Arkansas’ first production brewery, Diamond Bear Brewing Company was founded in Little Rock by Russ and Sue Melton in September of 2000. Russ is an Arkansas native and first realized his passion for discovering regional beers while serving in the Army and living in Bavaria, Germany for many years. When he returned home, Russ decided Arkansas was desperately in need of its own beer.

The name he decided on is as distinctive as the beer his family produces. Diamond Bear comes from the fact that Arkansas is the only state with a diamond mine and that Arkansas once had such a large bear population that it was known as the Bear State. Combined, these two Arkansas facts have created a unique and distinctly Arkansan name for the small family brewery.

The Diamond Bear craft beers are all produced in the old time honored traditional methods of European brewers, following the German Purity Law of 1516. This means Diamond Bear only uses true beer ingredients: water, hops, yeast and barley. Brewing it locally, and using strictly Arkansas water, means these beers are fresh and naturally flavorful.

Keeping it in the family, Russ and Sue hired nephew Jesse Melton for their Master Brewer, and their son Scott often helps around the brewery and assists with the bottling process. Together, they are building an award-winning brand, and continue striving to make the best beer possible from their all natural ingredients.