Earlier this year, AY Media Group reported that a dog-friendly brewery would be opening in Little Rock at 900 E. 9th Street. Yesterday, AY attended the groundbreaking ceremony for this brewing concept.
Southern Tail Brewing is a new Little Rock project intended to take up 11,000 square feet at 900 E. Ninth Street, according to public records. The President of Southern Dog Holdings LLC is Brent Cryder, according to a business license from the Arkansas Secretary of State’s office. The property, which was formerly a Mr. Suds Detailing carwash, is owned by Southern Dog Holdings LLC out of Little Rock. The company also owns properties at 910 E. 9th Street and 924 E. 9th Street.
Brent and Tracy Cryder are experienced brewers and fermenters who have even competed for brewer of the year with Central Arkansas Fermenters in years past.
“We love Arkansas, and we love dogs – and when the opportunity to combine that with our passion for brewing arose, it was the perfect recipe,” Brent Cryder explained in a previous interview. “We seek to provide a welcoming place to eat, drink and play that serves exceptional craft beverages for everyone. Whether you love beer, wine or non-alcoholic drinks, we’re creating the perfect balance of creativity and precision. We’re passionate about dogs and cats, and we will use a portion of proceeds to support local Arkansas animal charities.”
“Tracy and I set out to do this a while ago. Our dream has always been to make great beer, great food and include a charity component of saving as many animals as we can. That will always be our priority. We are really, really happy to finally be here and throw some dirt here today,” said Cryder at yesterday’s ceremony.
Van Tilbury, the President and CEO of East Harding Construction, who is working on the brewery’s creation, spoke at yesterday’s ceremony.
“We have been working with Brent and Tracy for a long period of time to get to today,” Tilbury said. “We’re thrilled to play a part in bringing a brewery like this to this neighborhood and to be looking at a building pad and turning the dirt today.”
Southern Tail Brewing was also made possible through the help of the Arkansas Federal Credit Union and was designed by OPA Design Studios, an architectural firm out of Austin, Texas. OPA Design Studios Project Manager Todd Hutchinson spoke on the brewery’s construction.
“It’s so exciting to participate in the creation of a space of celebration,” Hutchinson said. “People will gather here to celebrate, just like we’re doing today. This is a unique gathering space for this neighborhood.”
“Many of you know that this was always going to be about Hanger Hill in this East Village area. It was always the heart of where we wanted to be,” said Southern Tail Brewing co-owner Tracy Cryder. “We were delayed by COVID, but that gave us time to reflect on how important this is — to provide a place to gather with the community alongside our four-legged best friends. We are so grateful for the next year of building.”
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