by Audrey Poff

When A-State kicks off its football season this year, there just might be a little more howlin’ from the stands than we’ve heard before.

In the late ’80s when my friends and I attended Arkansas State, no alcohol was allowed at the stadium. So, students often stayed “in the pines” during football games or had their girlfriend hide a flask in their purse since bags were never checked. It was a simpler time that did not require metal detectors or a clear bag policy.

Fast forward nearly 40 years. Not only is beer available for purchase at the stadium for those of minimum legal drinking age, A-State recently announced that Red Wolves Sports Properties has entered into an agreement with a Memphis brewery to launch “Howlin’ Red Wolves Pilsner” as the first official craft beer of A-State Athletics. There are several features that make this new venture unique.

• Blair Perry, co-founder and CEO of Memphis brewery Soul & Spirits, is an A-State alumna. Perry graduated from Arkansas State in 2004 and is ecstatic about the opportunity to create A-State Athletics first official craft beer 20 years after her graduation with the help of her partner and master brewer, Ryan Allen, and their team.

• During her time at A-State, Perry was a member of Alpha Gamma Delta sorority, was a cheerleader and was crowned Miss ASU while earning a Bachelor of Science degree in radio/television.

• The Howlin’ Red Wolves Pilsner is an American-style light lager made using Jonesboro grown rice alongside traditional pilsner malt to create a dry, easy-drinking and refreshing beer, making the beer as local and fresh as possible.

• Unique hand-selected hops were used in the brewing process to enhance the aroma, which also produces a hint of citrusy hop flavor, according to the brewery, crafting a modernization of the original American light lagered beer.

• The new craft beer will be available at A-State football, basketball and baseball games following its debut at Centennial Bank Stadium on Aug. 31.

•  Following its launch at the first home football game, Perry says the beer will soon be available at liquor stores in neighboring counties, as well as local restaurants and eateries across Northeast Arkansas.
•  Harvest Creative, the branding company for Soul & Spirits, created the design for the pilsner’s can art, which Perry says “screams” A-State when paired with a black can and black lid. Harvest Creative of Memphis is also owned by an A-State alum.

• Proceeds from the sales of Howlin’ Red Wolves Pilsner will benefit the Red Wolves Foundation.

Cheers to the Howlin’ Red Wolves Pilsner and all of those who made a collective effort to bring it to A-State. It’s a new season for the Red Wolves, and there’s a new beer in town. It’s officially time to HOWL and GROWL!