Rendezvous Junction Brewing Co. - Mike Peerson & Ken Warden

Welcome to this week’s edition of the Flavors of Northwest Arkansas podcast, I’m John Engleman, thanks for being here! This week, we’re at one of the most popular breweries in our area, Rendezvous Junction Brewing Company in Rogers where we’re talking with Founder and Owner Mike Peerson and Head Brewer and COO Kenny Warden, but before we get to them?!?

(*FOOD NEWS*)

• Mallory Files of the Ozark Charcuterie and Wine Bar BREAKS NEWS WITH US!!
• The Cellar on B Street opened last weekend
• Top Chef NWA took place on Saturday. We’ll hear from the winner!
• Sugar Llama’s opened over the weekend in downtown Rogers. We’ll hear about their journey!
• Happy Anniversary to El Rey Bar and Grill and Pleasant Counter!
• We’ll tell you all about Bistro 16’s wine dinner and how you can score free tickets!
• The iconic Herman’s Ribhouse is for sale. We’ll hear why.
• The soon-to-open Sestina at the soon-to-open Compton Hotel in the Bentonville Square has named their chef!
• Sassafras Springs Winery has a gorgeous new spot on their premises
• The Dumont Creamery opened their doors in Bentonville this weekend
• Wright’s Barbecue’s Johnson location is close... VERY close to being done.

Mike Peerson didn’t start Rendezvous Junction at their current location. In fact, it started at the old Foster’s Pint and Plate in Rogers... Of course, Foster’s closed and that left them without a home and without folks to drink their beer. Who bought it during that time? We’ve interviewed them on here, so it won’t be a surprise to many of you. In fact, Mike ended up taking one of his employees and now he’s the head brewer and COO of the company, Ken Warden, who we’ll be talking to as well. Mike and Ken will tell us how they got into beer, the successes and failures, and Mike talks about dying. Yes, he’s officially died and been brought back. Some great stories- thanks for being with us here on the Flavors of Northwest Arkansas!