Legal hurdles cleared, Arkansas’ first self-pour tap wall arrives in Fayetteville

Arkansas’ first self-pour alcohol tap wall is now operational in Fayetteville, ending a lengthy process backed by entrepreneurial perseverance.

In January, Ben Roberts of Bentonville opened a franchise location of Smokin’ Oak Wood-Fired Pizza and Taproom at 3959 N. Steele Blvd.

Roberts is the marketing director at Bentonville headwear retailer Outdoor Cap and its sister company Junk Brands. He opened the restaurant under the holding company So Good Restaurant Group LLC.

Roberts intended to open the restaurant with innovative self-pour technology, which allows patrons of the legal drinking age to use bracelets or other RFID technology to pour their drinks from digitally controlled taps. It’s included in six of the restaurant chain’s seven U.S. locations.

But Arkansas law prohibited using “vending machines” for dispensing alcohol. Roberts went to work. He connected with individuals in Little Rock and initiated discussions with the Alcoholic Beverage Control Board (ABC) to draft legislation allowing self-pour technology in restaurants, bars, hotels and airports — common in 43 other states.

In April, Sen. Josh Bryant (R, Rogers) introduced the bill, which succeeded in the House with 60 votes. The bill passed the entire assembly just two days before the legislative session closed this year, and Senate Bill 475 took effect Aug. 1.

“We think the experience is a better experience for patrons, especially in a casual or fast-casual dining setting,” Roberts said. “The technology also allows us to have less staff and less shrinkage [waste] of our product.”

Smokin’ Oak’s self-serve tap wall uses technology from California-based tech company iPourit. It features a 40-tap draft system pouring a rotating selection of beers, wines, mixed drinks and more. The technology tracks each pouring and stops consumption at 32 ounces of beer and the corresponding equivalent of cocktails, wine and spirits.

A Smokin’ Oak spokeswoman said six of the restaurant’s seven U.S locations have a self-pour taproom.