Craft beer industry going strong in Arkansas

By the numbers: About 71,520 barrels of beer were produced in Arkansas in 2025, compared to about 69,760 in 2024, a 2.5% increase, Brewers Association spokesperson Ann Obenchain told Axios.

• Nationally, craft beer production decreased by 5.1%, according to a report from the association.
• The state had 56 breweries in 2025, and they had a $538 million economic impact, according to the association.

Reality check: The association previously published that 53,696 barrels were produced in Arkansas in 2024, but later learned that was underreported, Obenchain said in an email.

• "Updates shared by breweries or publicly available new information can shift these figures after the publication date," she wrote.

Context: Arkansas' beer industry is likely growing more than other states in part because it has more room to grow, Lacie Bray, former president of the Arkansas Brewers Guild, previously told Axios.

• Operating breweries has historically been illegal in much of Arkansas because of dry counties.

What they're saying: A brewery, The Rogue Roundabout, opened three years ago in Conway in a dry county, and public reception has been positive, owner and Arkansas Brewers Guild president Chris Smith told Axios, noting he strives for a family-friendly atmosphere.

• Breweries have only been able to get permits to operate in dry counties since 2019 and still have restrictions, like not being able to sell their beer at festivals in other counties or to restaurants, he said.

• The state legislature in 2025 passed a law allowing breweries in dry counties to advertise online.
• A few larger craft breweries in Arkansas have started helping produce beer for smaller breweries, which could be contributing to the increase in production, Smith said.

What's next: The industry will likely pursue more changes to the law during the legislative session next year, Smith said.