ROGERS -- A planned whiskey distillery would add another craft alcohol option to the city's growing brewery scene.
Fox Trail Distillery was approved for a permit for distilling at 3602 W. Walnut St. during a Planning Commission meeting Tuesday.
James M. Tinnin Jr., distillery owner, said he plans to build on the site. Development approval will be needed before construction starts.
The distillery likely would open in spring 2017 and include tasting tours, said Tinnin, the grandson of J.B. Hunt. Hunt founded J.B. Hunt Transport Services, one of the largest transportation logistics companies in North America.
"I am a very private person, but I wanted to take something I am passionate about and start a company," Tinnin said. "I have a passion for Rogers. My grandfather invested a lot here. It felt like this could be complimentary to this region."
Multiple breweries have popped up in the city in recent years. The latest is New Providence Brewing, which opened in March.
Derek McEnroe, company founder and brewmaster, said the response so far has been positive.
"Everyone seems to enjoy the beer," McEnroe said. "We also are starting to push out distribution. We have five accounts right now."
A brewing culture has started in the city, McEnroe said.
"We go to other brewers and try their beer and talk about our setups," McEnroe said. "There is a shared learning by seeing how someone else does stuff. Everyone is very open so everyone can make better beer."
Lacy Bray, Ozark Beer Co. co-owner, said her brewery has expanded production and distribution to the point of needing more space. The brewery opened in winter 2013 at 1700 S. First St. and in several months is moving to 109 N. Arkansas.
The company has slowly expanded production from 2,400 barrels of beer last year to an expected 3,400 barrels this year, she said. The new location will have about 10,000 square feet for brewing. The tasting room will grow from 100 square feet to 3,000.
The brewery distributed in Benton and Washington counties until recently. It now serves Fort Smith and portions of central Arkansas, she said.
"We have taken a very conservative grid pattern," Bray said. "We never want to take on another market or area until we are sure we can provide the beer without the quality of our beer suffering. We have taken a very slow approach to this."
The more craft alcohol selection in the region, the better for everyone, Bray said. Multiple craft breweries can draw people to an area, she said.
"As long as we are all making really great products that people can enjoy, it will help us all out," Bray said.
Tinnin also believes everyone can work together.
"It is not a competitive thing as much as us working as a guild or society," Tinnin said. "Ozark and Core have set the bar high for us to come in and really try to do what they are already doing successfully."
Core Brewing and Distilling Co. started in Springdale and one of its six pubs is in Rogers.
Tinnin plans to follow that example by distilling a quality product. This includes using high-end equipment along with locally sourced ingredients.
"We have been doing research for two years in Louisville, Ky.," Tinnin said. "We have been testing a huge amount of whiskey to create the best recipes for Arkansas."
NW News on 05/06/2016