The Fayetteville Ale Trail Puts the Spotlight on 24 Breweries in Northwest Arkansas

There is more to Northwest Arkansas than beer, of course. With an approximate population of 575,000, there is plenty of demand for other goods, services and experiences. One of the most notable amenities is the vast network of bike trails that weave throughout the region. Mountain biking, road cycling and e-bikes have exploded in popularity over the past decade.

The Razorback Greenway is a 40-mile, multi-use paved trail that connects seven communities in Northwest Arkansas via bike trails and pedestrian walkways, providing easy access to local businesses as well as art and cultural centers.

“As the cycling culture has grown in Northwest Arkansas, many of the local breweries have served as a place for those communities to come together,” said King. The Razorback Greenway – a multi-use paved trail that extends 40+ miles from Fayetteville and through the other major cities – is the backbone of the area’s cycling infrastructure. Most breweries on the Fayetteville Ale Trail are accessible from the Greenway or one of its many spurs.

Dante Swanigan is a public relations intern at Experience Fayetteville. He hails from Marvell, Arkansas, a small town on the eastern side of the state. Seeing the synergies between the Fayetteville Ale Trail and the Razorback Greenway was eye-opening for the University of Arkansas student.

“I never would have thought to put biking and drinking beer together,” he said. “It seems like people would fall off their bikes after a couple of drinks! But it seems to be enjoyable for a lot of people. And they aren’t just doing it for the beer. It’s the company of friends and the journey itself for people who are experiencing the Fayetteville Ale Trail on a bike.”

Whether by bike, on foot or via ridesharing services, it’s almost impossible to see the entire Fayetteville Ale Trail in one trip. 24 stops in three counties is a tall order, even for the most highly motivated visitor. Now people with less time on their hands can also earn a prize. “We created an intermediate award based on what we call the ‘Fayetteville Flight’,” said King. “If you go to all nine breweries in Fayetteville and get your passport stamped at each stop, you get a logo koozie with a strap, which can come in handy on a hike or on a river.”

The surge in brewing activity in the state’s northwest corner is a culmination of many factors. Population growth, a booming economy and a growing appreciation for locally made products have all played a role. However, success isn’t guaranteed. Left to their own devices, many breweries might get lost in the crowd and fail to live up to their potential.

“A lot of our breweries are small and don’t have big marketing budgets,” said King. “They might not be discovered without a little help. That’s the role the Fayetteville Ale Trail plays for participating breweries. We serve as a road map to their taprooms and help them grow their businesses.”