Photo: Stone’s Throw Brewing

Governor Asa Hutchinson has proclaimed March 1 through March 7 as “Arkansas Craft Beer Week.”

Festivities got underway in Rogers on Sunday, when Natural State Brewing Co. hosted a tap takeover and keg swap featuring Fossil Cove, Bike Rack, Core, and Bentonville Brewing Co.

The Arkansas Brewers Guild also unveiled a new logo to help kick off the week’s events.

The Arkansas Brewers Guild unveiled its new logo to help kick off Arkansas Craft Beer Week. Visit arkansasbrewersguild.org for more information about the organization.

The state’s brewing industry has seen steady growth over the past few years, so there’s plenty to celebrate.

2019 numbers are not yet final, but total production among Arkansas brewers is expected to top the nearly 46,000 barrels made in 2018.

The state’s breweries combined to generate $838 million in economic impact in 2018, good for 26th in the United States. That number is also expected to grow.

“We are the ‘Natural State of Beer,” states Governor Hutchinson’s proclamation. “Where craft breweries are an integral part of their communities…”

Indeed, they are.

Ten years ago, you could count the number of Arkansas breweries on one hand. Now forty are scattered across the state, with several more in planning.

Their taprooms have become an important part of the social fabric. They are not only places to gather with friends, but also places of employment for hundreds across the state.

Arkansas beer drinkers are encouraged to show their support for the industry by visiting a local brewery this week.

Here are a few noteworthy events taking place across the state for Arkansas Craft Beer Week:

Lost Forty Brewing Co. in Little Rock will release Bourbon Barrel-Aged S’Morest Queen on Monday. It’s a stout that features additions of chocolate, graham crackers, and marshmallows. Lost Forty is the biggest Arkansas brewery by volume, having produced nearly 15,000 barrels in 2018.

Lost Forty Brewing Co.

Crisis Brewing Co. in Fayetteville will donate 10% of this week’s profits to the Arkansas Brewers Guild. The small brewery south of Fayetteville’s downtown square typifies the trend of on-premise sales in the craft beer industry.

Gravity BrewWorks in Big Flat will trade kegs with fellow Baxter County breweries Norfork Brewing Co. and Rapp’s Barren Brewing Co. You can find beers from all three breweries at each location this week. They are just a few of the many small-town breweries in Arkansas these days.

Although it’s not billed as an Arkansas Craft Beer Week event, New Province Brewing Co. will celebrate its fourth anniversary on Saturday. On tap will be Barrel-Aged Old-Fashioned Rye Ale. It has additions of orange peel and maraschino cherries, and was aged in red wine barrels that once held a Belgian quadrupel.

New Province Brewing Co.

To cap off the week, Diamond Bear Brewing Co. will host a tap takeover on Saturday. The North Little Rock brewery will feature beer from members of the Arkansas Brewers Guild. Proceeds will benefit the guild.