salsa free with any meal there from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily, according to the Tex Mex chain's website.

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The Natural State Beer Co. Oktoberfest Fundraiser will take place Saturday at Village on the Creeks in Rogers.

The outdoor beer festival will include offerings from 12 breweries, including local companies like Bentonville Brewing, Bike Rack Brewing and Black Apple Cider, in addition to live music, games and prizes.

A general admission ticket can be bought for $80 at eventbrite.com.

All proceeds will support local organizations NWA Food Bank, Children's Advocacy Center of Benton Co. and Autism Involves Me.

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The annual BITE NW Arkansas food festival will return this year as the BITE Experience at the Walmart NW Arkansas Championship in Rogers.

It'll take place Friday, Sept. 24 through Sunday, Sept. 26, at the Pinnacle Country Club.

BITE Experience ticketholders will have access to tournament grounds in addition to four viewing decks and food and beverage samples from local restaurants, according to the festival's website.

While Saturday is already sold out, BITE tickets for Friday or Sunday are still available for $45 before tax.

Each day will feature different eateries.

Friday's lineup includes Havana Tropical Grill, Pressroom, McClard's Bar-B-Q, Fox Trail Distillery, Bentonville Brewing and more.

Sunday's roster features drinks from Lost Forty Brewing, the Foreman and Black Apple Brewing as well as food from Fred's Hickory Inn, Berretto, Tula and more.

The viewing decks will open at 9 a.m. each morning.

Visit bitenwa.com for more information.

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Theo's in Fayetteville is hosting a seven-course dinner on Oct. 5.

The South by Northwest Chef's Tasting Dinner will feature chefs from Theo's Fayetteville, Theo's Rogers, East Side Grill and Southern Food Co.

Wine and cocktail pairings for each course will be chosen by the restaurants' bar managers.

Seating will begin at 6:30 p.m. with limited seating at 318 N. Campbell Ave.

Tickets can be bought online for $150 person before tax and gratuity at Resy.com.

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The area where people can enjoy alcoholic drinks outside the boundaries of downtown Fayetteville's bars and restaurants will expand in 2022.

The Fayetteville City Council voted 7-1 in a Sept. 7 meeting to move the boundary of the city's outdoor refreshment area and remove its April 2024 expiration date.

People will be able to carry their drinks along the nearby portion of the Razorback Greenway, at the Fay Jones woods and on the trail leading to Specialized Real Estate's South Yard development.

Construction of the cultural arts corridor at the Fay Jones woods is scheduled to be done by the time the expansion goes into effect in the spring.

Restaurant tenants at South Yard should be ready to open by fall, said Sarah King, spokeswoman for Specialized Real Estate Group.

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Southern Food Co. in Fayetteville closed briefly last month to build a new bar at 3575 W. Wedington Dr.

It reopened with the interior renovations Aug. 26, according to a social media post.

In addition to breakfast, lunch and desserts, the restaurant is offering happy hour specials from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. today.

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At Hail Fellow Well Met in Springdale, patrons no longer have to make reservations unless they have a party of six or larger.

The new cafe and market by Onyx Coffee Lab continues its soft opening near Johnson from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesdays through Sundays while also serving brunch from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays.

The hours and the menu will continue to change periodically, the cafe posted on Instagram.

"While we serve much of what you have come to love at Onyx we don't serve everything, but have expanded in other areas. Treat us as your neighborhood coffee shop, wine bar, or elevated food experience."

Well Met's outdoor bar, which is open from 6 to 10 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, is offering up wine, cocktails and coffee as well.

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Ivory Bill Brewing Co. in Siloam Springs announced extended hours earlier this week.

The brewery at 516 E. Main St. posted Monday on social media that they will be open from 4 to 9 p.m. Mondays through Fridays, 2 to 9 p.m. Saturdays and 2 to 6 p.m. Sundays.

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Has a restaurant recently opened or closed near you? Does your favorite spot have a new menu? Let us know. Email us at [email protected].

Courtesy photo -- Natural State Beer Company head brewer Will Sonneman, brewer Ryan Smith, and president Mark Smith accept a gold medal award for the Rogers microbrewery's Miabock during the Great American Beer Festival's Sept. 10 awards ceremony in Denver, Co.
Courtesy photo -- Natural State Beer Company head brewer Will Sonneman, brewer Ryan Smith, and president Mark Smith accept a gold medal award for the Rogers microbrewery's Miabock during the Great American Beer Festival's Sept. 10 awards ceremony in Denver, Co.

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