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

Some of the newest members of the Fayetteville Ale Trail include Fayetteville Beer Works, Mad Rooster Beer Co. and Orthodox Farmhouse Brewery – all in or near Fayetteville. While there are signals of distress in the nationwide brewing industry, the people behind these new ventures are confident that success can still be found in Northwest Arkansas.

Brewer Peter Etges takes a sample out of a fermentor at Fayetteville Beer Works.

Fayetteville Beer Works (2649 E. Mission Blvd #1, Fayetteville) is unique in the way it approaches beer-making. Co-owner Brian O’Connell, formerly of Renegade Brewing Co. in Denver, and brewmaster Peter Etges handle hot-side wort production across town at Fossil Cove Brewing Co. The wort is then shipped in bulk containers to Fayetteville Beer Works and fermented there. Finished beer is dispensed through European-style faucets directly connected to serving tanks behind the bar.

O’Connell was quick to join the Fayetteville Ale Trail after opening Fayetteville Beer Works, noting how easy organizers made it for breweries to participate. “We were part of a similar program back in Denver,” he said. “But we were required to pay to be included and had to offer a discount on our beer. I asked how much it costs for a brewery to be a part of the Fayetteville Ale Trail and was told our fees would be covered. That was both unexpected and amazing to hear!”

Being a veteran of the beer industry, O’Connell is conscious of potential challenges his new brewery faces. Prices for ingredients, supplies and labor are increasing at a rapid pace, and growing competition makes success a goal, not a guarantee. Still, he sees Northwest Arkansas – and east Fayetteville in particular – as fertile ground for beermakers.

“The east side of town was lacking in hospitality options, overall,” said O’Connell. “I thought we could cater to east Fayetteville and make our taproom a gathering place for the community and not just a beer destination.” Craft breweries are generally thought to be welcoming places. They aren’t as rowdy as the typical bar, so people often feel comfortable bringing their children along with them. “That’s what we are aiming for with Fayetteville Beer Works,” said O’Connell. “Everyone is welcome here.” 

Brian Sorensen visits with Eric-Hahn, owner, at Mad Rooster Beer Co. in Fayetteville.

Mad Rooster Beer Co. (1107 S. West Ave, Fayetteville) is, for the moment, the southernmost stop on the Fayetteville Ale Trail. The brewery opened in a former machine shop, which maintains its muscular form following an impressive remodel. Brothers Eric and Jeremy Hahn and partners Brian Miller, Rob Sheverbush and Eric Wolfe are the owners.

Jeremy Hahn is the brewmaster and he brings plenty of experience to the job, having spent the past few years making beer at Excalibur Brewing Co. in Spring, Texas. He continues to brew at both places, traveling back and forth to keep fermentors full.

Eric Hahn said before the brewery opened, he enjoyed using the Razorback Greenway to visit breweries by bike. He sees benefits to being located close to the multi-use trail. “We aren’t directly on the trail here at Mad Rooster, but we are only a quarter-mile away. It definitely brings people in the door.”

For now, Mad Rooster is focused on building taproom sales and creating a loyal clientele. The brewery is in a growing part of Fayetteville that has seen a significant increase in population density in recent years. Students from the University of Arkansas live close by, as do families and older adults in established neighborhoods that surround the brewery. Food trucks and an abundance of big screen TVs make the taproom a comfortable place for Mad Rooster’s neighbors to hang out.

Mad Rooster plans to send beer to outside accounts at some point soon. However, the owners want to be methodical with their approach so they avoid the potential pitfalls. “We are ready to get distribution going,” said Hahn. “But we want to make sure we are ready for the demand before we do it. You only get one chance to get it right.”

Orthodox Farmhouse Brewery (15660 Ball Rd, Goshen) is a bit off the beaten path. Located 20 minutes east of Fayetteville in a rural community, it isn’t an easy commute. Still, scores of visitors find refuge from the hectic pace of city life in its taproom, on its porch or on the lawn that stretches across the peaceful countryside. Business has been steady since Orthodox opened in April 2023.

Orthodox is technically located in the Goshen planning district but has an Elkins address.  Owners Ashlyn and Jesse Gagon live and work on the property, and they consider themselves to be a “Washington County brewery” to stave off the confusion. Jesse Gagnon previously brewed for West Mountain and Ozark Beer, both members of the Fayetteville Ale Trail. Putting Orthodox in the passport was a no-brainer for him.

Guests enjoy mild weather while seated outside at Orthodox Farmhouse Brewery in Fayetteville.

“We didn’t have to debate joining the Fayetteville Ale Trail,” he said. “I feel like it’s an idea based on making breweries destinations, and we are a brewery that requires people to see us as a destination -- unless you live right here on our road, which not many people do.”

The renovated barn that houses the brewery and taproom was meticulously rebuilt by Gagnon and a crew of friends and neighbors. The seven-barrel brewhouse produces Belgian-inspired beers that are elegant in their simplicity. Thus far, a Belgian white ale seems to be the strongest contender for Orthodox’s flagship beer.

The vibe at Orthodox is reminiscent of simpler times. The Gagnons want to highlight the importance of the agrarian way of life with their efforts. Hard work and caring about the land and its history are principles they hold dear. They both hope to see their little brewery become a place for the people of Goshen to come gather and celebrate their collective past.

“Things are changing in Northwest Arkansas very quickly,” said Jesse Gagnon. “We don’t ever want to lose sight of the things that got us to where we are today. That’s why we poured so much of ourselves into this place.”