Arkansas Alcoholic Beverage Market: Regulations, Statistics, Trends, and Wholesalers
Arkansas laws are strict and uncompromising when it comes to liquor, and more than half of the Arkansas counties are dry. In these dry counties, there’s no legal sale of alcohol in bars or stores and only licensed restaurants can serve alcoholic beverages.
Suppliers, wholesalers, and distributors looking to open operations in Arkansas will be interested in the rules, regulations, and state consumption trends regarding liquor in the Natural State. Read on to also learn about the top brands Arkansans prefer.
Consumption Trends In Arkansas
Arkansas is a state that’s attractive to many within the industry due to consumption growth. You will find charts showcasing the growth in consumption broken down by beer, wine, and spirits. The data is displayed over a five-year period. There’s been a +1.64% CAGR for spirits, -0.48% CAGR for wine, and -0.93% CAGR for beer over this particular 5-year period.
Arkansas Spirits Consumption from 2015-2020 by 9-Liter Cases
Arkansas Wine Consumption from 2015-2020 by 9-Liter Cases
Arkansas Beer Consumption from 2015-2020 by 9-Liter Cases
Arkansas Spirits Volume Sales By Category – 2020 Data
Spirit trends in Arkansas by volume and dollar sales in 2020.
| Category | Volume Sales Thousands, 9-liter cases |
Dollar Sales Millions |
|---|---|---|
| Straight Whiskey | 353 | N/A |
| Canadian Whisky | 159 | N/A |
| Scotch Whisky | 81 | N/A |
| Irish Whiskey | 15 | N/A |
| Gin | 93 | N/A |
| Vodka | 380 | N/A |
| Rum | 91 | N/A |
| Tequila | 162 | N/A |
| Cordials/Liqueurs | 110 | N/A |
| Cocktails | 92 | N/A |
Source: Beverage Information Group
Arkansas Beer Volume Sales By Category – 2020 Data
Beer trends in Arkansas by volume and dollar sales in 2020.
| Category | Volume Sales Thousands, 2.25 Gallon Cases |
Volume Sales barrels |
|---|---|---|
| Craft | 1.9 | 61.2 |
| FMBs & Hard Seltzer | 2.5 | 79.7 |
| Super & Super Premium | 3.1 | 99.7 |
| Light | 9.5 | 304.9 |
| Popular | 1.5 | 49.4 |
| Imported | 2.3 | 75.4 |
Source: Beverage Information Group
Coming Soon: Wine trends in Arkansas by volume and dollar sales in 2020.
The Top 10 Spirits Brands
In Arkansas
- Coming Soon
The Top 10 Table Wine Brands
In Arkansas
- Coming Soon
The Top 10 Domestic Beer Brands
In Arkansas
- Coming Soon
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. They then sell them to distributors who distribute them to retail establishments like bars, restaurants, liquor stores, etc. using internal teams. This three-tier system is required for all alcohol sales in the United States.
Below you will find an updated list of the top distributors located in the state of Arkansas. Need more info on all the alcohol distributors throughout the US? Check out the full list of distributors or fill out the contact form provided.
Wine & Spirits Distributors
Coming Soon
Beer Distributors
Coming Soon
More Distributors in Arkansas (A-Z)
Coming Soon
Self-Pitch Distribution Model
One of the hardest problems with brand development in the US is frequently stated as finding a suitable distributor.
There are hundreds of brands, but there are now fewer distribution businesses to select from in each area as a result of industry consolidation.
So, using Park Street’s self-pitch distribution approach is one of the options accessible to up-and-coming companies.
The self-pitch distribution model is comparable to the three-tier conventional distribution model in that goods is distributed to retailers, but the main distinction is that the supplier is in charge of sales and marketing.
Selling Alcohol In Arkansas
In the state of Arkansas, everything related to alcohol is controlled by the Alcohol Beverage Control, 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 very 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?
Arkansas does not allow the sale of alcohol on Sunday for off-premise retailers unless the local county or municipality as voted to allow it.
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?
Wine
$0.75 per gallon
Beer/Malt
$0.23 per gallon
Liquor
$2.5 per gallon
<5% abv – $0.50 per gallon
<21% abv -$1.00 per gallon
$0.20 per case
3% off-premise
4% on-premise retail taxes
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 assked 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?
The sale of alcohol to go is no longer allowed in the state of Arkansas.
Where in Arkansas can buy hard liquor off-premise?
You can buy hard liquor in Arkansas at off-premise retailers such as package stores and liquor stores only. You must buy between the authorized hours in which they are selling.
(Data Sources – dfa.arkansas.gov, walton.uark.edu)
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