I had an interesting e-mail in my inbox today from Libby Doss Lloyd with the Little Rock Convention and Visitors Bureau announcing a new program highlighting beer, wine and spirits tourism in the Greater Little Rock area. The program, called “Locally Labeled in Greater Little Rock,” is a bold attempt at bringing together our local breweries, Rock Town Distillery and the nascent Little Rock winemaking industry together under one umbrella so that folks from all around can find out what it means to drink and be merry here in the capital city. It’s a unique idea that seems a perfect fit for our close-knit food and drink scene.

“The popularity of the beverage tourism industry continue to expand,” Gretchen Hall, President and CEO of the LRCVB said in a press release. “Wine and ale trails are very common across the country. We created the Locally Labeled guide and passport to increase awareness regarding the unique collection of craft ale, wine and spirits in the Greater Little Rock area. Our new guide will promote these local establishments to visitors and residents, as we as provide an incentive to visit all locations.”

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To launch the program, the LRCVB, in partnership with the North Little Rock CVB, will hold an event on October 15 from 5:30 p.m.-7:30 p.m. at the River Market Pavilions. The free, public event will feature a special performance by Little Rock’s Amasa Hines, a 7-piece band known for their psychedelic Afro-futurism sound that formed in 2010. Locally Labeled participants, including Rock Town Distillery, BoBrook Farms, An Enchanting Evening Winery, Stone’s Throw, Lost Forty Brewing, Blue Canoe, Damgoode Pies, Diamond Bear and Vino’s will be around. Participants will have areas set up for sampling and some sales; guests must be 21 or older to attend.

During the event, folks can pick up a “passport” with information about all of the area’s local beverage makers, similar to what Northwest Arkansas has done with it’s Fayetteville Ale Trail. With this passport, though, there’s more than beer on offer—which means information about tons of fun things to do in the city.

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