Arkansas Alcoholic Beverage Market: Regulations, Statistics, Trends, and Wholesalers
Arkansas’s alcohol market occupies a strategic position in the South Central U.S. The state operates under a franchise framework, providing protections for distributors in their relationships with suppliers, and maintains strict regulations on retail outlets with limits on the number of liquor stores allowed in wet counties. While state law mandates that bars close by 2 AM, a few establishments like Midtown Billiards in Little Rock and Arlie Muck’s Tavern in Fort Smith have grandfathered permits allowing them to stay open until 5 AM.
Arkansas had an approximate population of 3 million people in 2023, with 2.2 million within the legal drinking age bracket. The state ranks 35th in distilled spirits consumption, with annual sales of approximately 2.1 million cases. The state’s alcohol industry features over 20 distillers, 20 wineries, and over 50 breweries, contributing to the market’s vibrancy and variety.
We’ve prepared a guide to the Arkansas market, which covers the following topics:
- Consumption trends
- The most popular alcohol categories
- Local guidelines
If you need help establishing your presence in Arkansas, provide your information below, and we’ll contact you to discuss how we can help.
Consumption Trends In Arkansas
Over the years, the state of Arkansas has seen significant growth in the spirits category, while wine and beer volumes have seen a dip. In the five year period from 2019-2023, spirits sales have grown at a 7.03% CAGR, while wine sales have experienced a -1.48% CAGR and beer volumes have dropped by -1.92% CAGR.
Arkansas Spirits Consumption from 2019-2023 by 9-Liter Cases
7.03% CAGR
Arkansas Wine Consumption from 2019-2023 by 9-Liter Cases
-1.48% CAGR
Arkansas Beer Consumption from 2019-2023 by 9-Liter Cases
-1.92% CAGR
Arkansas State Alcohol Licensing
Arkansas operates as an open state, meaning private entities handle the sale and distribution of alcoholic beverages under state regulation. The Arkansas Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) Division oversees all aspects of the industry, including licensing, enforcement, and regulatory compliance. Arkansas is also a franchise state, providing certain protections for distributors in their relationships with suppliers.
Common Licenses for Manufacturers in Arkansas
Spirits
- Liquor Manufacturer Permit – Authorizes the manufacture, sale, and transport of spirituous liquors to wholesalers, rectifiers, or for export.
- Rectifying Permit (optional) – Required for blending, flavoring, or bottling distilled spirits.
Wine
- Small Farm Winery License – Authorizes manufacturing, bottling, and selling wine. It also allows the bottling of wines produced by other licensed small farm wineries and permits sales to wholesalers or direct-to-consumer in wet areas.
- Import Permit for Blending – Required for importing wines to blend with Arkansas-grown wines.
Beer
- Beer Manufacturing Permit – Authorizes the manufacture of beer products containing less than 5% alcohol by volume and their sale to wholesalers, retailers, or consumers for off-premises consumption.
- Small Brewery License – Permits breweries to produce less than 45,000 barrels annually while allowing on-premises sales (tastings, tours) and wholesale distribution.
- Native Brewery License – For breweries producing less than 60,000 barrels annually, and enables broader distribution.
Arkansas State Alcohol Regulations
The state maintains specific requirements for brand registration. All alcohol brands must be registered with the Arkansas Alcoholic Beverage Control Division, with a registration fee of $15 per label. Labels and extensions must be renewed annually.
Price Posting in Arkansas
Price posting is not required in Arkansas.
Direct-to-Consumer Sales and Delivery
Arkansas has established comprehensive guidelines for direct-to-consumer sales and delivery. These vary by product category:
Wine Shipping and Sales
- Wine Shipping Permit: A winery licensed by Arkansas or its home state may ship wine directly to Arkansas consumers under strict guidelines:
- The winery must register with the Division and pay an annual registration fee of $25.00
- The consumer must be present at the winery to purchase wine for shipping and provide valid identification confirming they are 21 years of age or older
- Small Farm Winery Private-Resident Permit: Allows in-state or out-of-state Small Farm Wineries to ship wine to private residents without requiring the resident to have been physically present or made an in-person purchase at the winery
Beer and Spirits Sales
- Arkansas does not allow direct-to-consumer sales for spirits
- Beer manufacturers must sell through wholesalers
Retailer Delivery
- Holders of a retail liquor permit may deliver alcoholic beverages directly to the private residence of consumers 21 years of age or older
- Delivery must be made by an employee of the permit holder (no third-party delivery systems)
- Delivery is restricted to the same county where the permitted business is located
Arkansas Spirits Volume Sales By Category – 2023 Data
Spirit trends in Arkansas by volume and dollar sales in 2023.
| Category | Volume Sales 9-liter cases |
|---|---|
| Straight Whiskey | 369 |
| Canadian Whisky | 147 |
| Scotch whisky | 76 |
| Irish whiskey | 14 |
| Gin | 86 |
| Vodka | 332 |
| Rum | 80 |
| Tequila | 211 |
| Cordials/Liqueurs | 140 |
| Cocktails | 449 |
Source: Beverage Information Group
Arkansas Wine Volume Sales By Category – 2023 Data
Wine trends in Arkansas by volume and dollar sales in 2023.
| Category | Volume Sales 9-liter cases |
|---|---|
| Table | 1,163 |
| Wine Based RTD | 17 |
| Champagne & Sparkling | 31 |
| Dessert & Fortified | 60 |
Source: Beverage Information Group
Arkansas Beer Volume Sales By Category – 2023 Data
Beer trends in Arkansas by volume and dollar sales in 2023.
| Category | Volume Sales 9-liter cases |
|---|---|
| Craft | 1,848 |
| FMBs & Hard Seltzer | 1,628 |
| Super & Super Premium | 2,799 |
| Light | 9,153 |
| Popular | 1,413 |
| Imported | 2,342 |
Source: Beverage Information Group
Alcoholic Beverage Distributors Located In Arkansas
All alcohol sold in the U.S. is sold through a three-tier system. The “middle tier” of the industry, which is made up of wholesalers or importers, receives products from suppliers and manufacturers.
Below, you will find an updated list of the top distributors located in the state of Arkansas.
| Customer Name | Address | City |
|---|---|---|
| Arkansas Wine & Spirits – AR | 1900 E. 15th Street | Little Rock |
| Brother’s Bond Distilling Company – AR | 7401 Hwy 45 South | Ft. Smith |
| Central Distributors – AR (Little Rock) | 2800 Vance Street | Little Rock |
| Custom Beverage – AR | 2305 Cantrell Road | Little Rock |
| De Nux Distributors, LLC | 701 N. Broadway | N Little Rock |
| Diamond Beverage Group – AR | 3853 N Crossover Rd | Fayetteville |
| Glazer’s Beer and Beverage – AR | 11101 Smitty Lane | N Little Rock |
| Glidewell Distributors – AR | 5705 Steep Hill Road | Fort Smith |
| Golden Eagle of Arkansas | 1900 East 15th Street | Little Rock |
| Mike Fisk Enterprises – AR | 1729 Okmulgee Ct | N Little Rock |
| MK Distributors – AR | 310 S Linden St | Pine Bluff |
| Moon Distributors – AR (Little Rock) | 2809 Vance Street | Little Rock |
| Natural State Distributing, LLC | Fayetteville | |
| Natural State, dba Calark – AR | 12103 I-30 | Little Rock |
| PBNWA – AR | 1601 E Pump Station Road | Fayetteville |
| Premium Brands of NWA | 1601 E Pump Station Road | Fayettville |
| RNDC Arkansas LLC – AR | Fayetteville | |
| Southern Glazer’s – AR (N Little Rock) | 11101 Smitty Lane | N Little Rock |
| Southern Glazer’s – AR (Rodgers) | Rogers | |
| Unlimited Bourbon Shop – AR | 13000 Birch Rd | Anchorage |
| Vino Arkansas | 610 S. Ringo Street | Little Rock |
Selling Alcohol In Arkansas
In the state of Arkansas, everything related to alcohol is controlled by the Arkansas Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) Division, which is part of the Department of Finance and Administration.
If you’re looking to sell alcoholic beverages in Arkansas, then you need to know the laws. These laws may vary from county to county. If you’re looking for some of the more commonly asked questions related to the sale of alcohol in AR, then see below. If you don’t find the answers that you’re looking for, please contact us.
FAQs on Arkansas Beer, Wine & Spirits Sales
What are the policies regarding the sale of alcohol on Sundays in Arkansas?
As of February 2025, Arkansas allows counties and cities to authorize the sale of alcoholic beverages for off-premises consumption on Sundays between 10:00 AM and 12:00 midnight.
What are the hours retailers can sell alcohol?
The default hours for selling alcohol in the state of Arkansas are between 7:00 AM and 1:00 AM, Monday through Saturday.
Do Walmart, Target, and CVS sell alcohol in Arkansas?
Yes, retailers such as Walmart, Target, and CVS do sell alcohol, but not all types. They only sell beer and wine. They do not sell hard liquor of any type.
Do they sell liquor, wine, or beer in grocery stores in Arkansas?
Yes, they sell beer and wine in some counties, but not all.
Do they sell liquor, wine, or beer in gas stations in Arkansas?
Yes, in some counties, beer is sold at gas stations in Arkansas, but not all.
What is the alcohol excise tax in Arkansas?
Spirituous Liquor: $2.50/gallon
Premixed Spirituous Liquor: $1/gallon
Light Spirituous Liquor: $.50/gallon
Vinous Liquor: $.75/gallon
Light Wine: $.25/gallon
Beer: $7.50/barrel (32 gallon) on beer 5% ABW or less
Malt Liquor: $.20/gallon
Hard Cider: $7.50/barrel (32 gallon)
When do bars stop selling alcohol in Arkansas?
Bars must stop selling alcohol at 2 AM in the state of AR.
Buying Alcohol In Arkansas – Hours, Locations & Taxes
Arkansas has dry counties where you’re not able to buy any type of alcohol at all. However, not all counties are dry. Here are some answers to the most frequently asked questions related to buying alcohol in Arkansas.
FAQs on Buying Beer, Wine & Liquor in Arkansas
Can you buy liquor in grocery stores in AR?
You can buy beer and wine in grocery stores located in counties that permit consumers to do so. However, you cannot buy spirits in any grocery stores in the state.
Can you buy alcohol in gas stations in Arkansas?
Yes, you can buy beer in gas stations providing that they offer it for purchase to customers. Unless local law does not permit the sale of alcoholic beverages.
Can you buy alcohol on Sunday in AR?
Yes, but it must be at an on-premise retailer i.e. bar or restaurant and the location must not be located in a county where alcohol is prohibited.
Does Arkansas Allow direct-to-consumer shipping?
Direct-to-consumer shipping is allowed for wine only, not distilled spirits and beer.
What times can you buy liquor, wine, or beer in Arkansas?
You can buy liquor, wine, and beer between the hours of 7 AM and 1 AM.
Can you order alcohol to go in Arkansas?
A recent bill authorizes third-party delivery of alcoholic beverages from certain retailers.
Where in Arkansas can you buy hard liquor off-premise?
In Arkansas, hard liquor can be bought only at off-premise retailers such as package stores and liquor stores. You must buy between the authorized hours of sale.
(Data Sources – dfa.arkansas.gov, Beverage Information Group)
At Park Street, we provide services to thousands of clients looking to expand their reach and improve their processes. If you’re looking to grow your brand and focus on marketing while we do the rest, then please reach out to us!
Looking For An Importer, Distributor or Back-Office Solution?
Find out why Park Street is a leading distributor and solution in the wine & spirits industry. Contact us to find out exactly what we can do for your brand.