First Gluten-Free Brewery in Arkansas Now Open In Bentonville
Heather McCombs
April 17, 2025
After only five weeks in business, Stoic Brews Alternative in Bentonville is already making a name for itself as the first gluten-free brewery and taproom in the state of Arkansas.
Longtime Northwest Arkansas residents Rebecca and Jay Davitt opened the brewery and restaurant on March 14. To Rebecca, who is also the brewer, it became a personal mission to create a safe space for people with gluten allergies — somewhere they could not only enjoy locally brewed beer, but feel confident that their meals were completely gluten-free.
Due to health issues, Rebecca has been gluten-free for around a decade. Over the years, she began to dislike going to family gatherings and other outings because of the constant presence of food she couldn’t eat and the follow-up questions she’d get when she couldn’t partake.
“It’s such an isolating feeling. Food is such a huge part of our culture, part of our life,” she said. “When you have these sensitivities it becomes a point of anxiety — I can't have anything to eat there. ... You get to the point where you stop going out.”
At Stoic Brews, everything served onsite is guaranteed gluten-free, and there's a strict no outside food or drink policy.
“I want people to feel safe,” Rebecca said, recalling the times she explained her gluten sensitivity at restaurants, only to be served food that still contained gluten — leaving her sick despite her precautions.
Rebecca points out that there’s a distinct difference between gluten-reduced beer — which has become more popular on brewery menus — and gluten-free beer. With gluten-reduced, the gluten has not been eradicated, and can still cause gut issues even if there are less symptoms.
Rebecca uses gluten-free grains like millet, buckwheat and rice to brew, which is a more complicated and longer process than regular craft beer. She said there are fewer than 30 gluten-free breweries in the U.S.
Jay said that they’ve received positive feedback from those without food allergies who just enjoy the product. With a prime location on 410 SW A St. — the former Peddler’s Pub building — they’ve attracted a steady stream of new faces while continuing to build a loyal base of regulars.
“The community has embraced us in a positive way,” Rebecca said.
“We are having the time of our life,” Jay added. “We’re proud to be able to provide people with a place that they can go, for people who need it, and we’re also proud that it doesn’t matter if you need it, you still like it. And we are just getting all kinds of responses like that.”
Stoic Brews has six staple gluten-free beers on tap: blonde, American IPA, hazy IPA, lager, American stout and Belgian-style witbier. They also serve vodka drinks and a small selection of wines.
Their menu features typical bar food — all completely gluten free — including pizzas, calzones, pretzels, nachos, and pupusas. All of the gluten-free dough is locally by Sandi Sue's Gluten Free Bakery in Bentonville.
They also serve probiotic sodas and have homemade kombucha on tap.
Rebecca plans to have a rotation of seasonal beers throughout the year as well as a new flavor of hard cider.
